The 8th World Scouting Jamboree: August 18-28, 1955
This was the first major Scouting event outside of Europe. The Jamboree was named "New Horizons" and was hosted on the grounds of the Commons around Fort George.
Map of the Camp grounds (1955)Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum
Layout of the camp sites
Three days before the opening day of the Jamboree, the tail end of Hurricane Connie came through Niagara-on-the-Lake. The wind and rain wreaked havoc on the campsites and dining tents.
Volunteers came from all across Niagara to help repair the damages.
Head Count
By the beginning of the event, nearly 11,000 people had registered, representing 68 countries.
Since this was the first Jamboree in the Western hemisphere, a fund was established to offset the costs and enable more distant scouts to attend.
Jamborees enabled Scouts from around the world to share different cultures, music, food and make new friends. The events are planned every four years in a different country. The 8th Jamboree was the first outside of Europe. Many Scouts travelled by conventional methods (planes, trains, boats, and automobiles) while others used less conventional ways to get to Niagara (bicycle, hitchhiking, and road tripping).
Brazilian Scouts
These Scouts left Rio de Janeiro on April 1st. They travelled up the Pan-American Highway and then cut across the US toward Niagara. They left the Jamboree for Alaska with the goal of visiting the Arctic Circle before heading home. Their total journey lasted 1 year and 12 days.
Italian Scouts
Part of the Italian Scout Troop travelled to the Jamboree on the merchant vessel “Leone”. They left Triste on July 26th to arrive at the Jamboree on time.
Scout photo souvenir Jamboree Representatives around EmblemNiagara-on-the-Lake Museum
Representatives of National Contingents
The floral bed depicts the First Class Badge of Scouting. It was planted by the Niagara Parks Commission using 3,600 plants. In 1955, it was believed to be the largest floral bed of its kind in Canada.
Scout photo souvenir GG opens JamboreeNiagara-on-the-Lake Museum
Opening Ceremonies
Governor General Vincent Massey, the first governor general of Canada who was born in Canada after Confederation, gave a speech to officially open the Jamboree.
Lady Baden-Powell attended the Jamboree in Niagara as the Chief Guide of the World. She was the widow of Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouting movement. After attending the opening ceremonies, Lady Baden-Powell sent this letter to the Town of Niagara in thanks for their hospitality.
A television tower was erected by the Bell Telephone Company for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Most of the ceremonies, presentations, and events were televised. People could enjoy the Jamboree from the comfort of their own homes.
grand stand at Jamboree (1955)Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum
The Arena
The Grandstand at the Jamboree was constructed by the Sarnia Bridge Company. It could seat 10,000 people for all the presentations and ceremonies.
The Department of National Defense operated a 101 bed hospital out of the Parliament Oak School. They staffed the hospital with 9 Doctors, 2 Dentists, a Matron, 17 Nurses, and 52 other staff members. By the end of the 10 day Jamboree, the hospital helped nearly 600 people.
The Post Office erected on site was a key feature for Scouts to keep in contact with their families. Commemorative stamps were available for purchase at the Post Office and specially designed envelopes could be bought at the different camps' supply tents.
Fire Fighting Services
The Jamboree Fire-fighting Service was manned by the St. Catharines Fire Department with 34 men working 2 shifts.
Sunday Services
Religious ceremonies were held for every faith and for all Scouts. Three thousand Scouts attended service at St. Mark's Anglican Church during the Jamboree.
Scout photo souvenir Brock's Monument, Jamboree tourNiagara-on-the-Lake Museum
A sightseeing trip was split over 4 days and required 70 buses to take everyone around the Niagara Region (the main attraction being Niagara Falls).
Also, an additional trip to the Canadian National Exhibition was arranged for everyone.
Jamboree Souvenir Magazine FrigidaireNiagara-on-the-Lake Museum
Feeding so many people was a challenge. Luckily with a donation of refrigerators and refrigerated train cars, the perishable foods were kept cold.
This patch celebrates the 8th World Scouting Jamboree in 1955. The theme of this Jamboree was "New Horizons". Each Scout was also provided with a souvenir postage stamp (compliments of the Bank of Nova Scotia) and a commemorative coin (compliments of the St. Catharines & District Chamber of Commerce).
