The Bicentennial Muster ’76 (part 4)

Get a large group of kids together and one of the things that will absolutely fascinate them is something that flies.  Council Jamborees at the Warner parks in the 1980s often had a helicopter visit and Scouts lined up to see it.

The Bicentennial Muster utilized flying objects as well. In addition to the helicopter rides over the Reservation that allowed for some of the photos we’ll see in upcoming posts, there was also a fly-over by a military squadron of choppers as well as at least two hot air balloons that landed by the Crab.

Hot Air balloon floating above the water tower, April 1976. Photo L16. Collection of Russ Parham.

Military helicopter fly-over, Explorer Island, April 1976. Collection of Michael Seay.

Two hot air balloons at the Bicentennial Muster, April 1976. Photo C30. Collection of Russ Parham

The Bicentennial Muster ’76 (Part 3)

There were a host of activities for Scouts at the Muster. The _Nashville Banner_ reported after the event that “scouts fired muskets, shot flaming arrows, ran obstacle courses, and joined in a variety of other events, including log-rolling and kayak races. Standard scouting events were not overlooked, however, as hundreds of scouts participated in firebuilding, pathfinding and other activities to earn badges.”

To showcase some of these events—and to capitalize on how successful the event had been—the Council published an eight page booklet.  The booklet was filled photos—all black and white and coded—capturing the events of the weekend.  Color prints could be ordered from the Council office of your favorite photos: 70 cents for a 3 ½” x 5’, $3.50 for an 8”x10”, or $5.88 for a Bicentennial Muster Slide Set of 10 slides.

Seen here are pages four and five of the “Muster Paper.”  There are variety of Scout activities here as well as historical re-enactments from the Revolution and the Civil War as well as evidence of the costume competition.

Pages 4 & 5 from the Council’s Muster paper. Collection of Russ Parham.