1st World Scout Jamboree

Olympia and camping

The Olympia arena was filled with a foot-(30 cm)-deep layer of earth, which was turfed over, enabling the Scouts to pitch tents within the glass-roofed hall.

However, around 5,000 of the Scouts were encamped at the Old Deer Park in nearby Richmond. The Scouts rotated in and out of Olympia to give them all the opportunity to participate in the events there. The Thames flooded the campsite one night and Scouts had to be evacuated.

Olympia hosted numerous exhibitions, pageants and contests (including tug-of-war) during the Jamboree event. Olympia and Old Deer Park events were open to the public. Attendances were such that entrance was restricted to restrict incidents of crushing.

Oswald Stoll produced a show at the Alhambra Theatre of Variety for visiting scouts.

Chief Scout of the World

In order to honour Baden-Powell's role as the founder of Scouting, it was suggested by James E. West, the Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America that he be awarded the title of Great Indian Chief.

However, during the initiation ceremony, one of the young Scouts shouted out "Long live the Chief Scout of the World", and so it became Baden-Powell's official title within Scouting until his dying day.

No other Scouter has held the title since Baden-Powell.

Opening show

The event was formally opened by the King's uncle (Prince Arthur Duke of Connaught and Strathearn), and daughter (Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood. The King, George V, unable to attend the event, sent a message of welcome to the visiting contingents in a message to Baden Powell.

Closing speech

Cartoon in Punch magazine 4 August 1920, referring to the 1st World Scout Jamboree in the context of the aftermath of World War I]] Baden-Powell gave a closing speech at the end of the Jamboree:

"Brother Scouts. Differences exist between the peoples of the world in thought and sentiment, just as they do in language and physique. The Jamboree has taught us that if we exercise mutual forbearance and give and take, then there is sympathy and harmony. If it be your will, let us go forth fully determined that we will develop among ourselves and our boys that comradeship, through the world wide spirit of the Scout brotherhood, so that we may help to develop peace and happiness in the world and goodwill among men".

Jamborees since 1920

Many lessons were learnt from the first World Scout Jamboree, including the acknowledgement that an indoor venue was too restrictive for the activities and numbers of Scouts who would attend. It was also realised that above all else, a Jamboree is a means of developing a spirit of comradeship among the boys of many nations and the more that aspect can be stressed, the more successful a Jamboree becomes.

Contingents

• Australia
• Belgium
• Canada
• British Ceylon
• Chile
• Republic of China (1912–1949)
• Czechoslovakia
• Denmark
• England
• Estonia
• France
• Gibraltar
• Kingdom of Greece
• India
• Irish Free State
• Kingdom of Italy
• Jamaica
• Empire of Japan
• Luxembourg
• Federated Malay States
• Malta
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Kingdom of Romania
• Scotland
• Siam
• Union of South Africa
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• United States (35 States)
• Wales
• Kingdom of Yugoslavia

Exhibits

Amongst the thousands of Scouts, there was also a selection of wild animals at the Jamboree:

• An alligator from Florida
• A baby crocodile from Jamaica
• A lioness cub from Rhodesia
• Llamas
• Monkeys from South Africa
• A baby elephant
• A camel
• A kangaroo

Official badge

There was no official badge for this event; the first badge was made for the 2nd World Scout Jamboree. There was later a placeholder badge made to make the set of reminder badges complete.

References

References

1. (6 August 1920). "Young Envoys of Peace". [[Evening Standard]].
2. Wilson, John S.. (1959). "Scouting Round the World". Blandford Press.
3. "1st World Jamboree Olympia, England, 1920".
4. "Ten mile hikes, camping raids and Scout games: how women helped secure Scouting's survival in the early 20th century".
5. (2 August 1920). "Jamboree Carnival". [[Evening Standard]].
6. (9 Aug 1920). "Scouts' Farewell". [[Evening Standard]].
7. (28 July 1920). "The Scouts' Programme". [[Evening Standard]].
8. Kuiper, Deborah. (3 August 2007). "Arnold, 100, commemorates first world scout jamboree". The Cumberland News.
9. (7 Aug 1920). "An English Day - The Jamboree Revisited - A tonic for Weather Weariness". [[Manchester Guardian]].
10. (6 Aug 1920). "Olympia Thrills". [[Evening Standard]].
11. (24 July 1920). "Scouts' Jamboree". [[Evening Standard]].
12. (3 August 1920). "At The Jamboree". [[Evening Standard]].
13. (2 August 1920). "Boy Scout Post". [[Evening Standard]].
14. "1st World Jamboree, Olympia, 1920. Home Page".
15. (August 9, 1920). "Chief Scout Of The World - Wolf Cubs' Great Howl". [[The Times]].
16. (August 8, 1920). "Last Shout Of Jamboree - Hailing Chief Scout Of World". [[Sunday Dispatch.
17. (1926-10-05). "Silver Buffalo".
18. (10 August 1920). "Inspection of Scouts". [[Evening Standard]].
19. (30 July 1920). "Jamboree Opened". [[Evening Standard]].
20. "ScoutBase UK: The Library - Scouting history - World Jamborees".
21. (June 12, 1920). "Scouts' Big Jamboree - World Rally In London - Living League of Nations". [[The Daily Telegraph]].
22. (31 July 1920). "A World Gathering of Boy Scouts". [[Manchester Guardian]].
23. (August 25, 1920). "Shipping News - After The Jamboree - West Indian Scouts Homeward Bound". [[Western Daily Press]].
24. (August 3, 1920). "Joyous Jamboree - Scouts of All Nations - Great March-Past At Olympia". [[The Times]].
25. (9 Aug 1920). "The End of The Jamboree". [[Manchester Guardian]].
26. (6 Aug 1920). "Dutch Boys Go Home". [[Evening Standard]].
27. (5 Aug 1920). "The Norwegian Boy Scouts". [[Manchester Guardian]].
28. (23 July 1920). "King and the Scout.". [[Evening Standard]].
29. (4 Aug 1920). "Five Young Hopes". [[Evening Standard]].
30. "NVVSO Nederlandse Vereniging Verzamelaars Scouting Objecten".