The Scouts Adult Training Scheme Jamborees of the Past

Shortly after the start of in 1908, its tents! A camp site in the middle of the rapid and unexpected spread in countries metropolis is difficult, if not impossible, to find outside the British Isles caused Lord Robert and a camp of 5,000 Scouts was, therefore, set Baden-Powell, the Founder of Scouting, to up in the Old Deer Park at Richmond, whilst the realise that a gettogether of Scouts of all rest slept at Olympia ready for the following nationalities must sooner or later be organised. days' performances. But any ideas he may have had were stifled by In the great side halls at Olympia various exhibits the outbreak of War in 1914. were on show, even a tent was something of a In 1917, the Tenth Anniversary of the first novelty in those days, and demonstrations of camp on Brownsea Island, it had been hoped to handicrafts by Scouts and Wolf Cubs went on hold some kind of celebration to mark the event. non-stop. So it was that the first World Scout Things being as they were it was decided that an Jamboree became more of a display and "Imperial and International Jamboree" be held as exhibition than a get-together camp. soon as circumstances would permit. As the What had begun as a Scout celebration turned War finished in 1918 it was decided to hold it into a great demonstration of international two years later in 1920. Incidentally, a similar goodwill. Towards the close of the Jamboree a position was reached when it was decided to tribute was paid which was not a scheduled part hold the 6th in 1947, two of the programme. In the great arena packed years after the Second World War. with Scouts and in the presence of many 1st World Scout Jamboree - Olympia, thousands of spectators, B-P was , England, 1920 spontaneously acclaimed by the boys as "Chief The 1st Jamboree was quite an Scout of the World" - a title which no occasion; nothing like it had ever government or King could confer and one which before been attempted, and it lapsed on his death. took a lot of courage by B-P and his team of organisers to make it At the closing ceremony B-P gave a parting the success it undoubtedly turned out to be. message, as full of meaning today as it was on this historic occasion. Here is an extract: The 1920 Jamboree would bear little resemblance to the World Scout Jamborees of "Brother Scouts. Differences exist between the today. The most outstanding difference would peoples of the world in thought and sentiment, be that the first Jamboree was held indoors, at just as they do in language and physique. The Jamboree has taught us that if we exercise Olympia in the heart of London. The great mutual forbearance and give and take, then Olympia arena had to have a foot of earth and there is sympathy and harmony turf laid especially to enable the Scouts to pitch

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If it be your will, let us go forth fully determined in 1929 and celebrated the 21st Anniversary of that we will develop among ourselves and our the publication of Scouting for Boys. Thirty five boys that comradeship, through the world wide countries were represented by 30,000 Scouts, spirit of the Scout brotherhood, so that we may plus another 10,000 British Scouts who took the help to develop peace and happiness in the opportunity of camping in the vicinity. It was world and goodwill among men". certainly the greatest assembly of international youth the world had ever seen up to that time. A number of lessons were learned from this first Two things stand out from the Arrowe Park Jamboree and these were carefully noted for Jamboree - the numbers and the mud. It rained future guidance. An indoor display limits the so much that the clay soil could not absorb the activity and prevents a full demonstration of water and the site soon resembled a sea of mud. Scouting, which is an outdoor Movement. It was - Godollo, also realised that above all else, a Jamboree is a , 1933 means of developing a spirit of good The 4th World Scout Jamboree was comradeship between the boys of many nations held in the Royal Forest of Godollo, 11 and the more that aspect can be stressed, the miles from Budapest, and was more successful a Jamboree becomes. attended by 25,000 Scouts from 34 - , nations. , 1924 The 2nd World Scout It was notable for the excellent weather. The Jamboree was held near assembled Scouts were thankful for the shade Copenhagen, Denmark, in which the trees of the Royal Forest afforded. 1924. The Jamboree camp lasted for seven Scouts who attended this gathering will days and was remember particularly the pleasing sight of B-P making his rounds of the camp site on a followed by seven days of remarkable hospitality magnificent brown charger. It was also most in the homes of the Danes. Five thousand Scouts noticeable that the whole Hungarian nation had from 35 nations assembled for a week under co-operated to make the event a success. canvas, the first time such a huge camp had been planned. A special Rally was held which was 5th World Scout Jamboree - Vogelenzang, Holland, 1937 honoured by the presence of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Denmark. The Jamboree This Jamboree is remembered more proved a great success and once again Scouting particularly as the last Jamboree which B-P was able to attend before his had shown the world something new. death in January 1941. Queen 3rd World Scout Jamboree - Arrowe Park, Wihelmina opened the Jamboree and before her Birkenhead, England, 1929 were assembled 27,000 Scouts from 51 The 3rd World Scout Jamboree, countries - including 8,000 from the British the coming of age Jamboree, was Empire B-P was 81 when he attended this held at Arrowe Park, Birkenhead, Jamboree and in his message to Scouts of the

