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" |
| 2010 |
July
26 - August 4 Fort A.P. Hill, VA |
43,000 |
“Celebrate
100 years of Scouting” |
| 2013 |
July
15 - 24 The Summit, VA |
30,037
|
"Go Big, Get Wild"
|
2017
|
July 19 - July 27
The Summit, VA
|
30,000
|
"Live Scouting's
Adventure"
|
2023
|
July 19 - July 28
The Summit, VA
|
15,000
|
"Forward"
|
2026
|
July
22 - July 31 The Summit, VA
|
|
|
.
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: February 27, 2024
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