1967 - 12th World Jamboree, Idaho, USA
1 – 10 August / Participants 12 000 / Countries 105 / South Africans 37 / Cost R1100
On the 14th July the South African Contingent, under the leadership of
Jacob Joel the Divisional Commissioner for the Northern Transvaal,
departed from Johannesburg on their forty day tour, travelling via Frankfurt,
New York and then by bus across America to the Jamboree in Idaho.
To mark the 12th World Jamboree and the 60th Anniversary of Scouting, the
Boy Scouts of South Africa decided to make four authentic replicas of
Dinizulu's Necklace. After much research and months of hard work by
European Rover Scouts in Natal, and Zulu Scouts from Natal Troops, four
reproductions of the original were completed.
One necklace was presented to the Chief Scout of America; one to the Acting Director of the Boy
Scouts World Bureau and one to the Camp Chief at Gilwell Park in London. The fourth necklace
remained in South Africa as a historic memento of the land of the origin of the Wood Badge.
The SA Contingent used the backs of their Scout hat presses to create this unique signage
Pre Jamboree Tour
In Germany they spent a day and a half sightseeing in Frankfurt and Wiesbaden before flying to
New York. Their 10 day tour of the USA tour started with sightseeing in New York and Washington,
which included the Smithsonian Institute, the White House, a night tour and the Marine Memorial
with its ‘Raising of the Flag’ at Iwo Jima.
The tour continued on through Columbus and Chicago to Wisconsin, where they experience a
memorable guided tour of the Wisconsin River and Dell. Next on the tour was the Prairie’s and on
to nature’s most spectacular exhibitions of weathering and erosion of the Bradlands. They then
visited Mount Rushmore and the Custer Battlefield, and finally arriving at the Jamboree site in
Idaho.
The Jamboree
The Jamboree site was about
500km east of the west coast
town of Seattle in Farragut State
Park, in the Rocky Mountains of
Idaho. It is on the southern tip of
the large mountain lake called
Pend Oreille and in the midst of a
rugged forest covered terrain.
The park was used during the
Second World War to train sailors
for the US Navy and has
subsequently been used by Boy
and Girl Scouts for a number of
events.
A stroke of organising genius was that each Contingent was allocated an Eagle Scout from the
‘Host Corps’ to service their needs, and this made the Leaders job much lighter.
The Opening Ceremony was held in the evening in a natural bowl with gently sloping sides, giving
the spectators a clear view of the stage, which was enhanced by an efficient sound system and
large side screens displaying the proceedings. A short welcome speech was followed by a ‘Parade
of Flags’ and a tableau of previous Jamborees, then mass dances with the stage being ablaze with
colour and a whirlwind of motion. The ceremony ended with a massive fireworks display.
Amongst the distinguished visitors were World Chief Guide Olave Baden-Powell and Vice
President of the United States, Hubert H. Humphrey. Memorable features of the Jamboree
included a reconstruction of Baden-Powell's Brownsea Island campsite, arena shows, adventure
trails, Skill-o-Rama, where each Troop was given a chance to demonstrate their outstanding skills,
and here the South Africans did an authentic Zulu Dance. Water activities on Lake Pend Oreille
included fishing in the specially stocked fishing area and boating. There was a repeat of the
Friendship Wide Game introduced at the 11th World Scout Jamboree in 1963 and a number of the
boys visited a rodeo.
Trading was as popular as ever and this was boosted by two ‘Trading Posts’ selling souvenirs.
Other attractions were archery, swimming, canoeing and hiking. The large campfires were
impressive and of a very high standard, as they were carefully stage-managed and the yarns
intelligent yet sentimental maintaining interest right to the end.
Invitations were sent out by the South Africans to all the contingents to send one boy to attend our
‘tea party’ and as had become the norm, ‘koeksusters’ were made for the 70 guests.
The Closing Ceremony was well organised with the speeches crisp and sincere, followed by the
‘Flag Parades’, Folk Dances and a man propelled by a rocket strapped to his back. Candles were
lit and the Scout Promise said before being snuffed out and the Jamboree came to an end.
The Return Trip
From the Jamboree site the Contingent proceeded to Seattle for seven days of ‘home hospitality’,
where they took in the many sights of Seattle. The return flight from Seattle was via New York and
then on to London, where they stayed at BP House and spent a day and a half sightseeing, which
include a tour to Oxford. The contingent arrived back in Johannesburg on the 22nd August 1967.
Click here for a list of the South African Contingent.
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