1960 Jamboree OA Service Troop Armband

In 1960 the Boy Scouts celebrated the Golden Jubilee by holding one of its largest Jamborees ever at Colorado Springs, CO.  56,377 Scouts attended this Jamboree making it the single most attended Scouting event in the United States (though the 1973 Jamboree had 72,000 but in two sites - Idaho & Pennsylvania).  With a crowd so large, there is an extreme need for Staff and "Service Personnel".  The Order of the Arrow contributed greatly to this event.   The Order of the Arrow Service Corps is the oft-unseen, behind-the-scenes crew responsible for picking up trash after the arena shows, getting water out to thirsty troops and doing just about anything that needs to be done. Before the jamboree, the Arrowmen set up many things being taken for granted and enjoyed by Scouts and Scouters at the jamboree, such as the shelters, displays and kiosks.

 The OA has provided service troops since the 1950 National Jamboree. These early troops were issued armbands instead of flaps at the 1950, 1953, 1957, 1960, 1964, and 1973 Jamborees.  The Armband pictured above is one of the hardest to collect in this series.  It was not elaborate in design but was highly coveted by those wearing them.  They represented a select cadre of Arrowmen who could get the job done while others enjoyed the activities related to the Jamboree.  Any Armband from 1950 to 1973 are great collectibles, none moreso than the 1960 Jubilee Jamboree Armband.

Camp Rotex 1924 Felt

Boy Scouting began in 1912 in Florence, Alabama.  The first troop chartered to the area was not a BSA unit, but instead was affiliated with British Scouting.  By 1914 the BSA had over three troops in the area and the movement began to thrive.  Local Civic Groups such as Kiwanis, Rotary and the Exchange Club saw the benefit of Scouting and wanted to secure a Summer Camp facility for the Scouts.  So in 1923, the Florence Rotary and Exchange Clubs decided to go in as partners and sponsor the local camp.  Located on Waterloo & Wildwood Park Roads near Cypress Creek, the camp came alive in 1924.

The Exchange Club did a lot of the infrastructure work to get the Camp ready. So much so they practically ran out of money. The Rotary Club had to step in to finish things and in turn ordered the first Camp Patch in Alabama for the Scouts.  The 1924 Camp Rotex patch picured was made by Standard Pennant of Big Run, PA and was a sewn Golden Yellow and Dark Royal Blue.  The camp took its name from the combination of Rotary and Exchange - thus Ro-Tex.  Since the Florence Rotary Club ordered the patches, they made sure they had their logo - the Rotary Cog along with the word "Rotary" and the City.  This is easily the most difficult to find Scout Camp patch in Alabama and likely the South.  This particular patch belonged to Mr. Alfred McCroskey, Sr. who served for many years as the Eaglemaster in Florence.  I was given this patch after his passing in 2007 some 31 years after he chaired my Eagle Scout Board of Review.  A great keepsake!

Talidandaganu Lodge "Chief John Ross Canoe Trek"

In the late 1960's to early 70's, Talidandaganu Lodge 293 of the Cherokee Area Council in Chattanooga, Tennessee sponsored a 15 mile Canoe Trek that ran from near Trenton, GA down Lookout Creek.  The Trek ran north from Georgia parallel and to the west of Lookout Mountain.  It ended at the mouth of the Creek which ran into the Tennessee River near Mocassin Bend.  While the Trek did not last long, it was a fun trip for Scouts.  Even more fun was the patch issued by the Lodge for completing the Trek.  A beautiful swiss fully embroidered patch. But the Trek did not last long as many Scouts in the area opted to hike the Blue Beaver Trail or the Nolichucky Jack Trail up Lookout Mountain instead.  So the Chief John Ross Trek was never fully utilized.  However, the short lived Trek did create one of the most collectible O.A. Lodge patches ever - not bad when they could be purchased for $1 each upon completion.  This patch is treasured by Lodge 293 members and is hard to find.  It is also one of the Crown Jewels of any Trail / Trek Patch collection.  For information on the patch and Lodge 293 go to:  http://www.tali293.org/patch30.htm

Treasure Island Camp "Staff 1951 Pie"

Treasure Island Scout Camp is located north of Philadelphia, PA and is considered by many to be the oldest Boy Scout Camp in the United States (though Camps Owasippe & Teetonkah claim the title). Located in the middle of the Delaware River, the Camp was in operation from 1913 to 2008.  Devastating floods and changes that saw the Delaware become a national scenic river sealed the fate of the Camp, bringing about its closing as a Summer Camp.  It is best known in Scouting lore as the birthplace of the Order of the Arrow.  Here in 1915, Dr. E. Urner Goodman, Camp Director and his Assistant Carroll Edson created the O.A. as a camping Honor Society.  It has grown into the largest organization within Scouting and sets the example for for Service Above Self to this day.

