Monday, November 10, 2014

Franklin Roosevelt Supports Boy Scouts of America's First Jamboree


Photo of Franklin Roosevelt

Pol Light Moment #99 is when Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) gave his Presidential support to the Boy Scouts of America having their first Jamboree on June 30, 1937.  Roosevelt himself had been a Boy Scout.  Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 32nd President of the United States and served from 1933 until his death in 1945. Franklin D. Roosevelt also served as the Governor of New York from 1929-1932.

The National Scout Jamboree is held every four years for ten days in the Summer. Scouting Magazine featured an article detailing the tremendous support Franklin Roosevelt gave the Boy Scouts of America as they held their first jamboree on June 30, 1937.
On June 30, 1937, the jamboree opened. Scouts were greeted at their campsites with copies of the Jamboree Journal, a photograph of FDR on page one. The president’s message of greeting praised Scouting as a great source of training in the virtues of good citizenship. 
FDR gave his personal attention to the huge gathering. After taking 12 Eagle Scouts to baseball’s annual major-league all-star game, he toured the jamboree site. Accompanied by James West and National Scout Commissioner Dan Beard, he stopped at the Sea Scouts’ camp and then visited the Scouts from Duchess County, N.Y., whose construction of a large replica of the Roosevelt family home at Hyde Park, N.Y., attracted his attention. 
The president, from his touring car, awarded an Eagle badge, spoke with leaders, examined some handicrafts, and posed for photographs. As his car moved out of the jamboree site, many Scouts swarmed around it, seeking a look at the president (Scouting Magazine, March, 2003, A Best Friend in the White House).

Franklin D. Roosevelt has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Franklin Roosevelt posts search with Franklin Roosevelt label at Pol Light.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Photo: The photo in this post is in the Public Domain. It was obtained from Wikipedia.

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