They’re everywhere. In the shade. On a small piece of land. In front of tents. Coming in all shapes, sizes and ages, they form groups, sometimes hordes. Furious trading occurs. They are the jamboree patch traders.
Many Scouts said they have been given advice or rules for patch trading.
Here are some simple trading courtesies that Scouters should follow:
- Scouts trade with Scouts
- Adults trade with adults
- One patch for one patch, two for two, etc.
- One set for one set
- No buying or selling patches
- Comments like “rare,” “one of a kind,” and “few made” can be just hype and you should use caution
“I tell the boys if someone is pushing you to trade patches against the rules, then walk away,” said David Young, one of the Scoutmasters with Troop 925, Green River, Wyoming.
Andrew Shipotofsky, 17, Erial, New Jersey, made his first trade Tuesday. “This was pretty neat. I like meeting different people and hearing about their experiences.”
“Patch trading is funner than I thought,” said Kyle Morgan, Severna Park, Maryland.
Several different groups of Scouts said the hot patches were Halo, X-Men, Stargate, Star Wars, dragons, and international patches.
Some jamboree patches are sold, such as those from the Hot Air Balloon staff. They sell shoulder patches for $10, jacket patches for $20, and a double-sided donor patch for $50. The money pays for the balloons and their upkeep.
The trading posts also sell patches. The patch-of-the-day is extremely popular and often sells out within hours.
We must remember what jamboree is about.
Trading patches is and will be forever part of scouting spirt of friendship and camaraderie.
Take time to know a litle about the other scouts, who you trade your patches and don’t forget to shake hands after trading .
Why does your patch of the day sell out? More should have been ordered to sell and limits on how many Adults can buy should be in place.
Patches are only worth the Stitches they are made from. Trade 1-4-1, leave the Shark Trading for us older Stitch Counters. Go out and make a friend, THEN trade a patch. You’ll always remember that individual, rather than the item. ADULTS, go out, find a Scout towards the end of the week who is looking a little tired, hand him a patch as a gift, and tell him to do the same some day. (Pay it Forward)
Well said. This Centennial Jamboree is a special event for the scouts, leaders, and staff. It will make a lasting impression on
everyone including visitors. I am a parent of a scout attending and after looking at the videos and pictures, I would love to
be there. We all share a common bond, scouting. I know the patch trading is a tradition, but it seems like the Jambo is the
“Six Flags” of Scouting. What a great vacation!
I saw several adults trading with Scouts. That is against policy. They were so obvious that they must not be aware of policy. They could use a friendly reminder.
so disappointed in the jambo ‘patch of the day’ program. These scouts worked hard to get there – and enough should’ve been made for each scout to have one – not 2010 – for over 40,ooo scouts. VERY disappointing.
Totally agreed, more time wasted in line for a patch, however we must also understand that a simple item such as Patches is a major source of funds to National.
On the Adult Trading, YES, it is absolutely WRONG, unless the Scout goes and get’s one of his leaders to complete/Supervise the trade. The Adult there should always see to this, as it would leave question regarding Youth Protection Specifics.
So sad to report that all my youngest son’s patches were stolen out of his tent today. We bought alot for him to trade because our older Eagle had such a great experience meeting and trading when he attended. It is a large campsite with 240 . Not a good memory.
Disappointed Mom
Sorry to hear about your son’s patches. I can relate as my son’s bag of patches to trade were taken while he was in the process of making a trade! Crazy but as stated elsewhere there are so many other things to do and see that this should’t overshadow the overall exciting experience of being there.
Please don’t get so hung up on patches that you don’t enjoy all there is at the Jamboree. I am enjoying it so much through our troop blogs and the Jamboree radio station, photos, Journal, etc. Thank you for providing so many ways for those at home to be a part of this wonderful experience. Nina Lassiter WD Boyce Council
I’m sorry to hear that a Scout’s patches were stolen. There’s another way Scouts and their patches get separated and that’s by losing them. Included in the grocery-bag-sized collection of forgotten Scout gear I turned into lost-and-found today were one large and one small bag of patches (along with a half-dozen water bottles, some neckerchiefs, a very nice pocket knife, and some other gear). All of this was left in the Robotics Merit Badge booth in just one day. If you are a Scout who is missing something, check where you worked on merit badges.
And if you are low on patches, you can earn a souvenir patch at the Robotics MB booth by driving a robot and taking “the pledge.” No need to trade — drive a robot, get a patch — at least until we run out, so come by soon. (This is NOT a MB patch, it’s a souvenir.)
My son is looking for his knife that he had bought at the jamboree. Has the knife been this been turned into the Heth schoolhouse. Where is that located? He can identify it.
His name is
Shane Bell
subcamp 16, Troop 1637, patrol mustang
Sorry, Shane, I’m home now, and probably couldn’t even help anways. I know the Merit Badge Midway has its own Lost and Found table, and I assume there are others in various places at Jambo. I hope he found his knife.
My son called me that hes patches are all gone (traded) To send him more! Thank god theres is a mother that is going today to to the jamboree from Puerto Rico and she is going to give him the patches! now I have none!
I sent my son with Pre Stanped Priority Mail envelopes so he could mail stuff home. He is now a leader, but as a scout his friend has patches stolen. It is sad, but a part of lige