At the Jamboree, located at the eastern foot of the Canadian Rockies, the boys met Scouts from 94 different countries and traded their hats, neckerchiefs, patches, and even uniform shirts for the Scout regalia of other countries.

Troop 129 at entrance to World Jamboree grounds.

One day of the visit was devoted to exploring the beauties of the Canadian Rockies, a land of spruce covered peaks rising to breathtaking heights, supporting massive glaciers, and dotted with turquoise glacial lakes.

The bus took the boys to the Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park. Here the Scouts had an opportunity to climb on the glacier and view firsthand nature's carving of mountains and rivers. The glacial runoff, which was responsible from some muddy shoes, forms the Athabasca River, which eventually flows into Hudson's Bay.

Members of Troop 129 climb the Athabasca Glacier.

On the plain to the east of the mountain range lies Calgary, Alberta, home of North America's most spectacular rodeo, the Calgary Stampeded, a 10-day affair held each July, and drawing contestants from both American continents. Attending the rodeo one day, the boys witnessed unusual events such as wild horse roundup and chuckwagon races in addition to the traditional steer wrestling, calf roping, and bronco and bull riding.

The Scouts followed two different routes on the trip, giving them an opportunity to travel through seven western states, visiting national landmarks on the way. Lunch was generally prepared at campgrounds or roadside parks, and overnight stops were often at Air Force or Army bases, sometimes with the opportunity to use the swimming pools and recreation centers at the bases. In Calgary, the Troop was hosted by the First Lutheran Church and given the use of their recreation hall for several days.

Boy Scouts of Troop 129 at the Welcome Center at the Canadian--American border.

The boys left Oak Ridge on July 1 and returned July 17. By July 4, they had reached the Black Hills of South Dakota and witnessed the Independence Day celebrations at Mount Rushmore. At Devil's Tower, Wyoming (865 feet high, 1000 feet wide at the bases), the boys suggested applying their previously acquired rappelling training. Scoutmaster Tom Moore vetoed the idea.

On the return trip, the Troop visited Custer Battlefield National Monument in Montana, the restored military post of Fort Laramie, Wyo., the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, the Garden of Gods and the White House Ranch, where the history of a Colorado ranch from 1860 to 1910 was brought to life.

Members of the troop who made the trip were: Keith Annis, Brian Beaty, Matt Bowers, Mike Brandon, Todd Brooks, Scott Bunton, John Carpenter, Chris Carter, Marc Chattin, Boyd Domm, Mike Fry, Brett Graham, Matt Guymon, Steve Hickey, Michael Joyce, Dinesh Kaushal, Phillip Kosinski, Chris Kruzic, Sean Minch, Lee Mlekodaj, Matt Osucha, Chris Pelzel, Brian Quinley, Karl Rapp, Billy Rhyne, Mike Rhyne, Robby Sitterson, Scott Snyder, Greg Stokes, Brian Story, Michael Stricklin, Gary Thaler, Judson Walsh, Robert Westfall, Eddie Woodson and Mark Woodson.

They were accompanied by Scoutmaster Tom Moore; Assistant Scoutmasters Jerry Brooks, Terry Domm, Dwayne Fry and Lloyd Stokes; and Troop Committee members Dave Bunton, chairman, Fred Chattin, Betty Ann Domm, Judy Fry, Ann Moore, Susan Rapp, Bill Rhyne and Jane Walsh.

Requiring months of advance preparation, the excursion was coordinated by Bill Rhyne. A number of Oak Ridge businesses donated food and other materials to make the trip financially possible. They were Bonanza, Bojangles, Burger King, Danver's, Downtown Hardware, Hall's Shoes, Hardee's, Hazel's Upholstery, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Kroger's Krystal, Kittrell Paint and Wallpaper, Long John Silver's and McDonald's.