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World he said: "I... am nearing the end of my life. region not far from the little town of Bad Ischl. Most of you are at the beginning, and I want your The Jamboree was organised by voluntary Scout lives to be happy and successful. You can make Leaders in their spare time, and the Austrian them so by doing your best to carry out the Scout Scouts worked on the site for two years to save Law all your days, whatever your station and costs and ensure the amenities of a Jamboree wherever you are...Now goodbye. God bless you campsite. all! God bless you all!" It was as though he knew that he would not be Numbers were limited to 15,000 and none will able to attend another Jamboree and was giving forget the first night when, as a welcoming his blessing to the Scouts of many nations. gesture, the Austrian Scouts lit beacons on the tops of each of the mountains surrounding the 6th World Scout Jamboree - Moisson, site. All in all it was a tremendous achievement France, 1947 by a country still under military occupation. What B-P could not have known was that in such a short time the 8th World Scout Jamboree - Niagara-on- world would again be plunged into theLake, Canada, 1955 conflict. The Scouts throughout the This was the first World Scout world thought of their Jamborees which should Jamboree to be held outside Europe. have been held in 1941 and 1945. It is significant The setting was beautiful rolling that with the end of the War in 1945 plans were parkland, at Niagara-on-the-Lake, immediately laid for a Jamboree to be held in Canada. 11,000 Scouts attended 1947, and France, so recently liberated, invited this great gathering which was notable for the the Scouts of all nations. Despite the number of contingents which crossed the overwhelming difficulties which confronted the Atlantic by air to attend - 1,000 from the United organisers the "Jamboree of Peace" was a Kingdom alone. tremendous success. The most outstanding feature, however, was Twenty five thousand Scouts from more than 70 the tremendous hospitality accorded to the different lands gathered on the flat, rather open Scouts by the people of Canada. Not only did site on the banks of the River Seine. Peace and they raise money to help Scouts from the "soft goodwill emerged stronger and more virile than currency" areas, but they welcomed them and ever. lavished friendship and understanding 7th World Scout Jamboree - Bad Ischl, wherever they met. Austria, 1951 , The Jubilee This Jamboree, held 4 years later, Jamboree - Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire, took place in a country still suffering England, 1957 from long years of hardship. For this To celebrate the Jubilee of the reason the 1951 Jamboree in Movement and the Centenary of Austria was termed the "Jamboree of Simplicity". its Founder B-P, a combined The site was a golf course set amongst the Jamboree, Scouters' Indaba and picturesque mountains in the Salzkammergut

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Rover Moot was held in Sutton Park - a Prince Constantine, Chief Scout of Greece. Other beautiful natural park of 2,400 acres. Thirty members of the Greek Royal Family including the three thousand Scouts from 90 countries Greek King and Queen visited the 11 day event. camped for 12 days in weather which ranged Sir Charles Maclean, Chief Scout of the from a heat wave to a storm which flooded Commonwealth, attended the Jamboree and at a special ceremony presented H.R.H. Crown parts of the huge camp site. Many thousands Prince Constantine with the 's more took the opportunity of camping in the highest award for Scouting, The Silver Wolf. surrounding countryside. Opened by H.R.H.

