World Jamboree History

The next Jamboree in December 2002 is the 20th World Scout Jamboree. But what about the previous nineteen and where did it all start?

Shortly after the start of Scouting in 1908, its rapid and unexpected spread in countries outside the British Isles caused Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the Founder of Scouting, to realise that a get together of Scouts of all nationalities must sooner or later be organised. But any ideas he may have had were stifled by the outbreak of War in 1914. In 1917, the Tenth Anniversary of the first Scout camp on Brownsea Island, it had been hoped to hold some kind of celebration to mark the event. Things being as they were it was decided that an "Imperial and International Jamboree" be held as soon as circumstances would permit. As the War finished in 1918 it was decided to hold it two years later in 1920. Incidentally, a similar position was reached when it was decided to hold the 6th World Scout Jamboree in 1947, two years after the Second World War.

Read about the previous 19 Jamborees and the 21st Jamboree by following the links to the left.