Two troops from Buffalo Trail Council traveled to the 1977 National Jamboree by bus.  They departed on Monday, July 25 and returned on August 13, 1977.  We do not have the troop number or the list of participants for the second troop  We know that 72 Scouts and 8 leaders traveled to the Jamboree in two buses, chartered from Greyhound Bus Lines.

The contingent did sightseeing in St. Louis, Chicago, Greenfield Village in the Detroit area, Niagara Falls, New York and Washington, D.C. enroute to the Jamboree.  On the way home they visited the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

The 1977 National Jamboree was held at Moraine State Park, Pennsylvania, August 3-9.  Of the 28,637 people in attendance at the Jamboree, 24,430 were Scouts and leaders and 3,617 were Jamboree staff.  In addition, there were 375 military personnel and 222 exhibitors and others.  There were 250 International Scouts and leaders from 28 different countries.  That did not include the estimated 70,000 plus visitors. 

Activities enjoyed by the Scouts during the Jamboree included a Merit Badge Midway, Arts and Science Fair, Brownsea Camp and Fishing and Boating.  There were also six campwide patrol activities that stressed Scout involvement: "Fox" Hunt, Action Archery, Marksmanship Range, Obstacle Course, Orienteering and an Azimuth Trail.  And of course, patch trading, Regional Campfires and lots of exhibits 

The opening show included a multi-media presentation, a re-creation of the country's history, a parade of Scouting, the Re'Generation group of 13 collegians from all over the United States, Country Current, a country/bluegrass band that was part of the U. S. Navy Band, and finally the National Jamboree Band. 

One of the campwide events during the Jamboree as a get acquainted game.  Each Scout was given a card with a large letter on one side and space for names and addresses of his "game" associates on the other side.  Scouts ranged across their regional camp area, linking up with Scouts bearing the different letters.  When a team had formed "THIRD CENTURY USA," the members wrote the names and addresses of fellow team members on their cards so they could contact them in the future.  Then the team reported to the regional headquarters, rung a liberty bell, and received a bicentennial souvenir for each member of the team. 

There were heavy rainstorms on Saturday and the troops in the Western Region received more water than anyone else. More than 400 Scouts had to be moved to higher ground.  One Scout, Cal D. Armstrong, of Troop 792, Western Region Subcamp 5, was struck by lighting that Saturday night while running between camps.  He was taken to Jameson Memorial Hospital where he remained for the rest of the Jamboree. 

Burl Ives was a hit at the closing show.  Also in the show was the Air Force Mach 1 rock band, the National Jamboree Band, and Re'Creation, the University of Pennsylvania choral group.  As at every Jamboree, the show was closed with the traditional candlelight ceremony and a 3,000 firework show put on by the Zambelli Fireworks Company.

We are in need of more information on this troop, and the second troop, including group photos.

Updated: April 28, 2004

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