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.
No comments:
Post a Comment