The Duke of Gloucester, visited by Her 12th World Scout Jamboree - Farragut State Majesty the Queen and the Prime Minister, Mr Park, USA, 1967 Harold Macmillan, and closed by the World With its theme "For Friendship" the Chief Guide Olave, Lady Baden-Powell, it was 12th World Scout Jamboree the first Jamboree held in England to have its attracted 12,000 Scouts from over own commemorative postage stamps. One 100 countries including 1,300 from special aspect was the overwhelming the UK, the largest contingent from hospitality offered to the participants by the outside the North American continent. For the people of the UK, both before and after the UK Scouts, dressed in their smart new uniforms, event. it was a highlight to their Diamond Jubilee year.

10th World Scout Jamboree - Laguna, Amongst the distinguished visitors were Olave, Philippines 1959 Lady Baden-Powell (widow of the Founder of The first World Scout Jamboree Scouting), and Hubert H Humphrey, to be held in Asia, it was VicePresident of the United States. Memorable attended by 12,000 Scouts from features of the camp included a reconstruction of 69 countries including a carefully Baden-Powell's Brownsea Island camp, the selected contingent of 105 from specially stocked fishing area and other water the UK which made the outward and homeward activities. Also, a visit to a real wild-west rodeo journey by air. The trip cost each British Scout and a repeat of the very successful "Friendship £300, raised in various ways. Wide Game" introduced at the Greek Jamboree

in 1963. 11th World Scout Jamboree - Marathon, Greece, 1963 13th World Scout Jamboree - Asagiri Held on the plain of Marathon, Heights, Japan, 1971 scene of the famous battle in 490 Set in the foothills of Mount Fuji, B.C. between the ancient Greeks the 13th World Scout Jamboree and Persians. The Jamboree was will be considered by many to attended by 10,394 Scouts from 89 have been aptly numbered, for it countries, the largest contingent being 1,498 attracted an unwelcome visitor in Scouts from the UK (20 chartered aircraft took the shape of Typhoon Oliver! The part in this, the biggest UK Scout airlift ever). 20,000 Scouts, including 437 Scouts and The trip cost each British Scout £85. Attending Venture Scouts and 49 adult Leaders from the the Jamboree every day was H.R.H. Crown

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UK, found themselves amidst a sea of black mud organised in various parts of the world so no one and buffeted by high winds for close on three missed out on an International experience. days. Conditioned previously by camping in "typical British summer weather", many of the 15th World Scout Jamboree - Kananaskis UK Scouts were able to last out the trying Country, Canada, 1983 conditions and help their less fortunate "The Spirit Lives On" was the neighbours in the waterlogged 800 acre camp inspiring theme of the 15th site. Despite the typhoon, the Scouts managed to World Scout Jamboree held in carry out many of the planned activities including Kananaskis Country, an area of a World Scout Forum, expeditions up Mount Fuji Provincial Park, 4,000 feet up in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, 80 miles and an International Evening with displays of west of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. national skills, dancing and song. 1,345 UK Scouts were amongst a total 14th World Scout Jamboree - Lillehammer, attendance of over 15,000 Scouts from nearly Norway, 1975 100 countries. "The Spirit Lives On" was His Majesty King Olav V certainly in evidence in the great amount of opened "Nordjamb '75", as it international good-will pervading the Jamboree became known, in July 1975 and in the warm hospitality of the Canadians. in the presence of 17,000 The backwoods location was given added realism through the intrusion into camp of bears, Scouts from 94 countries. The British contingent, moose and other wild life from time to time! led by Lord Baden Powell, was 1,624 strong and included Scouts from Branches in Bermuda, Hong 16th World Scout Jamboree - Cataract Park, Kong and Rhodesia. This Jamboree was a fine Sydney, Australia, 1987 example of international co-operation on the part Held at Cataract Park, a specially of the five Nordic countries responsible for its constructed Scout tent town organisation. The happy relationships that situated on a 160 hectare site near developed were in large measures due to the Sydney, this was the first World Scout Jamboree warm hospitality given to almost every visiting to be held in the Southern Hemisphere. Under Scout in the homes of the hosts. As well as the theme "Bringing the World Together", traditional pursuits such as hiking, orienteering 16,000 Scouts from over 80 countries attended and camping, this Jamboree included in the the Jamboree with around 13,000 more in programme several activities involving modern attendance on "visiting day". The 850 strong UK technology. contingent included 18 Ranger Guides (the first time Members of The Guide Association have World Scout Jamboree Year – 1979 taken part in a World Scout Jamboree), Mrs Betty The 15th World Scout Jamboree was scheduled Clay, daughter of the Founder, and 11 members to be held in Iran in 1979. However, the regime of the Baden-Powell family, 9 of whom are direct of the Shah of Iran was toppled in a revolution descendents of B-P. The opening ceremony of and the Jamboree was cancelled. The year was the Jamboree, which took place at midnight on designated ‘World Scout Jamboree Year’ and, at 31st December 1987, was the first official event very short notice a series of camps were of Australia's Bicentennial celebrations.

