Jamboree leaders had been working for years to get Scouts more actively involved in the Jamboree’s. Everyone knows that Scouts love patches. In 1981 a concerted effort was made to have more handouts for Scouts visiting and participating in the program areas.

There were troop competitions with recognition for winners.
medals awarded at 1981 boy scout jamboree
ribbons at the 1981 boy scout jamboree
(above) There was recognition for many thing. Generic bronze, gold and silver medals were available. They could be awarded for different topics just by inserting a printed label.


(to the left) The Arts and Science Fair from 1977 was repeated. Ribbons were awarded for achievement. Thanks Jim Ellis



There were ribbons awarded for many achievements. This one for Regional and Sub Camp Winners of the Green Bar Bill Patrol Flag Contest.
Bill Hillcourt at 1981 boy scout jamboreeBill


An aged Bill Hillcourt had come out of retirement to re-write the BSA handbook. Green Bar Bill was at the Boys Life exhibit, full of Scouting enthusiasm, signing his famous green bar logo.
eagle scout association buttonlife to eagle pin



One of the goals of NESA, National Eagle Scout Association, was (is) to encourage Life Scouts to make that extra effort to reach Eagle. A meeting was held by NESA at the Jamboree where Eagle Scouts of all ages spoke about what it meant to be an Eagle.

 
Souvenir pins were given to Scouts who attended.
 woodbadge
(left) The U.S. Navy had exhibits on the Merit Badge Midway and offered souvenir badges. I mention elsewhere what an opportunity the Jamboree is for politicians and the same would apply to the branches of the US Military.

(right) Many adult Jamboree leaders were Wood Badge trained. A Wood Badge Reunion was held at the Jamboree. A souvenir patch was available.
1981 boy scout gateways at the jamboree 


Seems like every Jamboree I comment on gateways and they were great in 1981. A trend had been developing for some time of taking contingent pictures in front of the gateways.
About Jamboree Contingent photos. Contingent photos have been taken since 1935. In the early years they often appear in the local newspaper, showing the scouts and their names. Group photos are usually taken at the Jamboree. Council historians like to collect their photos as part of the council history. Historic researchers like the photos to search for Scouts that attended the various Jamborees.  
scouts at 1981 jamboreearena shows at the 1981 national boy scout jamboree
Over the years it seems that each Arena Show is bigger and better than the previous one, although at the time each show is magnificent. Improved lighting and large screens and even fireworks make the Arena Shows one of the highlights of any Jamboree. For any given show there are often 10,000+ visitors.
arena show at the 1981 national boy scout jamboree 
This is an amazing image of the Arena Show. Tens of thousands of Scouts, parents and friends of Scouting enjoying the “greatest show” in Scouting in the Arena. 
merit badge midway 
The Merit Badge Midway had become the hub of Jamboree activities. Almost half of the merit badges were offered and some booth were sponsored by businesses, the military or civic organizations.

If a Scout had prepared himself prior to coming to the Jamboree with some of the paperwork already complete he could potentially earn quite a few merit badges at the Jamboree.
visitor guide 1981 boy scout jamboree 
I’ve spent time explaining how visitors created so many problems at the various Jamborees. Parking, busing, crowd control, security, etc.

The 1981 Jamboree introduced a $7 fee for visitors. Some visitors were outraged at a fee. But, when you consider the difficulties 25,000+ visitors a day creates for Jamboree planners, $7 seems reasonable.

At later Jamborees visitors fees would be higher. The Youth Protection Program introduced in the late 1980’s would make visiting a Jamboree a much more complicated.




parking pass
 
page 3 of 5
 
Paul Myers Goshen, Indiana
gimogash@comcast.net