The patch pictured above was the famous 1951 T.I. Staff Pie Patch.  It was presented to T.I. Staffers as both a patch and sewn on a Purple Silk Neckerchief with Red Piping.  Needless to say, it is considered the most beautiful patch ever issued by the Camp.  It contained the distinctive "Treasure Island Tree" and the old TIC logo that was used on the initial Felt Treasure Isalnd Camp patches of the early 1920's.  Since it was a Staff patch it is a most difficult item to locate.  This particular patch belonged to a Staffer who was a friend of H. Lloyd Nelson, the 1925 Unami Chief.  He presented this patch to him in fond memory of Mr. Nelson's time as a Staffer at T.I. in the early 1920's. Mr. Nelson later became the National Chief and Chairman of the O.A. prior to his untimely death in 1955.

Warpath Ridge Scout Trail

In the late 1960's a local Explorer Post / Troop in the Huntsville, Alabama area put together a hiking trail that encompassed Monte Sano State Park.  The park overlooked the City of Huntsville and is a local recreational destination for people living in the area.  When put together, the Trail circumvented the entire park bringing the hike to between 9-10 miles.  It was a short-lived trail as were other local hikes - Space Walk Trail & the  Big Springs Trail.

This patch was unique for not only its Arrowhead shape and button loop attachment (most were sewn out of the patch during this time) but for the Arrowhead that was glued to the center portion of the patch.  This became a very coveted Trail Patch to obtain or earn.  Due to its short life, not many of these patches made it out to the Scouts.  Many were destroyed by Scouts who wanted to take the Arrowheads off.  They are to this day one of the most unique Trail Patches ever produced and equally as hard to find.

1960 Jubilee Jamboree "Adventure Award"

1n 1960, the 5th National Jamboree was held at Colorado Springs, CO.  The event celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the BSA with a scenic view of Pikes Peak just to the West.  As with other Jamborees, the Troops were divided into Regions.  Each Region camped together and did various events with friends and fellow Troop members.  One of the unique opportunities offered at the Jubilee Jamboree was the chance to complete a series of events at the Jamboree and earn the coveted "Adventure Award".  Upon completion, Scouts were awarded a certificate stating they had earned the award at the Jamboree.

Most other Regions created special Jamboree patches for the event.  Region V decided to take another approach.  Instead of a Region Patch, they created an "Adventure Award" Rocker that went underneath the Julbilee Jamboree Patch.  It was designed to spur Scouts in this Region to complete the Award at a higher percentage of Scouts from other Regions.  The golden twill patch had the Region V Shield and V with Arrow through it.  This is one very had to find patch - especially in Mint condition, as most Scouts earning it received one and immediately sewed the patch underneath their Jambo Patch.  Scouts from other Regions were only given the certificate of completion while Region V Scouts came away with a highly prozed collectible.   

1956 Region V Explorer Air Encampment - Memphis NAS

In the late 1940's to 1960's, Exploring Scouts participated in Regional Encampments.  Usually these were held at Air Force Bases or Naval Air Stations. The genesis was likely the Air Scout program of the 1940's and it evolved into a Senior Scouting event for Explorers.  The patch shown above is from the 1956 Explorer Encampment held at the Memphis or Millington Naval Air Station just north of Memphis.  Scouts from Region V (Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisana and Arkansas) participated.  The patch pictures the U.S. Navy's newest jet - the Grumman U.S.S. Intrepid F9F-8 Cougar VF-61.

Unique to this event held in early 1956 was the fact that there were Air demonstrations; displays and talent shows.  At the annual talent show on Saturday evening legend has it that Elvis Presley himself made a surprise appearance for the Scouts.  Presley was just making it big and was about to hit the top of the charts with "Heartbreak Hotel" after moving over to RCA Records.  Many scouts claim he was there though no photos officially exist of the visit. Even without this, the above patch is one of the most highly collectible Air Encampment Patches ever made due to the Region identification, location of the event, possible guest and the pictured new F9F - 8 Cougar.  You are a lucky Scout if you have this one in your collection.

