William Penn Life, 2015 (50. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2015-11-01 / 11. szám

There was a battle reenactment of the Ferenc Rákóczi-led Freedom Fight of 1703 in which the Hungarians fought against the Hapsburgs. As the scout troops prepared for battle, scouts from New Zealand and the Pacific area performed a Maori-style warrior dance to prepare for the fight. Cannons were fired, and the scouts used flour bombs (flour wrapped in tissue) to create a smoky haze across the battlefield...and a victory for the Hungarians. (The outcome of the battle was changed just a little on behalf of the scouts).

During a break in activities, we were allowed to tour the many scout camps scattered across the park’s 120 acres. My Fitbit said I took more than I 1,000 steps—and walked more than five miles—in one day. I am sure the kids were in the best shape ever by the time the Jamboree ended since they had to traverse the main field several times a day.

Two aspects of the subcamps stood out for me. One was a Ferris wheel constructed of rope, logs and branches in one of the boys’ camps (ages about 12 to 16). The four-seat ride had a metal cylinder that allowed the wheel to rotate but was driven solely by muscle power. It was created in a week. This same group also built a sauna as well as a small rubber swimming pool to cool off.

The other memorable aspect was that the girls (ages 12 to 16) built their camp in the trees. Platforms and ladders were built in the trees for their sleeping bags, air mattresses and tarp coverings. Underneath were storage areas for backpacks and other supplies.

I was truly impressed by the skills the scouts used and would take home with them.

Opposite page, clockwise from top, left: A scout camp erected in the trees; young women dressed for a mock falusi lakodalom (village wedding); folk musicians provide music for the wedding; Ferenc Rákóczi leads scout troops into a battle reenactment.

This page, top, from left Flags of the nations represented at the Jamboree; the park's tánc ház (dance house) was originally built for the 2013 Folklife Festival in Washington D.C., but was dismantled and reassembled at Sik Sándor Cserkészpark; Dr. Réka Szemerkényi, Ambassador of Hungary to the U.S., extends greetings to the scouts; scouts constructed a Ferris wheel from ropes, logs and branches.

This page, bottom, right: The Jamboree closed with a bonfire.

In the afternoon, all of the scout troops marched onto the field in preparation for six mock falusi lakodalmok (village weddings). The scouts wore traditional costumes and performed dances and songs reflecting the particular area of Hungary they were representing. I recognized some of the music and folk costumes from my WPA trips to Hungary.

After the weddings, a dinner for more than 1,000 people was served. I could not imagine what the kitchens were like at that time. The evening ended with a bonfire which included readings, poetry and stories of Ferenc Rákóczi and the 1703 Freedom Fight.

This was a monumental event, and I got to see only a small part of what it took to coordinate this 11 -day undertaking: scout transportation to and from the park; travel to the Fillmore area; medical doctors and nurses who volunteered their time for the camp; cooks and food for all of the campers; transporting each camp’s meals three times a day every day; guest arrangements; developing a theme for the scouts to learn; musicians; the preparation and maintenance of the park grounds; the dismantling, transportation and reassembling of the Hungarian structures from the Folklife Festival; wiring the grounds with electrical service; and many more logistical issues too numerous to mention.

I have to thank my many translators: Vali Ratoni-Nagy, Vera Harris, Peter and Laurie Daroczy, Zsuzsa Daroczy, Endre Szentkirályi, Eszti Pigniczky, Bea Tabor, Pál Szentkirályi, John and Marilyn Szendry, and Csaba Varga. They helped me have a wonderful time and enabled me to more fully appreciate what I experienced.

William Penn Life 0 November 2015 0 15