United States Boy Scout Uniforms: The 1989 Jamboree

Surveying the uniforms at the Nation Jamborees is a good reflection of evolving U.S. Scout uniform trends.

Background

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.

Interesting Developments

Foreign Scouts

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. "We came to show you what we're all about and I wanted to see what you're all about," Ilya Khoroshikh, 15, said through an interpreter. Unlike many European boys, few Russians speak English. The group of Scouts and leaders that traveled from the Siberian region represented the first Russians ever to attend a U.S. Jamboree. Ivan Kruchkov, 15, said he's surprised by how easy it has been to be accepted by Americans. This was the first trip to the U.S. for four youths from Irkutsk, the capital of western Siberia, and their leader, Anna Shobodoeva. Their ability to speak English varies, but the language barrier didn't prevent them from participating fully in Jamboree activities. "Once you get to know each other, language isn't that important," said Khoroshikh, a brown-haired youth with an easygoing manner and friendly smile. It's easy to meet other kids.

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 Japan.

"You walk around and everybody comes up to you. I feel very special," said Adrian Tan Khiang Loong of Singapore. Watching Americans on TV isn't like meeting them. I've made lots of friends." The foreign Scouts, dressed in their distinctive uniforms, can easily be spotted amid the ocean of Army-green shorts worn by American Scouts. Americans are drawn, like bees to honey, to the international Scouts, ready to pepper them with a barage of questions about their counties. Most American Scouts soon find that the foreign Scouts no more about America than they do about the foreign Scouts' countries.

Like their American counterparts, the Siberians enjoy hiking, climbing mountains and weekend camping. But they're accustomed to more rugged conditions and heavier, less sophisticated gear. The more difficult, the better, Shobodoeva said. Of the Jamboree, she said, The challenge has been learning how to use the camping technology. Ryan DeChent, of Veneta, Ore., said the Siberians were a quick study when he showed them how to operate the propane stoves used to cook meals. "It's been quite an experience. I found out quickly that they like to have a lot of fun, with water fights, pranks with ice," DeChent, 16, said.

The foreign Scouts are scattered across this 6,500-acre tent city, to give American Scouts the best opportunity to meet the foreign boys. A hub for Scouts from around the globe is a tent near the heart of the encampment that resembled a youthful United Nations. Ringing a table at the flag-draped international hosting tent were Scouts from Denmark, Panama, Singapore and Tanzania. They talked about their homelands. They taught each other how to greet someone in their native language and they shared American slang they've managed to pick up. "There are a lot of advantages and no disadvantages to being from another country," said Claus Kjaergaard, 18, of Denmark. "I want to be an international Scout again."

Uniform Items

The required Jamboree uniform is the summer uniform with shortpants and kneesocks. The boys also wear distinctive Jamboree caps, neckerchiefs, and T-shirts.

Summer Uniform

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.

Figure 1.--.

Jamboree Items