Sir Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Scouting movement, created the idea of holding a large encampment of
Scouts and leaders to celebrate Scouting in England. He called it a jamboree.
Since 1937, the Boy Scouts of America has held a national Scout jamboree for Scouts and leaders of Boy Scout
councils throughout the United States. More than 650,000 Scouts and leaders have hiked the trails, paths, and
roadways since the first jamboree was held at the base of the Washington Monument on the Mall in our nation's
capital.
Since that time, 16 national Scout jamborees have been held. Four were held in the western United States at
Irvine Ranch, California (1953); Colorado Springs, Colorado (1960); and Farragut State Park in Idaho (1969
and 1973). Five have been held in Pennsylvania at Valley Forge (3: 1950, 1957, and 1964) and Moraine State
Park (2: 1973 and 1977). Beginning in 1981, Caroline County, Virginia, and Fort A. P. Hill have been the
permanent site.
Click on the patch thumbnail to see a larger image!
Year
Dates
Location
Attendance
Theme
Patch
1935
Cancelled
Washington, D.C.
1937
June 30 - July 9
Washington, D.C.
27,232
1950
June 27 - July 6
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
47,163
"Strengthen Liberty"
1953
July 17 - 23
Irvine Ranch, California
45,501
1957
July 12 - 18
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
50,100
"Onward For God And My Country"
1960
July 22 - 28
Colorado Springs, Colorado (golden jubilee)
53,378
"For God and Country"
1964
July 17 - 23
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
52,000
"Strengthen America's Heritage"
1969
July 16 - 22
Farragut State Park, Idaho
35,000
1973
August 1 - 7 August 3 - 9
Farragut State Park, Idaho Moraine State Park, Pennsylvania
64,000
1977
August 3 - 9
Moraine State Park, Pennsylvania
28,637
"Forward Together"
1981
July 29 - August 4
Fort A. P. Hill, Virginia
29,765
"Scouting's Reunion with History"
1985
July 24 - August 30 (?)
Fort A. P. Hill, Virginia (diamond jubilee)
32,615
"The Spirit Lives On"
1989
August 3 - 9
Fort A. P. Hill, Virginia
32,717
"The Adventure Begins...With America's Youth"
1993
August 4 - 10
Fort A. P. Hill, Virginia
34,449
"Scouting...A bridge to the Future"
1997
July 28 - August 6
Fort A. P. Hill, Virginia
36,015
"Character Counts...Be Prepared for the 21st Century"
TOTAL ATTENDANCE