IST Logo

Anyone wondering what the IST/WSJ logo represents might be interested in the following:

• The cloud is the overall theme of the badges for jamboree
• The various icons represent aspects of scouting in individual clouds
• "Simply Scouting" is the slogan for this jamboree

A above set of USA IST badges was developed by Donald Roberts from Western Region.  The set uses the WSJ cloud design.  Within the cloud is a stylized Swedish flag representing rolling hills.  Camped on the flag is the same tent icon found in the official WSJ badge, and the same campfire icon found on the official badge.  In addition, a row of three overlapping clouds has the letters "USA" identifying where this badge comes from.  Central is a "sun" that is the Fleur de Lis of scouting.  Around the top edge is a stylized USA flag.

These private issue IST badges are in two sets.  There is a day set with green, yellow and red borders (red and yellow borders are sold out) and a night set with brown, black and white borders (white borders are sold out).  The brown night badge and green day badge are designed to be worn and traded.  The black night badge and yellow day badge are the collectable badges.  The white night badge and (sold out) red day badge are the numbered special edition badges only available in sets with the other respective night and day badges.  No additional badges will be made.

IST are encouraged to wear the badge to show solidarity with the USA IST contingent.  Both the badges and pins will make great trade or give-away items at the Jamboree.  Available from Donald Roberts for purchase.

I am always glad to help with patch requests so please contact me if you have needs or questions (robertsd@sbcglobal.net).

My thoughts on Swapping badges and things at WSJ as an IST:

What I have found is that there are definite trading priorities among adults (you can’t trade with youth and your access to the contingents for trading is very limited).

Badges:

WSJ contingent badges – anytime, anywhere, these are the GOD of WSJ swapping (be VERY careful to learn to distinguish contingent badges from private issues like my IST badges, etc.)  There will be a BRISK trade by those trying to get as many contingent badges as they can, so swap for duplicates if you can get them, you can trade those too.

WSJ contingent IST badges - Very popular among IST, not much care by the contingents.  BSA has no official IST badge this time, so my IST badge can possibly work for this.

WSJ unit badges – limited scope, some want them, some don’t care, more popular among the contingent youth to swap.  Be careful here, some contingents put their unit badges and contingent badges sort of together, and you will need to understand the difference. The Irish contingent is a good example of this, they have a round contingent badge and about 15 unit badges that match and fit as rockers for the contingent badge.  You could get one of the rockers and think you have the contingent badge when you do not.

WSJ other badges – more limited scope, but some want any WSJ anything.  The various restaurants and pavilions will often have their own badge, make a point of looking for these.

Everything else – very few interested in swapping at all.

Other items:

Neckers – WSJ very popular, others spotty.

WSJ other than badges – limited, but some interest, depends what it is.

CSPs and OA flaps – no interest whatsoever outside USA contingent, this is probably the thing that is most shocking to someone coming from the BSA National Jamboree experience to WSJ.

Uniforms – you can always find someone to swap a uniform with.  Look around on 25-26 July and TARGET the uniform you think you want, approach everyone from that contingent that looks like your size you can find and make the offer, and if not interested in a uniform swap, give them a friendship gift anyway.  In 2007, I targeted the Greek uniform and managed to get one on the last day I was there.

Other items like t-shirts, etc.  VERY VERY spotty.  Don't bring a bunch to swap and expect to swap any.  You just never know.

Country flag - amazingly popular.  Flag for flag swaps aren't too difficult.

What are the wildcards I'm not able to predict for this jamboree? One is Centennial stuff.  A lot of scout associations had their centenary between the 2007 WSJ and 2011.  There may be a brisk trade for centenary items.  I suspect that will be the case, but I just don't know.  Another is cloud badges.  There are a LOT of contingent badges that follow the cloud theme.  My IST badges follow the cloud theme.  I believe any cloud badge shaped like the WSJ clouds will be huge, but I could be wrong.  I created the IST badge as my bet on being right.  We shall see.  Look for an amazing set from Malaysia of three cloud shaped badges with photo quality images that have no WSJ on them and the fluer ghosted.  They are betting on clouds too.

That said, that is the swapping side of things – people, for the most part, don’t really care to swap for anything other than WSJ stuff.

The alternative is friendship gifts – this is where this stuff comes in handy.  You give a gift to someone, they feel obligated to give something back.  I got some of my best stuff that way.  If they have nothing, they will often give something really good just to fulfill the obligation.  Best advice from me? Make a point of handing something to every single person you meet.  IF you have a good stock of cheap non-wsj badges, this is its best use.  This was the reason I created my WSJ IST pin.  It is an ideal friendship gift.

Learn to be very cautious of fakes.  Unfortunately, there is a sub-group of people who are very into badge collecting and create fake badges to try to obtain swaps.  I am up front about my IST badges and do not attempt to make them look like a genuine official badge.  Others are not so honest about their offerings.  You will learn how to spot those folks.  Some have international reputations for this.

Where to swap is another point.  There will be tables set up in the IST area around the restaurants/entertainment area.  There will also be tables set up by the Badgers tent.  Otherwise, you need to learn to approach people one on one.

That is my experience, FWIW
Don