Celebrating half a century since the Scout Jamboree

Deepa Bharath

Don Webb first came to Newport Beach 50 years ago.

The councilman and former public works director said he believes

his first trip to Newport Beach from his native Arizona and his

memorable experience camping out with tens of thousands of Boy Scouts

during the Boy Scouts Jamboree may have had something to do with his

desire to make the coastal town his home.

The Boy Scouts Jamboree will celebrate its 50th anniversary today

at Fashion Island. Fifty years ago, the event began near

Robinsons-May’s current location, said Jason Stein, director of field

services for the Orange County Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

About 51,000 scouts from 48 states and 17 countries congregated

there, he said. The weeklong event was so huge that the area had its

own post office, petting zoo and telephone exchange, Stein said.

Tonight’s public celebration, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Wolfgang

Puck’s Cafe, will feature a flag ceremony, Webb discussing his

memories of the Jamboree and recognition of other alums.

The 1953 Jamboree was also special to many Orange County scouts

because it was the only one held on the West Coast, Stein said.

“For scouts, the Jamboree has always been the best scouting

experience of their lives,” he said.

The event is held once every four years at Valley Forge in

Washington D.C.

Webb said he has several fond memories from the Jamboree.

“The thing I remember most vividly is that we had this candlelight

ceremony where [then-Vice President Richard] Nixon spoke,” he

recalled. “And then we had 50,000 to 60,000 candles light up the

hillside in Eastbluff. It was amazing.”

Jamboree Road was named after that event. In fact, the road was

created to get the scouts into the area. It was ironic for Webb

because he ended up responsible for paving and widening the road as

the city’s public works director in 1962, he said.

“It was a tremendous learning experience for me,” Webb said.

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at [email protected].