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17th World Scout Jamboree - Mount Sorak entertainment was provided by various walk-in National Park, South Korea, 1991 fun activities and stalls at the Plaza, in the middle 'Many Lands One World' was the of the Jamboree Site. theme which brought together 16,000 young people from more Everyone was impressed by the superb than 130 countries in the beautiful organisation before, during and after the Mount Sorak National Park. The location was a Jamboree. A new standard was established for few kilometres from the disputed border with World Scout Jamborees of the future. North Korea and some 200km, or six hours by road, from Seoul, the capital city. 19th World Scout Jamboree - Chile 1998/9 From 27 December 1998 to 6 The United Kingdom Contingent was made up January 1999, the first Jamboree to of 1,407 people including just over 50 take place in Latin America was held representatives from the Guides. As part of its at 'Picarquin' in Chile's central zone, contribution, the U.K. transported a replica famous for vineyards and orchards, Brownsea Island camp to re-enact Baden- approximately 70 kms south of Santiago. A total Powell's 1907 experiment in Scouting. It became of almost 31,000 participants took part from 157 the most photographed and filmed event at the countries. Jamboree.

With a theme of 'Building Peace Together' this The Jamboree started with bad weather. Rain Jamboree was quite different from those of and flooding provided major problems. The recent times and reflected much of what is opening and closing ceremonies were typical of Scouting in South America. Activities masterpieces of showmanship designed to rival were patrol orientated and included a 'Day of those of the Olympic Games. U.K. Scouts also Service' where the patrol helped in the experienced home hospitality in Korea and Japan refurbishment of facilities in local villages, and and a stay at a luxury hotel. 'The Earth That Provides' which saw participants 18th World Scout Jamboree - The visiting typical Chilean industrial and agricultural Netherlands, 1995 centres in the area close to the Jamboree and This Jamboree took place on hikes of varying standards. There was also an reclaimed land near Droten, in enormous 'Global Development Village' and a Flevoland. Over 2,800 memorable New Year’s Eve party. participants from the UK formed part of the 28,000 strong event, Many new initiatives were used throughout the enjoying the superb weather and vast range of 10 days of the Jamboree, such as on-site activities. The theme was "the future starts supermarkets using a debit card for food today" and a major attraction was the Global purchases and every participant's details being Development Village, with Scouts from all over stored electronically. the world keen to share experiences and learn more about other peoples' ways of life. Lighter The UK Contingent was the fourth largest, with

