Well, a patch it is not. But a great pieces of Scouting history it is. Neal Slides were known far and wide in Scouting circles from the 1950's through the 70's. Famous for their Bakelite slides that could be personalized for any event or theme, they were seen by many Scouts across the country. There are many collectors of Neal Slides and one of the hardest to find is the 1964 "Choccolocco 1".
On July 10th 1964 one hundred and twenty-four Scouts and leaders from the Choccolocco Council boarded buses in route to the 1964 National Jamboree held in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. While ate the National Jamboree the contingent from Northeast Alabama participated in many Scouting activities along with 53,000 other Scouts from across the country and world. Highlights of the trip included a visit by President Lyndon Johnson.
Each member of the Choccolocco Council contingent received the above Neal Slide for the event. It was based on the design of the Choccolocco Council # 1 patch. These slides although distinctive presented a problem for the group. Many complained of the top of the “one” poking into their throat while at the jamboree and many of these slides didn’t survive in tact for that same reason. A great piece of Choccolocco memorabilia that is rarely seen! Many thanks to Seth Hill for providing this scan and history!
See my articles on Neal Slides in the International Scouting Collectors Association Journal. The general one is in Vol. 15, No. 2 June 2000. The one on 1964 National Jamboree Neal Slides is Vol.5,No. 2 June 2005. Also see my book done with Greg Rosalia For A Real Slide, Get a Neal Slide-A Neal Slide Guide Book, April 2015.
ReplyDeleteThe Choccolocco Neal Slide as indicated on the back, was made between 1959-1961. It could have been the contingent slide to the 1960 N.J., but not likely the 1964 N. J. It is pictured in the book, but not noted as a Jamboree slide.