5th World Scout Jamboree

Organizational details

The Jamboree in Vogelenzang, Bloemendaal in the Netherlands was opened on 31 July 1937 by Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, with 28,750 Scouts from 54 countries attending. The Boy Scouts Association had intended to bring up to 10,000 Scouts. Given 650 water taps and 120 showers, it was considered the cleanest jamboree to date. The main camp was at Vogelenzang, the Sea Scout camp was at Bennebroek, now both part of the Bloemendaal municipality. The host site was on the farm of the Vertegaal family.

Symbol

The symbol used for the world jamboree is the Jacob's staff, which was used during the exploration of new territories in the Age of Discovery by Dutch sailors. The ten arms symbolize the ten articles of the Scout Law. After this jamboree, the Jacob's staff became the award of gratitude for the Netherlands Scout organizations. Wooden versions were given to Scouts who had supported the jamboree organization. Later on, the silver and gold Jacob's staff became official awards of gratitude in the Dutch national Scouts organization.

Subcamps

The camp consisted of 12 subcamps, each with its own badge color:

• camp 1: yellow
• camp 2: green
• camp 3: red
• camp 4: light-blue
• camp 5:dark-blue
• camp 6:red/white
• camp 7:blue/white
• camp 8:yellow/green
• camp 9: orange
• camp 10: green/white (Woestduin)
• camp 11: orange/white (water camp)
• camp 12: white (an insigne without stripe)

Girls and Cub Scouts

Although girls did not participate in the jamboree (until the 16th World Scout Jamboree in Australia), they were allowed to give a salute to Olave Baden-Powell, their Chief Guide. Also, a special Cub Scout day was organized during the jamboree.

Closure and farewell

At the closure of the event on 9 August 1937, Baden-Powell pointed out the symbol of this jamboree: the Jacob's Staff and took his farewell.

References

References

1. Wilson, John S.. (1959). "Scouting Round the World". Blandford Press.
2. (10 January 1937). "World Jamboree". The Straits Times.
3. (18 August 1937). "De zeeverkenners naar de Kaag". [[Royal Library of the Netherlands]].
4. "Wereld Jamborees". Nationaal Scouting Museum.
5. (1937-04-08). "Een der' speciale Jamboree-zegels, welke met toeslag van 1 Mei t/m 9 Juni a.s. verkrijgbaar worden gesteld ten behoeve van de vereeniging De Ned-Indische Padvinders. De netto-opbrengst van den toeslag wordt benut tot financiering van de uitzending van Ned.. Indische padvinders naar de Wereldjamboree.". [[Nieuwe Tilburgsche Courant]].
6. "5e Wereldjamboree 1937". Scoutmuseum.