World Jamborees

1920 – FIRST WORLD JAMBOREE – As Scouting grew in other countries, Lord Baden-Powell wanted to bring together Scouts from around the world to build a feeling of brotherhood and to help his young Scouts to learn about other people. In 1920, following the war years, the first World Jamboree was held in the Olympia halls in Kensington, London. 8,000 Scouts from 34 countries attended the event. At this event Baden-Powell was declared the “Chief Scout Of The World”.

1924 – 2ND WORLD JAMBOREE – The Jamboree was opened on August 10 by Rear Admiral Carl Carstensen  at Ermelunden, Denmark, located a few miles from Copenhagen. Highlight of the Jamboree was the World Scout Championship Contest. Fourteen countries competed with the United States winning the contest. It was decided not to hold this contest in the future to prevent nationalism from overshadowing brotherhood. Baden-Powell, King Christian and Queen Alexandrine participated. In spite of very heavy rain, the Jamboree was a great success with 5,573 attending from 46 countries/territories. 

1929 – 3RD WORLD JAMBOREE – The Jamboree returned to England and was held in Arrowe Park, Birkenhead, United Kingdom. Called the “Coming of Age” Jamboree it celebrated the 21st birthday of Scouting. It was attended by some 50,000 Scouts and Guides and drew 300,000 visitors. The Prince of Wales participated in uniform and camped on site. Baden-Powell was honored as “Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell”. The Girl Guides operated a hospital at the Jamboree. Their outstanding work at the hospital impressed Scouters from around the world and improved their image with them. 46 countries/territories participated. 

1933 – 4TH WORLD JAMBOREE – This Jamboree was hosted by Hungary and took place in August.  Its location was around the Royal Palace in the Royal Forest about 11 miles from the capital of Budapest. It was attended by 25,792 Scouts from 46 countries and territories and hosted 100,000 visitors. This was the first international activity attended by “Air Scouts” from around the world. Hungarian head of state, Regent Horthy and Baden-Powell addressed the Scouts from the grandstand built for 5,000 guests.  

1937 – 5TH WORLD JAMBOREE – The site of this Jamboree was Vogelenzang in the Netherlands southwest of Amsterdam. Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands opened the Jamboree for the 28,750 Scouts from 54 countries and territories. The theme was “Small Means Big Results”. Although Girl Guides did not participate in the Jamboree they were permitted to give a salute to their “Chief Guide” Olave Baden-Powell. A special Cub Scout day was also observed during the Jamboree. Lord Baden-Powell gave his farewell to the Scouts. He was 81 years old and was sure this would be his last Jambo.

 

1947 – 6TH WORLD JAMBOREE – Location was Moisson, France. This Jamboree was delayed due to the world war. The theme was “Jamboree Of Peace” to signify that world brotherhood through Scouting was still alive and growing stronger. Attendance was 24,152 Scouts from 38 countries and territories. Vincent Auriol, President of the French Republic, visited and toured the site. This was the first Jamboree after the death of Baden-Powell. 

1951 – 7TH WORLD JAMBOREE – Austria was chosen for this Jamboree. There were many obstacles due to the country being split into occupation zones by the Americans, British, Russians and French. With limited resources the theme was a “Jamboree of Simplicity”. The site was Bad Ischl east of Salzburg in the American Zone. 12,884 Scouts attended from 41 countries and territories. A German contingent of Scouts was welcomed for the first time at a Jamboree. 

1955 – 8TH WORLD JAMBOREE – The Jamboree was held in Canada at Niagara-on-the-Lake, 14 miles north of Niagara Falls. This was the first Jamboree held outside of Europe. 11,162 Scouts from 71 countries and territories camped together on the commons of Fort George National Historic Site. Lady Baden-Powell; Lord Rowallan, Chief Scout of the British Empire; Vincent Massay, Governor General attended the opening ceremony. Theme was “New Horizons”. 

1957 – 9TH WORLD JAMBOREE – This was the “Jubilee Jamboree” honoring the 50th anniversary of the Scouting movement and the 100th anniversary of the birth of Baden-Powell. It was held at Sutton Park, England, about 8 miles from Birmingham. In attendance were some 33,000 Scouts from 85 countries and territories. Another 17,000 English Scouts were camped near the site and took part in daily activities. The “Jamboree of the Air” was announced at this Jamboree to allow Scouts around the world to participate in the festivities. 

1959 – 10TH WORLD JAMBOREE – The Jamboree was held in the Makiling National Park , Los Banos, Laguana, Philippines about 40 km southeast of Manila. It was attended by some 12,000 Scouts representing 44 countries and territories. It was the first one held in the “Far East”. The theme was “Building Tomorrow Today”.  Due to the presence of the nipa palm the Jamboree was nicknamed the “Bamboo Jamboree”. 

