So-Called Dollars

Boy Scouts of America, 50th Anniversary Jamboree - 1960 - Colorado Springs, CO

Purpose: To celebrate 50th anniversary of Boy Scouts of America.

Organization: This was fifth and largest national encampment or Jamboree. "Two years of...work by hundreds of men" required to convert open range to Jamboree City, principally a tent city but with huge arena, roads, water mains, electric lines, own post office, bank, newspaper (90,000 copies daily) and stores, called Trading Posts. Jamboree was self-sustaining; financed by private contributions and $50 fee paid by each boy in camp. Of latter amount, $13 per capita was refunded.

Site, Dates, Attendance: Camp site of 4 sq. mi. created on 2500 acre Reverse J Diamond Ranch owned by late R. E. Johnson near Colorado Springs. Jamboree held July 22 to 28, 1960; over 200,000 visitors. Elsewhere, many "special procedures" took place in observance of anniversary, highlight being National Boy Scout Week, Feb. 7 to 13.

Participants: Encamped were 56,377 Scouts from all 50 states, including 650 from 26 foreign countries.

Comment: Scouts founded 1907 in England by Lord Robert Baden-Powell; incorporated in U. S. Feb. 8, 1910 in District of Columbia. Stated purpose is "...to promote...ability of boys to do things for themselves and others...to teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance." Over 30,000,000 Americans have been Scouts, with 1960 membership of over 5,000,000.

Fiftieth Anniversary Jubilee Jamboree opened with pageant, "Spirit of America" with 6000 Scouts participating before audience of 75,000. During week there were field sports, conservation educational programs, and daily demonstrations of Scouting skills. President Eisenhower and Lord Baden-Powell, son of founder, were distinguished guests. Called "largest camp for boys ever held in U. S."

Medal: This was Official Jamboree Medal; designed by National Council; 65,000 pieces struck in oxidized Bronze by Robbins Co.; sold at Jamboree Trading Posts "to boys who wished to bring them home as souvenirs." Supply Service Division of National Council advised that all medals were delivered to Boy Scouts of America and entire quantity sold at Jamboree. Shortly after Jamboree closed, however, specimens became available elsewhere but at substantially increased prices. With so many pieces in possession of Scouts, medal is considered quite scarce.

Obverse: In center circle is a Scout Shield with rays; above shield, around For God and Country; below shield to l. 1910, to r. 1960; below a line Boy Scouts of America / 50 / Fifty Years of Service; outside circle, at top National Jamboree, at bottom Colorado Springs
Reverse: Entire surface is divided into three (3) equal segments; in upper is view of Air Force Academy buildings and grounds; in lower l. is Pike’s Peak; in lower r. is Will Rogers Memorial Tower.

HK-577 - Bronze, oxidized. Size 23.

Image provided by Jonathan Brecher