Figure 1.--The First U.S, National Scout Jamboree was held in 1937 on the ground of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Here the boys are around the Washington Mounument on the morning of July 4th for religious services. Later there was a fire works display, a tradition on the Mall for Independence Day.

The first American Scout Jamboree was held in 1937. They have been held at different intervals and at different locations around the country, including both costs. In one year the jamboree was held at two sites simultaneously. Jamborees are now held every 4 years at a permanent site--Fort Polk, Virginia near rederickburg. Scences from the various jamborees are a good indicator of changing uniform styles. All the Jamborees have required the short pants uniform, even at the first jampboress when most Scouts were wearing knickers or long pants uniformns. The jamborees were then held around the country as a means to promoting Scouting nationally. Since 1981, the U.S. Army has allowed the BSA to use Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia as the home location of national Scout jamborees. A jamboree is held for ten consecutive days and offers many activities for youth participants and the 300,000 members of the general public who visit it. It is considered to be Scouting at its best. We have some information on specific U.S. national Scout jamborees.

Planned Jamboree (1935)

The first National Jamboree was planned for Washington D.C. in 1935. It ws designed to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the BSA. It had to be cancelled due to a polio epidemic.

1st National (1937)

The postponed 1st National Jamboree was finally held in 1937. As was planned in 1935, the Jamboree was held in Washington, D.C.

2nd National (1950)

The BSA did not conceive the idea of holding the Jamboree on a regular basis. And World War II intervened that interdered with large national events. As a War measure, Americans were asked to keep travel to a minimu,. The next jamboree wasn't held until 1950 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

3rd National (1953)

The Fifth National Jamboree was held at Irving Ranch, Santa Ana (today Irvine). The event brought over 50,000 Boy Scouts to Southern California, not just from most of the U.S. states, but also from foreign countries such as Mexico and Sweden. It was held July 17-23, 1953. The Jamboree was the first ever held west of Mississippi River. The site of the Jamboree is located where today's Newport Center and Eastbluff communities in Newport Beach now stand. Scouts got oranges when they arrived by train. At the height of the festivities, the Jamboree was a city unto itself. People called it, "Jamboree Town". Peggy Goetz, wrote an article about the Jamboree which appeared in the Irvine World News, "It had a fire company, a bank, a theater, a hospital, a telephone office, a U.S. Post Office, stores and even a zoo. People called it "Tent City" and "Jamboree Town." It had about 50,000 residents living in more than 25,000 tents." The Scouts enjoyed all kinds of expeiences on their way to and from the Jamboree. One Scout recalls visiting Carlsbad Cavers, Grand Canyon, Reno, and much more. One Scout recalls that Reno "was never the same after they unleashed a whole train full of scouts on the town's slots, casinos, etc where we did not know we were not allowed." Surveying the uniforms at the Nation Jamborees is a good reflection of evolving U.S. Scout uniform trends.

4th National (1957)

The BSA held the Fourth National Boy Scout Jamboree at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania in 1957. Valley Forge was the location of the Continental Army's winter quaters during 1777-78. This was the second winter of the War and their commander, General Washington, had difficulty obtaining adequate supplies, but it was here that the Continental Army that fought toe-to-toe with the British was forged. The location provided opportunities for the Scout not only to visit Valley Forge itself, but many other interesting historical sites, especially the ones in Philadelphia. The official neckerchief issued the boys was red, white, and blue with a Jamboree seal at the back. There was also a round pocket patch issued. There was also a World Jambore Held in 1957 because it was the 50th anniversary of Lord Baden-Powell founding the Scouting movement. A newsletter was printed, Jamboree Journal on each day of the Jamboree.

5th National (1960)

The 5th National Jamboree was held at Colorado Springs, Clorado. This continued the policy of alernating between coadts. The attendance totaled 53,378. The Jamboree was held as part of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, known at the Golden Jubilee Year of Scouting. An Explosion of an aerial bomb signaled the opening Friday at 9 AM of the 5th National Boy Scout Jamboree. A newspaper report indicated, ""Simultaneously, the flags of the 50 states and U. S. possession will be raised on lofty flagpoles extending parallel in two long line in this makeshift city of some 56,000 Scouts form all over the world. At the same time, section flags will be elevated over 2,400 wind swept acres now blanketed with 26,000 tents basking in the shadows of snow-tipped Pikes Peak." Thevjamboree neckerchief was yellow with a red, white, and blue border.

6th National (1964)

The Sixth American National Jamboree was held at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. This was of course where Gen. George Washington wintered his Conytinental Army during the bitter weathr of 1777-78. It proved to be a terrible ordeal. The British had real money to buy supplies for their Army. Washington has virtually worthless paper Continentals and almost lost his Army. The motto was appropritely "Strengthen America's Heritage". We not only see Scouts, but we see a lot of Exploers t the Jmboree.It was held July 17-23, 1964. Attendance was 50,960 Scouts. It was one of the two single-location Jmborees with attendace in the 50,000s. After this attendance begn to decline, we think primrily because Boy Scout mmbership begn to decline. Several factors are involved. There were more activity alternatives for children. Boys seem to have been less intereted in wring unoforms. We suspect that the Vietnam War affected how young people and their parents viewed patriotism and the Scouts were a decidely patriotic organizations.

7th National (1969)

11th National (1981)

Surveying the uniforms at the Nation Jamborees is a good reflection of evolving U.S. Scout uniform trends. The Eleventh Natioanl Jamboree was held at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia. The Fort is named after an important Confederate general in the American Civil War. This was the first National Jamboree to be held at Fort A.P. Hill, but all subsequent National Jamboprees have been held there, taking advantage of the facilities offered by the Army, some of which have become permanent. Although not an official activity. One of the most popular activity at the Jamboree was trading Scout patches. The 1981 Natioanl Jamboree was a transitional event. Most of the Scouts at the Jaboree wore the new uniform that was just introduced in 1981. The Scouts seen trading patches wear the new uniform. A few units and many individuals still had the old olive green uniform that American Scouts had worn since the 1940s. As a result it was possible to see both uniforms. It was the last tume that large numbers of American Scouts could be seen wearing the old uniform. and the old uniform for the last time.

12th National (1985)

13th National (1989)

The National Jamboree has found its permanent home at Fort A.P. Hill bear Fredricksburg, Virginia. It is held every 4 years. The Jamboree is held for 10-days and Scouts from all l 50 states and territories. The 1993 Jamboree drew more than 500 scouts from 48 different countries, the largest number of foreign Scouts to attend an American National Jamboree. Mongolians, like the Russians, traveled to the event for the first time. Others came from distant places like Egypt and Tanzania, Belize and Guatemala, Malta and The 1993 Jamboree was notable because it was the first American Jamboree attended by Russian Scouts. The Russian presence would have been unthinkable only 4 years ago at the 1979 Jamboree, as Scouting was still banned in Russia. There were 20 Russian Scouts who traveled from Russia to bridge the gap between East and West. Japan. The required Jamboree uniform is the summer uniform with shortpants and kneesocks. The boys also wear distinctive Jamboree caps, neckerchiefs, and T-shirts. In the 1990s American Scouts more commonly wore shorts so many boys did not have to buy the summer uniform just for the Jamboree. The shorts worn by the boys were longer and baggier than worn by boys at the 1989 Jamboree.

14th National (1993)

15th National (1997)

16th National (2001)