West Point Camporee
Encyclopedia
The West Point Camporee
is an annual Invitational Camping Event sponsored by the United States Military Academy
at West Point, New York
. The event consists of a weekend camp out on the Academy property with static and active displays, competitions, demonstrations and trading post. Attendees report it exclusively run by the Cadet
s themselves.
It is managed by an organization called the Scoutmaster's Council. It had a predecessor event in 1961 and 1962 but officially started in 1963. Though the dates have been adjusted to reflect the Academy schedule, since 2001, it is nominally held the first week in May. The Invitational nature reflects the priority for a Cadet to invite his (or her*) home Boy Scout Troop, Venturing Crew, Sea Scout Ship, Varsity Crew or Explorer Post (Boy Scouts of America
(BSA)) or her home Girl Scout Troop (Girl Scouts of the USA
(GSUSA)). If all the available slots are not filled by home units of the Cadets then a lottery is held for other Scout units. Those participating in the lottery suggest they only receive an invitation about once every five years.
Note*: women ages 14-21 can be members of BSA Venturing Crews, Sea Scout Ships or Explorer Posts.
Each attending unit is assigned a Cadet Host (their sponsor where possible) who stays with the unit throughout the event. Most units are encouraged to backpack all of their gear through the not so small hills surrounding West Point. Those who complete this trek earn the prestigious "I Hiked Bull Hill" pin.
Various items commemorating these events have been issued starting with Troop Streamers (for attachment to the Unit Flags in 1961 and 1962), patches for uniform wear (starting 1963), neckerchiefs (starting 1970), mugs, pillows, pins, neckerchief slides, coins, etc.
Attendance was cited in the 1977 Annual Report of the Superintendent as 3,000. At least one United States Postal Service
First Day Cover was issued in 1985 honoring Brigadier General Sylvanus Thayer
, an early superintendent of West Point.
See Listing of West Point Camporees by year and date below.
Camporee
A camporee is a local or regional gathering of Scouting units for a period of camping and common activities. Similar to a camporee, a jamboree occurs less often and draws units from the entire nation or world.-Boy Scouts of America:...
is an annual Invitational Camping Event sponsored by the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
at West Point, New York
West Point, New York
West Point is a federal military reservation established by President of the United States Thomas Jefferson in 1802. It is a census-designated place located in Town of Highlands in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 7,138 at the 2000 census...
. The event consists of a weekend camp out on the Academy property with static and active displays, competitions, demonstrations and trading post. Attendees report it exclusively run by the Cadet
Cadet
A cadet is a trainee to become an officer in the military, often a person who is a junior trainee. The term comes from the term "cadet" for younger sons of a noble family.- Military context :...
s themselves.
It is managed by an organization called the Scoutmaster's Council. It had a predecessor event in 1961 and 1962 but officially started in 1963. Though the dates have been adjusted to reflect the Academy schedule, since 2001, it is nominally held the first week in May. The Invitational nature reflects the priority for a Cadet to invite his (or her*) home Boy Scout Troop, Venturing Crew, Sea Scout Ship, Varsity Crew or Explorer Post (Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
(BSA)) or her home Girl Scout Troop (Girl Scouts of the USA
Girl Scouts of the USA
The Girl Scouts of the United States of America is a youth organization for girls in the United States and American girls living abroad. It describes itself as "the world's preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls". It was founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 and was organized after Low...
(GSUSA)). If all the available slots are not filled by home units of the Cadets then a lottery is held for other Scout units. Those participating in the lottery suggest they only receive an invitation about once every five years.
Note*: women ages 14-21 can be members of BSA Venturing Crews, Sea Scout Ships or Explorer Posts.
Each attending unit is assigned a Cadet Host (their sponsor where possible) who stays with the unit throughout the event. Most units are encouraged to backpack all of their gear through the not so small hills surrounding West Point. Those who complete this trek earn the prestigious "I Hiked Bull Hill" pin.
Various items commemorating these events have been issued starting with Troop Streamers (for attachment to the Unit Flags in 1961 and 1962), patches for uniform wear (starting 1963), neckerchiefs (starting 1970), mugs, pillows, pins, neckerchief slides, coins, etc.
Attendance was cited in the 1977 Annual Report of the Superintendent as 3,000. At least one United States Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
First Day Cover was issued in 1985 honoring Brigadier General Sylvanus Thayer
Sylvanus Thayer
Colonel and Brevet Brigadier General Sylvanus Thayer also known as "the Father of West Point" was an early superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point and an early advocate of engineering education in the United States.-Biography:Thayer was born in Braintree, Massachusetts,...
, an early superintendent of West Point.
See Listing of West Point Camporees by year and date below.
West Point Camporees
| # | Year | Date |
|---|---|---|
| -2 | 1961 | |
| -1 | 1962 | |
| 1 | 1963 | |
| 2 | 1964 | |
| 3 | 1965 | |
| 4 | 1966 | |
| 5 | 1967 | |
| 6 | 1968 | |
| 7 | 1969 | |
| 8 | 1970 | |
| 9 | 1971 | |
| 10 | 1972 | |
| 11 | 1973 | |
| 12 | 1974 | |
| 13 | 1975 | |
| 14 | 1976 | |
| 15 | 1977 | |
| 16 | 1978 | |
| 17 | 1979 | |
| 18 | 1980 | |
| 19 | 1981 | |
| 20 | 1982 | |
| 21 | 1983 | |
| 22 | 1984 | |
| 23 | 1985 | |
| 24 | 1986 | |
| 25 | 1987 | |
| 26 | 1988 | |
| 27 | 1989 | |
| 28 | 1990 | |
| 29 | 1991 | |
| 30 | 1992 | |
| 31 | 1993 | |
| 32 | 1994 | |
| 33 | 1995 | |
| 34 | 1996 | April 26-28, 1996 |
| 35 | 1997 | April 11-13, 1997 |
| 36 | 1998 | April 17-19, 1998 |
| 37 | 1999 | April 16-18, 1999 |
| 38 | 2000 | April 7-9, 2000 |
| 39 | 2001 | May 4-6, 2001 |
| 40 | 2002 | May 3-5, 2002 |
| 41 | 2003 | May 9-11, 2003 |
| 42 | 2004 | May 7-9, 2004 |
| 43 | 2005 | May 6-8, 2005 |
| 44 | 2006 | May 5-7, 2006 |
| 45 | 2007 | May 4-6, 2007 |
| 46 | 2008 | May 9-11, 2008 |
| 47 | 2009 | May 1-3, 2009 |
| 48 | 2010 | April 30-May 2, 2010 |
| 49 | 2011 | April 29-May 1, 2011 |