1963 – 11TH WORLD JAMBOREE – Greece hosted the Jamboree in Marathon, Greece, 42 km northeast of Athens. Some 13,000 Scouts attended from 88 countries and territories. The Philippine contingent of 22 Scouts was killed in a plane crash on the way to the Jamboree. The site included a “Greek Village” The Olympic Theme involved the “Labours of Hercules” which tested the Scouts’ skills and stamina. On the site was a 20,000 seat amphitheatre. Lady Baden-Powell gave the closing challenge of peace to the Scouts. 

1967 – 12TH WORLD JAMBOREE – The World Jamboree returned to North America. It was held at Farragut State Park, Idaho, 50 miles northeast of Spokane, Washington. Some 12,000 Scouts attended from 105 countries and territories. Highlights included a reconstruction of original campsite on Brownsea Island; water sports on Lake Pend Oreille; Skill-o-rama. Distinguished guests included Lady Baden-Powell and Vice President Hubert Humphrey. The Friendship wide game introduced at the 11th Jamboree was repeated. 

1971 – 13TH WORLD JAMBOREE – Some 23,758 Scouts from 87 countries and territories arrived at Asagiri Heights, Fujinomiya, Japan 150 km west of Tokyo. Mother Nature also arrived at the Jamboree site in the form of Typhoon Olive and caused 16,000 participating Scouts to be evacuated for 48 hours in shelters in the countryside. The U.S. Army and Air Force provided medical facilities. The theme was “For Understanding”.  

1975 – 14TH WORLD JAMBOREE – This Jamboree was held at Lillehammer, Norway on Lake Mjosa. The theme was “Five Fingers – One Hand”. It was hosted by the five Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Some 15,516 Scouts attended from 91 countries and territories and all five continents. The British contingent was led by Robert Baden-Powell, 3rd Baron Baden-Powell. A very warm hospitality was shown to all visiting Scouts in the homes of their hosts. 

1983 – 15TH WORLD JAMBOREE – This Jamboree was to be held in Iran in 1979. It was cancelled due to political instability in the area. In 1983 the site was Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada some 90 km west of Calgary. Attendance was 15,600 Scouts from 102 countries and territories. The theme of the Jamboree was “The Spirit Lives On”. This was to show that the spirit of international brotherhood lives on in spite of the tension that caused the cancellation of the Iran Jamboree. This was the first time girls were allowed as official participants. 

1987-1988 – 16TH WORLD JAMBOREE - The dates for this Jamboree changed from the traditional August to December/January to coincide with summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Site was Cataract Scout Park, New South Wales, Australia 70 km south of Sydney. Attendance was 14,634 Scouts from 98 countries and territories. The theme was “Bring The World Together”. Special guests were Betty Clay, daughter of Lord Baden-Powell and nine direct descendants of Scouting’s founder. 

1991 – 17TH WORLD JAMBOREE – Mt. Sorak National Park, Kangwon-do, Korea was the site for this Jamboree. It was attended by 20,000 Scouts from 135 countries and territories. Contingents of Scouts from all formerly communist states in Central, Eastern and the Soviet Union participated. Czechoslovakia and Hungary took part as members of the World Scout Movement since 1947. The first Global Development Program was introduced during this Jamboree. 

1995 – 18TH WORLD JAMBOREE – Netherlands hosted this Jamboree at Dronten, Flevoland, 70 km northeast of Amsterdam. 29,128 Scouts attended from 166 countries and territories. Many of these were from countries where Scouting was being born or reborn. Highlights included the Jamboree Friendship Award; the second Global Development Village; the interreligious ceremony on violence and peace; a Scout Forum and connection with the Secretary of the United Nations in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. 

1998-1999 – 19TH WORLD JAMBOREE – This was the first Jamboree held in South America. Site was Picarquin, Chile, 61 km south of the capital city of Santiago. Some 31,000 Scouts attended from 157 countries and territories. The theme was “Building Peace Together”. The Global Development Village was used for the third time. Activities included games and challenges, overnight hikes, community service in nearby villages, visits to area farms, factories and mining sites.  

2002-2003 – 20TH WORLD JAMBOREE – The Jamboree returned to Southeast Asia at Sattahip, Chonburi, Thailand 150 km south of Bangkok. Some 25,000 Scouts attended from 143 countries and territories. The theme of the Jamboree was “Share our World, Share our Cultures”. The Jamboree program stressed the progress and unity of the World Scout Movement and linked it to Asian culture, mainly Thai dancing and customs. 

2007 – 21ST WORLD JAMBOREE – This Jamboree celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of Scouting on Brownsea Island. It was hosted by the United Kingdom at Hylands Park, Chelmsford, Essex., 35 miles northeast of London. Some 38,000 Scouts attended from 158 countries and territories. 50,000 visitors attended for day visits. The theme was “One World, One Promise”. It was noted that more countries took part in this Jamboree than in the most recent Olympic Games. During the Jamboree Scouting was declared and certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest youth organization in the world.