The 2023 Boy Scout National Jamboree, The Summimit, West Virginia - Page 3
| Jamboree 2023 Multi Piece fund raisers continued |
 |
|
(Above left)-Every Jamboree seems to have one patch, or one set that
is the must have patch of the Jamboree. I asked on Facebook after
the Jamboree and Brad England from Oklahoma said that it was the
Mobile Area Council’s “pirate” set. No one confirmed or denied it so
I checked eBay. There were five individual sales offering this set from $299. to $350. per set. WOW. That seems to confirm that perhaps this was at least one of the most desirable sets. We’ll see if future years if the price holds. Sets were issued as fund raisers for local contingents. Many were sold before the Jamboree as complete sets, which cost $30-$75+. (Center and right)- I wonder if people who collect CSP’s will want all 8 of the Donaldson or 10 of the Waffle House. Or for that matter will people want all 15 of the Donaldson or 20 of the Waffle House. |
| A word about multiple piece sets |
 A contingent leaders reported on Facebook how his contingent handled the multi piece sets. They sold them for $35 to assure they would all sell. Each contingent member received some for free. After all was settled the contingent made $1000. He reported that because the published cost was $35, Scouts in the contingent were reluctant to trade and then discovered that others who had multi piece sets that cost more wanted “more” in trade. It was his opinion that expensive multi piece sets put undue pressure on younger Scouts. Patch trading should be a simple “mine for your” friendship exchange, but high valuation makes it a commercial transaction. Two of your $35 sets for my $70, set. Jambopatchguide.com has developed a website to catalogue the multi-piece sets. It’s my understanding that the list was updated during and after the Jamboree. If you collect or just want to see what all was available, check it out. |
| Jamboree contingent gear and patches other than sets or JSP's |
 Many contingents developed unique Jamboree “gear”. T shirts, hats, neckerchiefs, duffle bags, etc.  |
  |
| OA lodges issued single pocket flaps, two and three piece sets. The CSP on the shoulder, the OA on the pocket flap and another patch beneath.If an authoritative listing is developed I’d be happy to post it. |
 Distinctive unit numerals were popular, often for units that used an ordinary shaped JCP. |
 After the Jamboree the Marin-Piedmont (CA.) contingent and Suffolk County Council issued a patch for Bean Dip. |
|
I’ve commented on earlier Jamborees how some companies have
successful promotions for their products at the Jamboree. In the
past Scouts from Lansing, MI. traveled to the Jamboree in new
Buicks. General Motors has been wonderful in lending vehicles to the
Jamboree. Who can forget the sardines from Maine or the Apple
computer bag, etc. The success of the Fritos Bean Dip in 2023 was
amazing. It was a staple in almost every sack lunch on most days. On
the third day of the Jamboree a helicopter dropped a pallet of it
and Scouts snatched it up before the helicopter lifted off. Scouts
were claimed to be trading Bean Dip for patches. THANKS W. Scott
Smith |
| Elaborate stage shows and fireworks in the Arena were replaced with “drone shows”. The sky was lite up with Scouting symbols and could be seen for miles. |
 |
| When the Jamboree moved to the Summit, there were weight and health requirements to help prevent people from overexerting themselves. By 2023 everyone got the message, there is a lot of walking and it can be hot. Scouts train for a Philmont experience, being in good shape was necessary for the Jamboree. |
  |
 There is nothing new about patch trading, except now social media was involved. Scouts could post for certain items. Family members at home got involved. There were claims that patches had been stolen or someone taken advantage of. One subcamp reported that over 300 water bottles a day were lost, but somehow missing patches must have been stolen. Its easier to say a $35 to $75+ patch set was stolen than misplaced. Instead of trading $4 CSP’s or JSP’s, expensive multiple piece sets were the rage |
 |
| I mention that because of the move to W. Virginia touring Washington DC might have declined, but many contingents made arrangements to visit the Nations Capitol. It’s about a five hour trip from Washington to the Summit. Units coming from the north and northeast might pass through DC. |
 An Oregon contingent flew into Washington DC so that they could visit the many national monuments. |
| The Jamboseum was a display of Scouting history with a theme of Service to a Nation at War. Spearheaded by San Fairchild and Doug Schwab and other well known Scouting historian/collectors. Some of Sam’s incredible displays from the 2013 Jamboree were displayed. To see the complete 2013 display click here https://www.bsainsignia.com/mysterium.html or search bsainsignia.com The Mysterium Compass. To see a video of 2023 click https://youtu.be/Jxf6wsrQcDY |
  In 1915. the Boy Scouts of America made Service the nation-wide watchword or theme. Scout troops and Scout conncils accross the country worked hard to incorporate Service into every aspect of their prorgams and events. It was a wise choice. Leaders saw that the best way to make the newly-formed BSA successful and growing was to position Scouting and Scouts as useful contributors to sciety's sucess. The key was to give America good reasons to view the Scouting and Scouts as valuable assets to American families, local communities, American institutions and the Nation and Service was that key. |
| The Jamboseum was actually something somewhat new in a museum type display. It had a theme of Service, instead of showing a bunch of old uniforms and patches, these things were incorporated in such a way of telling the story of Service to others. These types of displays are badly needed in Scouting. Scouting needs to tell it’s “story” often to non Scout audiences. It seems to me that the Jamboseum might be the start of this type of display. |
|
|
| Paul Myers Goshen,
Indiana gimogash@comcast.net |