Scouting in Exile

During the Displaced Person years, Lithuanian scouts maintained their traditions and played a role in preserving Lithuanian history. Scouting was an important piece of DP culture. Both my Dad and his twin sister, Jonė, were active in the scouting movement, and both held leadership roles among the refugee, Lithuanian scouts.

Isarhorn, Germany, August 2 to 14, 1948. My Dad's twin sister, Jonė, stands behind a little cub scout. Standing on the far left is a group of Lithuanian Sea Scouts, in their distinctive uniforms.

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In August, 1948, Lithuanian scouts gathered at Isarhorn, a camping area in the Bavarian Alps, to celebrate the third National Scouting Jamboree. Members of all the branches of scouting—land scouts, sea scouts, air scouts, cub scouts, and girl scouts—joined in the two-week celebration.

My Dad and his twin sister, Jonė, traveled to Isarhorn; it was their first trip to the Alps.

Isarhorn, Germany, August 2 to 14, 1948. Some fearless scouts explore the mountain tops.

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Isarhorn, Germany, August 2 to 14, 1948. A group of scouts walks along a narrow, roped path between a mountain and a stream.

Isarhorn, Germany, August 2 to 14, 1948. The group stops along the path for a photo.

Scouting Parade

In August 1948, my Dad and other Lithuanian Displaced Persons traveled from the various DP camps to Isarhorn, Germany. They arrived in the Bavarian town to participate in the National Scouting Jamboree, a celebration of three decades of Lithuanian scouting.

To read more about the Jamboree, click on the "Isarhorn" label below.

Isarhorn, Germany, August 2 to 14, 1948. My Dad—on the far left, wearing the dark shorts and hat—leads other Lithuanian scouts as they enter Isarhorn.

Line up for the Jamboree.

Isarhorn, Germany, August 2 to 14, 1948. Lithuanian scouts from the many Displaced Persons camps gather in Isarhorn for the third Scouting Jamboree.

It's good to get away and get together.

During the late summer of 1948, Lithuanian Displaced Persons living in some of the DP camps attended the Scouting Jamboree. The Jamboree was a big event: it took place over twelve days in Isarhorn, Germany.

I'm reading The Long Road Home, by Ben Shephard. There is an excellent section, beginning on page 288 of the hardcover edition, about how the Baltic DPs—scouts and others—preserved their cultures and national identities.

Isarhorn, Germany, August 2 to 14, 1948. For many of the DP scouts, the opportunity to reconnect with fellow exiles was priceless.

When photos offer few clues.

My Dad's twin sister, Jonė, was active in scouting, just like my Dad. We don't remember whether Jonė ever traveled to the Alps when she was living in a Displaced Persons camp in the American-occupied zone of Germany.

My Dad joined fellow DP scouts in a 1948 Jamboree celebrating thirty years of Lithuanian scouting. The photos from the Jamboree have dates. We also know that anniversary fell in 1948 because that year marked three decades since Lithuania had regained its independence from Russia.

We decided Jonė could not have been to the Jamboree because she emigrated to Canada in 1947.

Old photos sometimes raise more questions than they answer. Here, for example, stands Jonė near the Bavarian Alps. My Dad had grouped this snapshot with his other images from the Jamboree.

Isarhorn, Germany, August 1948. Jonė, on the left, joins two scouting friends.

UPDATE: My Toronto Cousin has confirmed that Jonė did travel to the Isarhorn Jamboree. The photo posted in this entry therefore dates between August 2 and 14, 1948.

Authorized

Buxtehude, Germany, March 28, 1948. This document certified my Dad's role as a Boy-Scout leader at the Schweinfurt Displaced Persons camp. I suspect Dad secured the certification for his travel to the Isarhorn Jamboree.

This is one of the last scouting images.

Schweinfurt, Germany, Summer 1948. My Dad (second from left) joins fellow scouts shortly before the group's departure for the Isarhorn jamboree.

They've made it to the top.

Near Isarhorn, Germany, August 2 to 14, 1948. Lithuanian scouts attending the third Scouting Jamboree have climbed to the summit of a mountain to visit the wooden cross.

Opening Dedication

Isarhorn, Germany, August 2, 1948. I believe this is the dedication of the opening ceremonies for the National Scouting Jamboree. The Jamboree celebrated thirty years of scouting in an independent Lithuania.

The tablecloth and folkdress are very familiar.

Jamboree Camp

Isarhorn, Germany, August 2 to 14, 1948. The Lithuanian Scouts from the Displaced Persons camps have gathered for the Third National Scouting Jamboree. My Dad stands somewhere in this group, but I have not been able to find him.

Entry, from a Different Angle

Isarhorn, Germany, August 2 to 14, 1948. Here's another image of the Lithuanian scouts from the Displaced Persons camps as they march in the third National Scouting Jamboree.

Alpine View

Isarhorn, Germany, August 2 to 14, 1948. A group of Lithuanian scouts—all Displaced Persons—enjoys the alpine views during a trip to the National Scouting Jamboree.

Settling into Camp

Isarhorn, Germany, August 2 to 14, 1948. My Dad's twin sister, Jonė, looks ready to settle into her tent at the Scouting Jamboree. Her shoes are off, and she's carrying a pillow and blanket. Ah! Check out the guy with the accordion.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.

The Perfect Spot

Isarhorn, Germany, August 1948. My Dad's twin sister, Jonė, has found the place for her pillow.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.

The Last of the Jamboree Snapshots

Isarhorn, Germany, August 2 to 14, 1948. I've posted most of the photos from the third National Scouting Jamboree that my Dad had saved in his scouting album. If you're one of the readers who comes here to see DP-era scouting snapshots, don't fret; I still have a few more things planned.

Memorable Meeting

Schweinfurt, Germany, January 18, 1948. Two leaders among the Displaced-Persons scouts conduct a meeting. My Dad has several photographs from this day, including another snapshot of the mentor pictured here.

Was this a significant gathering, perhaps designed to plan for the Scouting Jamboree that took place later that year in Isarhorn? Or was it a meeting to discuss how to preserve the scouting traditions because so many of the DPs secured permission to leave Germany in 1948?

Flags

Isarhorn, Germany, August 2 to 14, 1948. Lithuanian scouts from the different branches gather before marching in a parade.

Alpine Tour

Isarhorn, Germany, August 2 to 14, 1948. A group of Lithuanian scouts—all Displaced Persons—tours the Bavarian countryside during the scouts' trip to the National Scouting Jamboree.

Opening Ceremonies

Isarhorn, Germany, August 2, 1948. My Dad—in the foreground, on the left, wearing dark shorts—marches with the Lithuanian scouts in the parade marking the opening of the Scouting Jamboree.

Alpine Hiker

Casey reaches the summit.