Region V Acorn Felt

In 1936 the Boys Scouts of America adopted a new program under the direction of Chief Scout Excecutive Dr. James E. West and BSA President Walter Head.  The program was called the "President Walter W. Head Acorn Award".  The award was designed to get Scouts and Leaders to expand Scouting in their communities.  The symbolism of the Acorn came to Dr. West from a conversation he had with Lord Baden-Powell.  Basically it revolved around how a small acorn planted at Brownsea Island in 1907 would 29 years later result in a large Oak Tree.  BSA President Walter W. Head (who founded American General Life) was asked to promote this on behalf of the BSA.  Pins and Ribbons were awarded to Units and Scouts who met the goals set.

Region V of the BSA which was composed of the Deep South States of Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas (part of NW Florida and NW Georgia were also in the Region), decided to incorporate this into their Region Felt patch.  Introduced sometime in the late 1930's, it was mostly a Professional Scout patch. It did not hold up well to the weather, washings and moths - so few made it to today as Mint!  These are assumed to have been made by Standard Pennant in Pennsylvania. In the 1940's the Acorn was replaced with the Roman Numeral V Felt which later gave way to the Red, White & Blue Region V Shield Patch.  Most Region V patches are very collectible, none moreso than the "Acorn Felt".     

1960 Jubilee Scout-O-Rama

In 1960 the Boy Scouts of America celebrated their Golden Anniversary or "Jubilee".  That year saw a myriad of patches which were designed identical to one another.  They included the 1960 National Jamboree; Philmont Scout Ranch; Jubilee Camporee; Schiff Scout Reservation; Cub Scout Jubilee & Jubilee Field Day.  All of these were Golden Yellow twill with Red embroidery.  While like most patches of the time, simplistic, these patches jumped out at you and were considered not only good looking but a great collectible that have held their value to this day.

The only exception to the above patches was the one pictured above - the "White" Twill Jubilee Scout-O-Rama.  No one is really sure why these ended up White as opposed to the other patches for the Golden Jubilee, but they became even more sought out than the other patches because they were different.  As far as Jamborees go, this patch design is considered by collectors to be the best of all Jamborees - though many feel the 1969 Jamboree Deer Patch was perfection.  Regardless, these patches from our 50th Anniversary are still keepers and have great eye appeal and collectibility.  For more information on these patches go to  http://www.d1053375.domain.com/1960.html

"Three Cloud" Cowikee 224 Round

The "Three Cloud" Cowikee R1 is probably the most sought after O.A. Patch in Alabama.  While there are some questions as to how many were issued (50 as was published or even 100) they are still a difficult to find patch.   This patch was issued in 1948 and was simplistic but beautiful in design.  Three rounded White Clouds with an Orange Thunderbolt (a symbol of Good Luck).  The totem for the Lodge changed in 1953 to the Crossed Calumets - also a symbol of Good Luck.  Yet it is the "Three Cloud" that pre-occupies collectors of the Lodge and Arrowmen in the state.  The "Three Cloud" pictured here once belonged to Cowikee first Vigil Mr. Gene Ramage, who in turn passed it along to 1965 DSA Awardee & Cowikee Chief Morgan Weeed upon keeping his Vigil in 1961.  Morgan was killed in Vietnam, May 1970 but is still honored in Cowikee lore - the Section to which the Lodge belongs gives out the Morgan W. Weed Best Lodge Award each year at their Conclave.

The lodge name Cowikee came from the creek that ran by the old lodge home - Camp Rotary, just outside Eufuala, AL.  Cowikee translates to "river that meets itself". More about the history of Cowikee Lodge can be found at http://www.alflcouncilbsa.org/cowikee.html

"Westmoreland Wings"

In 1929, Camp Westmoreland BSA opened for business just outside of Florence, Alabama.  Located on the banks of Shoal Creek, the camp is one of the oldest Boy Scout Reservations in the United States.  Westmoreland introduced a Pre-OA Honor Society Patch system for Scouts attending Camp.  First year scouts completing certain requirements could earn their "Woodsman" Wings (shown here).  Second thru Fouth Year Scouts could earn their "Brave", "Warrior" or "Chief" Wings if they were able to complete all requirements expected of them each year.  They were brought to Westmoreland by Scout Executive Hap Hubard who had picked up on ideas of Honor Societies in and around Camp Friedlander Ohio.

The Wings became a fixture for many years and appeared at the top of the Merit Badge Sash.  They were not given out, they had to be earned.  Much like the Order of the Arrow, each level brought with it more responsibility and requirements.  The Wings were all Wool Felt created by Standard Pennant of Big Run, PA.  Today they are some of the most treasured Camp Patches in the South - and hard to acquire.  To this day Camp Westmoreland still awards Wings for 8 hours of Service to the Camp.  More information on the Wings and Camp can be found at http://www.campwestmorelandbsa.org/