First National Boy Scout Jamboree, Washington D.C. 1937 Chevrolet Newsreel

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‘Superimposed newspaper headline indicating “25,000 Boy Scouts Yawn
at First National Jamboree.”

ECU boy scout (wearing large hat) blowing bugle. VS boys sleeping on cots
in tents, one stretches and wakes up; 2 boys jostle third and roll him out
of bed to wake him. Boys wearing towels (one carries bucket) run out of
tent. CU boy washing face with bar of soap under splashing shower; many
boys in gang shower. LS hundreds of scouts running in field (observation
tower in BG). Scouts dining in mess tent. CU scouts eating. Scouts running
and scaling wall. Several scouts tying knots; ECU knot being tied around
boy’s wrist. CU scout blowing on smoldering clump of weeds until it
ignites; drops burning weeds to ground. Scouts stand outdoors surrounding
model of Eiffel Tower. Scouts gathered around large glider as one sits in
cockpit and buckles up. CU 3 scouts bent over and examining automobile
bumper. VS scouts adjusting drivers seat; opening glove compartment;
playing with door locks and handles. Hundreds of scouts playfully boxing in
large field. Organized boxing match between short and tall boy; smaller boy
knocks down larger one. LS Washington monument with scouts marching with
flags in FG, superimposed montage of other scouting activity. Scouts
marching in front of Washington monument.’

From Chevrolet Leader News Newsreel Vol. 3. No. 3.

Public domain film from the Prelinger Archives, slightly cropped to remove uneven edges, with the aspect ratio corrected, and mild video noise reduction applied.
The soundtrack was also processed with volume normalization, noise reduction, clipping reduction, and/or equalization (the resulting sound, though not perfect, is far less noisy than the original).

The national Scout jamboree is a gathering, or jamboree of thousands of members of the Boy Scouts of America, usually held every four years and organized by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Referred to as “the Jamboree”, “Jambo”, or NSJ, Scouts from all over the nation and world have the opportunity to attend. They are considered to be one of several unique experiences that the Boy Scouts of America offers. The first jamboree was scheduled to be held in 1935 in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Scouting, but was delayed two years. The 1937 jamboree in the Nation’s Capital attracted 25,000 Scouts, who camped around the Washington Monument and Tidal Basin. The event was covered extensively by national media and attended by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Following the disruption of World War II, the next jamboree was not held until 1950 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Subsequent jamborees have been held around the country as a means to promoting Scouting nationally. From 1981 to 2010, the jamboree has been located Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. Beginning in 2013, jamborees will be permanently held at The Summit: Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in West Virginia.

A jamboree is held for several consecutive days and offers many activities for youth participants and the 300,000 members of the general public who visit it. several days after participants leave, depending on their assignments. Subcamp staff stay in the subcamps with the troops, while other staff stay in the staff camp…

First national Jamboree

The first national jamboree was held in Washington, D.C. for ten days in July 1937, attended by 25,000 Scouts, most of whom arrived by train. Region campsites were set up around the Washington Monument and Tidal Basin. The event was covered extensively by radio and newspapers. A press tent accommodated 626 news media reporters, photographers, and broadcasters. Sixty-four news releases were issued and the BSA assisted in the making of 11 newsreels and 53 magazine articles.

The three major U.S. radio networks of the time, NBC, CBS and Mutual, had broadcasting studios near the jamboree headquarters to produce almost 19 hours of live, on–site jamboree coverage broadcast coast–to–coast. Celebrities also visited the jamboree, including well–known broadcaster Lowell Thomas and U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. While at the jamboree, Scouts also attended a three-game baseball series between the Washington Senators and the Boston Red Sox at Griffith Stadium, as well as touring nearby Mount Vernon…