The Pan American Jamboree was held in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil on Jan 3 to Jan 13,2001. The Brazilian Scout Association ran one of the best organized jamborees ever held. There were 4 off site trips to the Iguacu Falls, a trip to the National Park, National Gardens, Paraguay, water park and Power facility.

Transportation to these activities went off "ON TIME" and without problems. Jamboree officials and local police arranged to have police at every intersection along the way to stop traffic so the 20 buses could proceed without having to stop at traffic signals. The buses were numbered and arrived in sequencial order so one didn't have to hunt for his bus number.

This Jamboree was unusual in that meals were served cafeteria style in the convention center. 10,000 Scouts were served 3 meals a day. There were plenty of tables for all and, believe it or not, not more than 10 people on line at any given time. There were about 20 serving positions in the dining hall.

The weather was a bit hot followed by a daily rain in the late afternoon followed by red mud. Usually by mid morning, the rain and mud dried up.

The convention center housed the dining area, numerous National Scout Association booths, bank, exchange booths, scout shops, food booths, computer area for e-mail and a host of other booths.

It was a great Jamboree. Congratulations to the Brazilian Scouts for a job well done.

Brazil is bidding to host the 2010 World Jamboree.

Argentina is bidding to host the 2005 Pan American Jamboree.

In 1989 the Iron Curtain disappeared and the Berlin Wall came tumbling down. The world changed and in the former communist countries Scouting and Guiding revived. This was not so surprising in countries like Hungary, Czechoslovakia etc, where the movements had been forbidden in 1948 and there was still enough people around who knew how to start all over again. But in Russia the movement had been literally routed out in 1922 when the last leaders were executed. And yet Scouting and Guiding were also revived in this vast country in which more than 100 different languages are spoken and there are several religions.

Putting the Russian movements on the rails has caused all those concerned a good deal of worry and a lot of work. Nationalism and religion were barriers of importance and often blocked the creation of one National Scout Movement. Striking it was that the Girl Scouts/Girl Guides went rather smoothly but the Scouts had many problems to solve before they reached a certain unity.

But at long last with his circular no. 20/2000 dated June 30th, 2000 - directed to all International Commissioner - Jacques Moreillon, WOSM’s Secretary General, was able to announce that the VSEROSSIYSKAYA NATSYONALNAYA SKAUTSKAYA ORGANIZATSYA (= All Russia National Scout Organization) had met all the requirements and after consideration by the World Scout Committee would be registered as a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement as per October 1st, 2000.

AZERBAIJAN SKAUT ASSOSIASIYASI (Scout Association of Azerbiajan) has become the 150^th member of WOSM effective August 20, 2000. The registered membership is 1,213 Scouts and leaders. The association was founded in 1997. Scouts of Azerbiajan have participated in the 1998-1999 World Jamboree in Chile as well as several regional National Jamborees.

At the 35^th World Scout Conference in South Africa, 5 new National Scout Organizations have been accepted for WOSM membership. The new Scout Associations are:

The World Scout Conference officially welcomed 10 National Scout Organizations that have been admitted to WOSM since the 35^th World Scout Conference in Norway in 1996. These 10 associations are:

Prior to this World Scout Conference, there were 151 member organizations. The addition of 5 new members brings the total WOSM members to 156.

WORLD SCOUT CONFERENCE NEWS:

BULGARIA was welcomed as the 151^st member of the World Organization (WOSM). The National Organization of Bulgarian Scouts has about 2,000 members with 57 scout groups.

25,000 Scouts, 1,500 leaders, 6,000 International Service Staff and 1,000 non-Scouts from 157 countries and territories, participated in the 19^th World Jamboree in Chile December 27,1998 through January 5, 1999. 132 of the 157 WOSM member countries attended the Jamboree which was 9 less than at the 18^th World Jamboree in Holland.

Mrs. Margot Bogert of New York was elected to a 6 year term on the World Scout Committee.

The National office has sent out Jamboree Staff applications to those individuals who were on staff at the 1997 Jamboree. If you are interested in being on staff for the 2001 National Jamboree, contact your council service center for an application. Foreign Scouts interested in being on the Jamboree Staff should contact their home Scout Association HQ for a Jamboree application.

Troop 5, Massapequa, LI, NY, has begun a fundraising campaign to honor Mr.Vincent Siderine, a former long-time Scoutmaster of the troop. Mr. Siderine passed away recently. Troop members, past and present, want to build a climbing and rappelling tower at Schiff Scout Reservation in his honor. They feel this tower, to be built at the present COPE site, is a fitting tribute to a man who touched the lives of hundreds of Scouts.

Anyone wishing to make a contribution to this fund, should contact Troop 5 by calling 826-5699.

Apr.7-9

Apr.14-16

May 12-14

May 19-21

If you are interested in registering for the weekend high adventure program, contact the Theodore Roosevelt Council Service Center at 797-9765 

Onteora Scout Reservation opened for a week long Scout summer camp. Over 310 Scouts, 80 leaders and 90 plus volunteer staff, participated in the summer camp experience. This is more than twice the number of Scout participants than in 1998.

There were 20 plus CIT's that will be the future staff at Onteora.

25 of the 27 troops participating in this year's summer camp, rolled over their deposits for next summer. This says something about the quality of the program.

With great results, there is a strong possibility of adding more weeks in the next few years.

The merger of the Theodore Roosevelt Council and Suffolk County Council was defeated. The Theodore Roosevelt Council voted to merge while the Suffolk County Council voted against the merger.

The Theodore Roosevelt Council and Suffolk County Council are presently discussing a merger.