The idea arose in 1934 to host a special North Carolina celebration recognizing the 25th anniversary of the Scouting movement, which would be commemorated in 1935. Later in August, a National Jamboree would be held in Washington, D.C. to recognize the milestone. The Jubilee was North Carolina's tribute to strong contributions of Scouting in the state. Over 1,200 Scouts and Scouters attended from throughout the state.

That first Jubilee was held in conjunction with the third annual Dogwood Festival on the University of North Carolina campus, in partial to promote the Scouting program to 8,000 public visitors. The UNC courtyards lined with plush-green grass and tall oak trees were an ideal site for this important event because the university grounds extended a sense of historic state tradition and was centrally located in the state. Due to a tragic outbreak of polio, the National Jamboree was canceled and the Chapel Hill event became the highlight of the year for the Region.

A Jubilee Committee comprised of eight volunteers led by Dr. Harold Meyer on the UNC faculty and a member of the Region Six Executive Committee, coordinated the event. He oversaw it's location, facilities, University cooperation, and military supplements. The Region Six Scout Executive at the time was Kenneth Bentz from Atlanta, who served as Meyer's professional counterpart.

Council contingents were organized in troops. Scouts wore tan uniform shirts, lace below-the-knee knickers, multi-colored neckerchiefs, and brown-wool campaign-style hats as they neatly organized thier camping sites arriving on Thursday afternoon, April 25th. Olive-green army pup tents dotted the attractive woodland encompassing Emerson Field, the old athletic stadium located inbetween the Tin-Can gymnasium and the Old Bell tower, which all landmarks were in sight of the projected gray-concrete sides of Kenan Stadium.

 

Daily activities included events for both individual Scouts and patrols with an emphasis on Scouting skills, drill exercises, and a tour of the University's historic campus. Each night a campfire was well-planned and included songs, skits, and influential speakers. The weekend was highlighted with a special Saturday night Scout pageant, which was also seen by visitors and guests. All twelve councils in the state were responsible for a specific portion of the campfire. The captone was the presentation of new Eagle Scouts by Dr. James E. West, then Chief Scout Executive.

North Carolina Scouts convened again in Chapel Hill for the second Jubilee three years later. Attendance increased to 1,425 participants throughout both North and South Carolina. While events remained basically the same as the first event, this time Scouts were privileged guests at a UNC-Tulane football game at Kenan Stadium.

Eagle Scout Terry Sanford, a former United State Senator (D-NC), past state govenor, and past President of Duke University, represented the national Scouting fraternity Alpha Phi Omega on the jubilee committee. Sanford helped to organize the evening campfires and coordinate a luncheon meeting of alumni Scouts with Dr. West. Sanford shared his memory of the event with me, "I vividly remember meeting Dr. James E. West and talking with him in an open car. In fact, after the Jubilee I had considered becoming a Scouting executive, but my career turned in various other directions."  

A small light-blue felt patch with the words "Carolina Jubilee" embroidered in white thread was presented to participants who attended.

Scouts Waiting in Line
1938 Carolina Jubilee

 Patch earned by Eagle Scout Carl Knott
1938

Just a few months shy of the beginning of the Second World War, the last Jubilee was held, attendance increased to 1,500. Representatives as far away from Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina joined thier brethren in North Carolina. Participants attended the season opener football game against Lenoir-Rhyne College.

The Second World War brought closure of the Jubilee. The event was placed on a clean shelf awaiting to be rekindled in three years; but the event was forgotten and left undusted. The first two events were different because they were during the days of the depression. The last Jubilee ended with the inevitability of a fast-approaching war. Contributions made by Scouts who attended the Carolina Jubilees would be significant to the war effort because most would venture off to serve their country, and some would die for the cause of freedom. W.A. Dobson, the Region Six Scout Executive in 1941, relayed this message at the closing campfire:

"You will find this experience most helpful in any time and everything you do. It is particularly vital in times of emergency....or possibly war.....when you might be called to give directions, carry a message, or perform any other of a number of services that required exact accuracy."

Dobson's inspiring words transcended the thousand some odd youth who intently listened thinking of their futures. The United State convened on an international battleground three months later.