The 15th World Scout Jamboree was scheduled to take place in Nishapur, Iran, from July 15 to 23, 1979, at the newly developed “Omar Khayyám Scout Park.” The site had been tested during the Second Asia-Pacific Jamboree in 1977 and was expected to host thousands of Scouts from around the world. However, the event was canceled due to the Iranian Revolution, which led to significant political instability in the country.
In response to the cancellation, the World Organization of the Scout Movement declared 1979 the “World Scout Jamboree Year.” To ensure that Scouts still had an opportunity for international exchange, a series of alternative camps were organized in different countries, including Australia, Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. These camps aimed to keep the spirit of the Jamboree alive, offering Scouts worldwide a chance to connect and share in the values of Scouting despite the setback.
The next official World Scout Jamboree was held in 1983 in Canada, with the theme “The Spirit Lives On,” reflecting the resilience and enduring global community of the Scouting movement.
