National Jamborees
Boy Scouts of America
The first Boy Scouts of America
National Jamboree was scheduled to be held in Washington, D.C. in 1935
to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Scouting in America. Unfortunately,
the Jamboree had to be canceled due to prevalence of infantile paralysis
(Polio) in Washington. It was canceled just a few days before most
of the groups from this part of Texas were to depart for the Jamboree.
Since that time, some sixteen
National Jamborees have been held. The last Jamboree was held in
the summer of 2005. At the first Jamboree, finally held in 1937,
Dan Beard lit the opening campfire using flint and steel. Scouts
from all 48 states brought the wood that was used in the campfire.
There were some 27,232 Scouts camped on the Capital's Mall under the Washington
Monument.
The purpose of a Jamboree:
-
Bring boys and leaders a clear
understanding of and a deeper sense of commitment to the ideals of Scouting.
-
Build - for those who attend
and for those who remain at home - a deep pride in belonging to one of
the free world's great youth movements.
-
Show America and the world a
model of democratic action as conducted by a great youth movement in a
free society
-
Give boys a rich and genuine
Scouting experience of which they can truly say, "This is Scouting at its
best."
-
Emphasize the important need
for physical fitness and for conservation of our natural resources in today's
world.
-
Establish and promulgate Scouting
activities and methods which will find their way into the regular programs
of troops across the nation.
-
Impress upon the youth of America
the need to "Be Prepared" for the challenges of the future.
-
Help boys know and love America
through learning more about the principles and history of our democracy,
living and sharing with boys from all parts of the nation, and seeing America
en route to and from the jamboree.
-
Provide an opportunity to meet
and camp with brothers Scouts from many parts of the world.
-
Inspire every participant to
return to his home, troop, chartered organization, and community to tell
the story of the freedom that is ours and the greatness of America.*
* Taken from the 1981 Jamboree
Troop Leader Guide.
Here are the dates of all
the Jamborees held since 1937, attendance and theme:
| Year |
Dates |
Attendance |
Theme of
Jamboree |
| 1935 |
Washington, D. C. (Canceled) |
|
|
| 1937 |
June 30 - July 9 Washington,
D. C. |
27,238 |
|
| 1950 |
June 27 - July 6 Valley
Forge, PA |
47,163 |
"Strengthen Liberty" |
| 1953 |
July 17 - July 23
Irvine Ranch, CA |
45,401 |
"Forward on Liberty's Team" |
| 1957 |
July 12 - July 18
Valley Forge, PA |
52,580 |
"Onward For God And My Country" |
| 1960 |
July 22 - 28 Colorado
Springs, CO |
56,377 |
(Golden Jubilee) "For God
and Country" |
| 1964 |
July 17 - July 23
Valley Forge, PA |
50,960 |
"Strengthen America's Heritage" |
| 1969 |
July 16 - July 22
Farragut State Park, ID |
34,251 |
"Building to Serve" |
| 1973 |
August 3 - August
9 Moraine State Park, PA (Attendance at both Jamborees) -- |
73,610 |
"Growing Together" |
| 1973 |
August 1 - August
7 Farragut State Park, ID (Attendance at both Jamborees) |
73,610 |
"Growing Together" |
| 1977 |
August 3 - August
9 Moraine State Park, PA |
28,601 |
"Forward Together" |
| 1981 |
July 29 - August 4
Fort A. P. Hill, VA |
29,765 |
"Scouting's Reunion with
History" |
| 1985 |
July 24 - August 30
Fort A. P. Hill, VA |
32,625 |
(Diamond Jubilee) "The Spirit
Lives On" |
| 1989 |
August 3 - August 9
Fort A. P. Hill, VA |
32,717 |
"The Adventure Begins...With
America's Youth" |
| 1993 |
August 4 - August 10
Fort A. P. Hill, VA |
34,449 |
"Scouting...A bridge to
the Future" |
| 1997 |
July 28 - August
6 Fort A. P. Hill, VA |
36,015 |
"Character Counts...Be Prepared
for the 21st Century" |
| 2001 |
July 23 - August
1 Fort A. P. Hill, VA |
42,002 |
"Strong Values, Strong Leaders...Character
Counts" |
| 2005 |
July 25 - August
3 Fort A. P. Hill, VA |
43,000 |
"Character Not Only Counts,
It Multiplies" |
Here
are the stories, photos and list of participants of the councils from this
area that we have been able to search out their history. The councils
have sent a troop or delegation to all the Jamborees either by train, bus
or plane. The Texas Trails Council sent its first Jamboree Troops
in 2005.
Last Updated: November
22, 2007
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