Patch Trading at the WSJ
A quick search on eBay right now will bring up about 285,000+ Scouting America items for sale. Trading has been around for over 5,000 years. It was a way for people to get the goods they needed, whether for food or luxury items like spices and silk. Today, the fascination with collecting and trading has not diminished! When you collect something, inevitably you get to where you have something that someone else wants, and someone else has something you want.
The earliest recorded long-distance trade ever documented was believed to have occurred around 3000 BC. The earliest recorded World Scout Jamboree trade was thought to have happened in 1920 at the 1st World Scout Jamboree. Back then there were no badges or items designed specifically for collecting or trading, just stickers, stamps, and other paper items. People exchanged what they had and objects that were unique to where they came from – their home country.
Fast forward to the 2nd and 3rd WSJ’s, and that is where people started creating specific pieces to trade with fellow Scouts. This tradition has only grown with time! Historically, hat pins were a favorite trade item. Now, Scouts trade patches, pins, coins… you name it; someone probably collects it! Since about the 1940s, patches have been the most popular item to swap hands.
The World Scout Jamboree is the largest camping event organized by the Scout Movement, gathering as many as 50,000 Scouts and leaders every four years from the 165 National Scout Organizations in more than 200 countries and territories. It is a rich and diverse community, and the ancient pastime of trading is alive and well! With the theme for this year being “Unlock a New World,” it is only more fitting that the collecting hobby is larger now than ever! This year’s theme speaks to the new adventures, cultures, and friendships that will be shared by Scouts from around the world during the twelve-day event.
As we move closer to the 24th World Scout Jamboree, I wanted to bring a few best practices top of mind. After talking to a local historian who specializes in Scouting America items and the Chair of the Commissioner Team for the WSJ, I realized just how important it is to root into Scout spirit, as brought forth originally by Robert Baden-Powell.
- Bring your best Scout Spirit! As you take part in trading, bring your most friendly, polite, and courteous self to the table! The way you act and treat others reflects on the Scouting America as a whole, and you (yes, YOU!) and your actions matter. You (again, YES – YOU!) are an ambassador for our country. Consider that the real rewards in trading are the friendships and connections you make along the way. Russell Smart said it best when he said, “Giving of yourself in friendship to other Scouts from all around the world is the greatest single thing you have to offer.”
You can take these memories even further by creating a special book with the pieces that you collect from this WSJ. For each item, write down the other Scout’s story behind it – who they are, how you met, where they are from, what their goals and dreams are, what they love best about Scouting, etc. That way you are focusing on the person behind the “thing.” That was the original intent behind trading Scout items – to cement friendships!
- Do not trade any award or rank patches. Scouting knots, religious medals, or badges of office should not be exchanged. Doing so violates the Rules and Regulations of the Scouting America.
If you are looking for the perfect collectibles to trade, check out the online-only World Scout Jamboree USA Contingent shop! It has everything you could want to swap with your new friends.
- Use the Buddy System. For obvious safety reasons, AND because happiness is amplified when you get to experience the moments with your friends!
- Be careful on the CONSOL Energy Bridge! The slats are justtttt wide enough for a dropped patch to slide through.
From all of us at Scout Shop, we hope you have the most fantastic time, packed with the best experiences at the 2019 World Scout Jamboree! We would love to see and hear your stories! Tag us using #ScoutShopBSA and show us how you use your Scouting America gear for a chance to be featured on our social channels!