Jamboree facts for kids
A jamboree is a super big get-together for Scouts and Girl Guides. These events happen at a national level (for one country) or an international level (for Scouts from all over the world). It's a chance for thousands of young people to meet, learn, and have fun!
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The History of Jamborees
When Did Jamborees Start?
The very first World Scout Jamboree happened in 1920. It was held in the United Kingdom. Since then, there have been many more World Scout Jamborees. They usually happen every four years in different countries. The 25th World Jamboree took place in South Korea in 2023.
Why Are Jamborees Important?
Baden-Powell, who started Scouting, once said something important about jamborees. He believed it was good for every generation of Scouts to experience a big gathering. It helps them feel like they are part of a huge family. It also lets them meet other Scouts from different places and countries.
Besides the big world events, there are also national jamborees. These are for Scouts from one country. There are also continental jamborees for Scouts from a whole continent. Scouts from other countries are often invited to these events too.
Other Scout Gatherings
Jamborees led to other large events for Scouts. These gatherings are often for specific groups of Scouts. Here are some examples:
- Moot – This is a camp or gathering for older Scouts called Rovers.
- Venture – This is a gathering for young people in the Venture (Senior Scout) section.
- Indaba – This is a camp or meeting for adult Scout leaders.
- Agoonoree – This is a special camp for Scouts with different needs.
- COMDECA – This stands for Community Development Camp. It's a big gathering where young people work on projects to help communities.
Where Did the Word "Jamboree" Come From?
The Mystery of the Word
The exact origin of the word jamboree is a bit of a mystery. Many dictionaries say its origin is unknown. Some believe it came from American slang in the 1800s. It was used to describe a big, noisy party or celebration.
Many people in Scouting think Baden-Powell made up the word. However, there is no proof he did. The word was actually used many years before Scouting began.
How Was "Jamboree" Used Before Scouting?
When Baden-Powell was asked why he chose "jamboree," he joked, "What else would you call it?" This might mean the word already had a special meaning for him.
Other writers used "jamboree" before Scouting. For example, in 1912, a poet named Robert W. Service used it in a poem. In 1915, Lucy Maud Montgomery used it in her book Anne of the Island. She used it to describe a series of fun events like drives, dances, and picnics.
Other Ideas About the Word
There are a few other ideas about where "jamboree" came from. Some think it might come from Hindi or Swahili. Others suggest it could be from Native American languages. This makes the word's history even more confusing!
One guess is that "jamboree" comes from the Swahili word for hello, Jambo!. Baden-Powell spent time in East Africa in the 1880s and 1890s. So, he would have known this word.
How Scouting Uses "Jamboree"
The word "jamboree" became popular mainly after the first Boy Scout jamboree in 1920. Baden-Powell is said to have chosen the name because he wanted attendees to feel warmly welcomed with the word "jambo."
At the first World Jamboree in London in 1920, Baden-Powell said something important. He explained that people had different ideas about the word "jamboree." But from that year on, it would mean something specific. It would be known as the biggest gathering of young people ever.
Olave Baden-Powell, Baden-Powell's wife, created the word jamborese. This word describes the special language or way of communicating that Scouts use when they meet. It helps Scouts from different countries and cultures become friends and understand each other. Sometimes, a smaller gathering is called a "jamborette."
Another similar word is "camporee." This is a local or regional gathering of Scout groups. They camp together and do activities. A "jamboree" is much bigger than a "camporee." It brings together Scouts from a whole country or even the whole world.
International Jamborees
- World Scout Jamboree: A huge gathering of Scouts from all over the world. Around 30,000 to 40,000 Scouts attend.
- World Scout Jamboree on the Air (JOTA): An event where Scouts talk to each other using amateur radio.
- World Scout Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI): Scouts connect and chat online.
- Jamboree on the Trail (JOTT): An international day where Scouts go hiking.
- Africa Scout Jamboree: A gathering for Scouts in Africa.
- Arab Scout Jamboree: For Scouts in the Arab region.
- Asia-Pacific Scout Jamboree: For Scouts in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Caribbean Scout Jamboree: A gathering for Scouts from the Caribbean.
- Central European Jamboree: For Scouts from Central Europe.
- European Scout Jamboree: A gathering for Scouts from all over Europe.
- Interamerican Scout Jamboree: For Scouts from the Interamerican Scout Region.
- Baltic Jamboree: A gathering of Scouts and Guides from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Guests from other countries also join.
- Essex International Jamboree: A large gathering of 7,000–9,000 Scouts and Guides from around the world. It has been held since 1927.
- World Federation of Independent Scouts World Jamboree: A gathering for Scouts who are part of the World Federation of Independent Scouts.
- Jamboree 2008 (Northumberland): A celebration of a camp that happened in 1908.
- Homenetmen General Jamboree: A gathering of Scouts from the Homenetmen organization.
- International Cultural Jamboree: A gathering focused on different cultures.
National Jamborees
- National Scout jamboree: For the Boy Scouts of America.
- Canadian Scout Jamboree: A gathering for Scouts from Canada.
- Lithuanian National Jamboree: For Scouts from Lithuania, held every five years.
- Australian Scout Jamboree: For Scouts from Australia and the Asia-Pacific Region.
- Australian Girl Guide Jamboree: For Girl Guides from Australia and around the world.
- Nippon Jamboree: A gathering for Scouts from Japan.
- Nawaka: A gathering for Sea Scouts in the Netherlands.
- Irish Scout Jamborees: Jamborees held in Ireland.
- New Zealand Scout Jamboree: For Scouts in New Zealand.
- Girl Scout Senior Roundup: A gathering for older Girl Scouts.
See also
In Spanish: Jamboree para niños
- Agoonoree
- Camporee
- Indaba
- World Camp (Guiding)
