World Jamborees: 1967 Report

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1967 - 12th World Jamboree, Idaho, USA

Jamboree Badge

1 – 10 August / Participants 12 000 / Countries 105 / South Africans 37 / Cost R1100

On the 14th July the South African Contingent, under the leadership of Jacob Joel the Divisional Commissioner for the Northern Transvaal, departed from Johannesburg on their forty day tour, travelling via Frankfurt, New York and then by bus across America to the Jamboree in Idaho.

To mark the 12th World Jamboree and the 60th Anniversary of Scouting, the Boy Scouts of South Africa decided to make four authentic replicas of Dinizulu's Necklace. After much research and months of hard work by European Rover Scouts in Natal, and Zulu Scouts from Natal Troops, four reproductions of the original were completed.

One necklace was presented to the Chief Scout of America; one to the Acting Director of the Boy Scouts World Bureau and one to the Camp Chief at Gilwell Park in London. The fourth necklace remained in South Africa as a historic memento of the land of the origin of the Wood Badge.


Pre Jamboree Tour
In Germany they spent a day and a half sightseeing in Frankfurt and Wiesbaden before flying to New York. Their 10 day tour of the USA tour started with sightseeing in New York and Washington, which included the Smithsonian Institute, the White House, a night tour and the Marine Memorial with its 'Raising of the Flag' at Iwo Jima.

The tour continued on through Columbus and Chicago to Wisconsin, where they experience a memorable guided tour of the Wisconsin River and Dell. Next on the tour was the Prairie's and on to nature's most spectacular exhibitions of weathering and erosion of the Bradlands. They then visited Mount Rushmore and the Custer Battlefield, and finally arriving at the Jamboree site in Idaho.


The Jamboree

The SA Contingent used the backs of their Scout hat presses to create this unique signage

The Jamboree site was about 500km east of the west coast town of Seattle in Farragut State Park, in the Rocky Mountains of Idaho. It is on the southern tip of the large mountain lake called Pend Oreille and in the midst of a rugged forest covered terrain.

The park was used during the Second World War to train sailors for the US Navy and has subsequently been used by Boy and Girl Scouts for a number of events.

A stroke of organising genius was that each Contingent was allocated an Eagle Scout from the 'Host Corps' to service their needs, and this made the Leaders job much lighter.

The Opening Ceremony was held in the evening in a natural bowl with gently sloping sides, giving the spectators a clear view of the stage, which was enhanced by an efficient sound system and large side screens displaying the proceedings. A short welcome speech was followed by a 'Parade of Flags' and a tableau of previous Jamborees, then mass dances with the stage being ablaze with colour and a whirlwind of motion. The ceremony ended with a massive fireworks display.

Amongst the distinguished visitors were World Chief Guide Olave Baden-Powell and Vice President of the United States, Hubert H. Humphrey. Memorable features of the Jamboree included a reconstruction of Baden-Powell's Brownsea Island campsite, arena shows, adventure trails, Skill-o-Rama, where each Troop was given a chance to demonstrate their outstanding skills, and here the South Africans did an authentic Zulu Dance. Water activities on Lake Pend Oreille included fishing in the specially stocked fishing area and boating. There was a repeat of the Friendship Wide Game introduced at the 11th World Scout Jamboree in 1963 and a number of the boys visited a rodeo.

Trading was as popular as ever and this was boosted by two 'Trading Posts' selling souvenirs. Other attractions were archery, swimming, canoeing and hiking. The large campfires were impressive and of a very high standard, as they were carefully stage-managed and the yarns intelligent yet sentimental maintaining interest right to the end.

Invitations were sent out by the South Africans to all the contingents to send one boy to attend our 'tea party' and as had become the norm, 'koeksusters' were made for the 70 guests.

The Closing Ceremony was well organised with the speeches crisp and sincere, followed by the 'Flag Parades', Folk Dances and a man propelled by a rocket strapped to his back. Candles were lit and the Scout Promise said before being snuffed out and the Jamboree came to an end.


The Return Trip

From the Jamboree site the Contingent proceeded to Seattle for seven days of 'home hospitality', where they took in the many sights of Seattle. The return flight from Seattle was via New York and then on to London, where they stayed at BP House and spent a day and a half sightseeing, which include a tour to Oxford. The contingent arrived back in Johannesburg on the 22nd August 1967.

S A Scout Heritage

See Also