The 1985 Boy Scout National Jamboree Fort A.P. Hill in northern Virginia PA. Page 4
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| With the widespread use of the Jamboree Shoulder Patch (JSP) fewer contingent patches were made. Although there were still neckerchiefs, belt buckles, coins, T shirts and other contingent items. |
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 (right) The hat pin phenomenon. No one seems to know how hat pins became so popular at the 1985 Jamboree. Dave Scocco suggests it might have something to do with hat pins being popular at the 1984 Olympics. Pins had been used at earlier Jamborees, but somehow the use exploded in 1985. Pins could easily be seen on the baseball style hat. There was a pin for almost every patch, contingents, regions, etc. Pins are less expensive than patches, a lot more pins could be collected for less money. David Scocco reports that his contingent arrived fairly early at the Jamboree and that most of the official pins were already sold out. Chris Jensen told me that the Jerry White pin company was doing a brisk business at his trade-o-ree. |
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The Campfire Caravan was a pre-Jamboree event that
culminated at the Jamboree. The program was symbolic of all the
campfires that have flickered throughout the land since Scouting
came to the USA in 1910. The caravan started in Hawaii, passing
through forty state capitols traveling more than 7500 miles. The
program was sponsored by US Suzuki Motor Corp. Suzuki paid for the
four Caravan motor homes and a special trailer. For the local fires each council in the individual states provided firewood with some local or historical significance. The ashes were collected in a box shaped like the state where the fire had taken place. At the Jamboree the state shaped boxes were assembled into a map of the USA and burnt in a special campfire ceremony at the Jamboree. Thanks Jim Ellis. |
  The Arena Shows were inspirational. Nancy Reagan delivered a welcoming address from President Reagan. Eagle Scout, Robert Gates, Director of the CIA and later Secretary of State told Scouts that the only leadership training he had was BSA Jr. Leader Training |
  The Beach Boys and the Oakridge Boys performed. They toured in Jamboree neckerchiefs. The Beach Boys commented that the Jamboree was the most interesting venue they ever performed at. The Oakridge Boys had been a hit at previous Jamborees. |
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| YouTube has interesting film clips of the Buckskin Games and Handicap Awareness Trail. In the Buckskin Games Scouts could practice throwing tomahawks, using a whip to pop balloons, etc. Handicap Awareness was a merit badge and Scouts experience walking with crutches, performing duties blindfolded, life in a wheel chair, etc. The Activity Area had archery, shooting, crew rowing and other activities. |
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 Other Jamborees had experienced bad weather, especially 1937 and 1977, but never had the aftermath of a hurricane hit a Jamboree. It was chaos, but by and large Scouts were prepared. The picture to the right appeared in the Jamboree Journal entitled the Bag Boys. The military and staff members with pick up trucks hauled wet sleeping bags to laundromats and model commercial driers from near Richmond to suburban Washington. 75 years of doing good turns for others brought out Scouting's friends to assist. All that was needed to be said, was “the Scouts needed help”. The commercial businesses were wonderful in offering all kinds of assistance. The Jamboree went on, the program areas were open and operating, the Arena Shows went on as if nothing had happened, although some of the props sustained damage and needed to be repaired. Bill Hillcourt wrote in Boys Life, quoting Baden Powell, “anyone can be a Scout when the sun is shining , a real Scout proves himself by being cheerful under trying circumstances”. Everyone at the Jamboree remembers the hurricane experience, Jim Ellis told me he had never seen horizonal rain. |
  (right) The Merit Badge Midway was again a hub of activity. Over half of the merit badges were available with competent councilors. Scouts who came prepared with some of the paperwork could leave the Jamboree with a number of merit badges. (left) Scouting reached out to obtain exhibitors and sponsors. |
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| Paul Myers Goshen,
Indiana gimogash@comcast.net |