One Page. World Scout Jamboree Vogelenzang 1937

World Scout Jamboree at Vogelenzang (Netherlands) 1937

Lord Baden-Powell

The World Scout Jamboree is a Scouting jamboree of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, typically attended by several tens of thousands of Scouts from around the world, aged 14 to 17.

The Scouting program became an international success following its founding by Robert Baden-Powell in 1907. With its continuing growth, the founder of the movement saw a need for a gathering of representatives of Scouting from all around the world. The general aim was to foster a worldwide brotherhood, and to help the young Scouts in the movement learn about other peoples and nations by direct interaction with them.

It was in 1920 that the first World Scout Jamboree was realized, held in the Olympia halls in Kensington, London. Symbolically, the Jamboree site bore the name of the birthplace of the Olympic Games, Olympia. 8,000 Scouts from 34 countries attended the event.

Thereafter, a Jamboree has been held every four years.

The fifth Jamboree was helt in Vogelenzang/Bloemendaal in the Netherlands in the period July 31 - August 9, 1937. There were 28750 participants from 51 different countries.

Opening July 31 1937

The Jamboree in Vogelenzang/Bloemendaal in the Netherlands was opened on July 31, 1937 by Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands.

Lord Baden-Powell was present at well.

The main camp was at Vogelenzang, the Sea Scout camp was at Bennebroek, now both part of the municipality Bloemendaal.

Philately

On April 1 1937, the Netherlands Postal Services came with a series of three stamps to promote the coming event. The stamps picture the scouting emblem French lily, flags and marching drums, and the greek god Hermes (as messenger and attendant).

The Netherlands Railways (NS) organised a special train from Haarlem to Vogelenzang for the transport of the attendants to the Jamboree.

In Netherlands Indies 2 postage stamps appeared with a surcharge for the benefit of the Netherlands Indies Scout Association, together with a special (first) flight cover.

A post office was installed at the event site. Four cancels were used, numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4. Here are examples of each of them:

Cancel 1

Cancel 2

Cancel 3

Cancel 4

Closure August 9 1937

Badge of this event

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

"I am nearing the end of my life. Most of you are at the beginning, and I want your lives to be happy and successful. You can make them so by doing your best to carry out the Scout Law all your days, whatever your station and wherever you are. Now goodbye. God bless you all. God bless you."

Notes

1. The illustrations in this presentation came from my own collection and from internet sites. 2. Thank you for visiting. Toon Oomens (Terneuzen, the Netherlands)