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only Brazil, Argentina and the hosts having more 21st World Scout Jamboree - United participants, and totalled 1,982. This figure Kingdom, 2007 included participants from across the UK and “One World, One Promise” was also 3 Scouts and their Leader from the Falkland the theme for the Jamboree Islands, who may never be so close to a Jamboree which took place from the 28 again! July to the 8 August 2007 at Hylands Park, Chelmsford, 20th World Scout Jamboree - Thailand, Essex. 40,000 participants from around the 2002/3 world attended making it the biggest Jamboree ‘Share our World, Share our yet experienced. The opening ceremony was Cultures’, promoting peace and attended by Prince William and the Duke of Kent. The site was divided into 5 Hubs. These international friendship through were Tropical, Ocean, Mountain, Island and challenging activities, thought Desert. provoking cultural experiences and simply being

together bought together 30,000 Scouts at On the 30 July around three hundred Scouts left Sattahip, Chonburi Province, Thailand from the the Jamboree site to travel to Brownsea Island 28th Dec 2002 – 8th Jan 2003. where they took part in the Sunrise Ceremony to

celebrate the start of Scouting 100 years before The UK Contingent was 3000 strong and when Baden-Powell held an experimental camp enjoyed a Thailand experience where they toured Bangkok and celebrated Christmas in style. The on the island to test out the scheme of Scouting. contingent included two patrols – one from the During the Jamboree period 42,000 visitors from Solomon Islands and one from Malawi. 73 countries went to Hylands Park for the day.

At the end of the Jamboree the participants and The Jamboree site was divided into four villages staff gathered in the arena for a show featuring (named Indian Ocean, Arctic Ocean, Pacific music and dance and to end there was a Ocean and Atlantic Ocean) and each village was fireworks display. Chief Scout, Peter Duncan, divided into six sub-camps (named after various and a UK Scout handed over the World Flag to seas). The site was sandy with daytime the organisers of the 22nd World Jamboree which temperatures hitting 40 degrees. is to be held in Sweden in 2011.

Major attractions included ‘Face the Waves’ (the 22nd World Scout Jamboree – Sweden, 2011 site benefited from being on a beautiful sandy

beach), the Global Development Vllage,

Crossroads of Culture,Our Heritage, City of

Science, Community Action day, Explore Nature and the Tournaments. “Simply Scouting” was the message for the Jamboree which took place from the 27 July to During the closing ceremony the Jamboree Flag the 8 August 2011 in Rinkaby, Sweden. was handed to the UK in preparation for 2007.

More than 40,000 participants from across the

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world attended the Jamboree, with 4,000 people 24th World Scout Jamboree – USA, 2019 attending from the UK Contingent. The 24th World Scout Jamboree will be held at the The campsite was divided into four towns: Summit Bechtel Family Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring with the National Scout Reserve in towns further divided into sub-camps. The camp West Virginia from 22 July to included activities including the Global 2 August 2019. The hosting Development Village, The Quest of a Lifetime, duties will be split between the Boy Scouts of Our home: the Earth, Dream at night and City of America, Scouts Canada, and Asociación de People all of which focused on learning new Scouts de México. The theme is Unlock a New cultures and having fun. World. The closing ceremony finished with the camp song, ‘Changing the World’ with performances from artists and participants and a speech by the Swedish King. The finale was a fantastic musical fireworks and the flag was handed over to Japan, host to the 23rd World Scout Jamboree.

23rd World Scout Jamboree - Japan, 2015 The 23rd World Scout Jamboree took place in Kirarahama, Yamaguchi in western Japan from 28 July to 8 August 2015. The event was attended by 33,628 Scouts and leaders. The theme was 和 Wa: A Spirit of Unity. The kanji 和, meaning harmony, unity or togetherness, was part of the theme. Wa is also an early name for Japan.

The wide range of activities provided included a Peace Programme with the opportunity to visit Hiroshima Peace memorial Park and a Global Development Village which raised awareness of environmental, health and human rights issues. There were nature conservation and service projects, a science village and a range of water activities.

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