The Hungarian Scout Association in Exteris holds a Jamboree Camp (“Jubi tábor”) once every five years. This is a scout camp on a large scale: we are expecting nearly 800 participants at the Jamboree Camp in August 2020. On the final weekend, the headcount – including visitors – will exceed 1000 persons.
The Jamboree Camp is an excellent opportunity to meet and get to know expat Hungarian scouts from throughout our organization, including groups arriving from other continents. The majority of participants hail from North America (Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Washington, Boston, Cleveland, Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa, and Montreal). Scouts from Calgary, California and Vancouver, as well as Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Western Europe and Australia, will be attending. Hungarian scout contingents from the Carpathian basin – Transylvania, Slovakia, Ukraine, Serbia as well as Hungary – will also participate. Hungarian Scouting is truly a global organization!
DIRECTIONS TO SÍk Sándor HUNGARIAN SCOUT CAMP
Mailing Address:
HUNGARIAN SCOUT CAMP
Child’s Name and Sub-Camp
5098 Robinson Rd.
Fillmore, NY 14735
Phone Number: 585-567-8594 (For emergencies only. Messages will be relayed to campers via camp staff.)
Scout Camp Address: 10993 County Road 15, Fillmore, NY 14735.
WARNING!!! Most internet maps (Googlemaps, Mapquest, etc.) will not take you all the way to the exact location – you must keep an eye out for local addresses.
WHAT IS HUNGARIAN SCOUTING?
Hungarian scouting provides age-appropriate activities for boys and girls. Its main purpose: to raise young people of good character who are proud of their Hungarian heritage, and who fulfill their duty toward God, country (both), fellow man, and the Hungarian nation.
Hungarian scout activities are centered on the patrol system. Patrols are led by trained teenagers: young people leading other youngsters. In scouting, we teach by example, and through play and activity. All scouts take an oath to abide by the ten points of the Scout Law.
AGE GROUPS:
5-10 Cubscouts/Brownies (Kiscserkész)
10-17 Scouts and Girl Scouts (cserkész, leánycserkész)
16-27 Rover Scouts
18+ Adult Scouts
GOALS OF HUNGARIAN SCOUTING
Character building
Hungarian heritage
Skills development
Physical Challenge
Scouting Skills
Service
LEADERSHIP
Hungarian scouting has a well-established system of leadership training. At each level (patrol leader, platoon, scoutmaster), young people take part in the Association’s 10-day camp for their specific cohort and level, in Fillmore, NY, as well as follow-up local training weekends.
WHAT IS THE HUNGARIAN SCOUT ASSOCIATIN IN EXTERIS (KMCSSZ)?
The Hungarian Scout Association in Exteris has been operating for nearly 75 years in the service of Hungarian youth around the world. Headquartered in New Jersey, it has five districts (I. Western Europe, II. South America , III. USA & Venezuela, IV. Australia, V. Canada). The Association has approximately 4,000 members in 70 troops, in 11 different countries..
WHY IS SCOUTING GOOD FOR YOUR CHILD?
The child learns how to be at home in two different cultures. He/she learns to appreciate Hungarian heritage and language. Scouting is an essential complement to more formal instruction: it reinforces knowledge of Hungarian history, folklore, literature and language through role-play, games, and other activities that are engaging and fun.
The child learns the importance of discipline. The scout uniform, belonging to a patrol, and obeying the leader all provide a sense of discipline that complements the family rules at home.
The child makes lifelong friends. Group activities all serve to foster community within the patrol and among other scouts at camp.
The child learns to be at home in nature from a young age.
THE 10 POINTS OF THE SCOUT LAW:
A Scout is trustworthy and always tells the truth.
A Scout faithfully fulfills his/her duty toward God, country, and fellow man.
A Scout helps others wherever possible.
A Scout treats all other Scouts as brothers and sisters.
A Scout is gentle toward others, but maintains strict expectations of him/herself.
A Scout loves the natural world, is good to animals, and treats plants with care.
A Scout is obeys his/her leaders with good will.
A Scout is cheerful and thoughtful.
A Scout is thrifty.
A Scout is clean in body and soul.
THE SCOUT OATH:
On my honor I will do my best to do my duty faithfully toward God, my country, my nation, and toward others.
I will do everything possible to help other people at all times.
I know the Scout Law and will abide by it always.
ESZTI PIGNICZKY (DIRECTOR OF JUBILEE CAMP 2020)
I was born in Lansdale, PA, near Philadelphia. My parents were both scoutmasters in the Philadelphia Hungarian Scout Troops, so I started my scouting career very early.
For family reasons, we moved several times during my childhood, and fortuitously we always moved to a city with a Hungarian Scout Troop: New Brunswick, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Philadelphia (again), San Francisco (again), and Cleveland. I completed all levels of leadership training over the years, and served in many positions, including scoutmaster. I organized backpacking trips, obstacle courses, winter camps, summer scout camps for all age groups and even one aimed at the parents.
From 1997 to 2004, I led the Cleveland Hungarian Scout Folk Ensemble. Highlights of this period include the Cleveland ensemble’s 1998 gala performance, and organizing a three-week tour in 2001 to Northern Hungary and Transylvania. Since then, the ensemble has organized, every five years, a folk study tour for its teenage members to Hungary and the region.
Since 1992, I have participated actively in scout leadership training camps for teenagers and young adults. These camps are organized both for scouts in the West (the Hungarian Scout Association in Exteris) and for the scout troops of minority communities in the countries neighboring Hungary. In this context, I was privileged to train Hungarian Scout leaders in Slovakia, Hungary, Buenos Aires and Melbourne, as well as at the central Scout Park in Fillmore, NY.
Since 2001, I have served on the Executive Committee of the Hungarian Scout Association in Exteris.
I have four children: Keve (23), Bendegúz (22), Vajk (19) and Enese (16). My husband Endre Szentkirályi and I both work at the same high school: he as teacher, and I as administrative assistant to the principal.
My ongoing goal is to implement the best practices of scouting organization and problem-solving throughout the Association, particular with regard to leadership training. More importantly, my goal is to help our community to raise skilled scouts of good character who are proud of their Hungarian heritage as well as good citizens of their home countries, who can use their multi-cultural background to the benefit of the Hungarian nation.
MESSAGE FROM THE CAMP DIRECTOR
Our camp motto: Let’s build a nation!
We are going to do just that… using the tried-and-true methods of our worldwide scouting movement, which every five years holds a jubilee camp in Fillmore, NY.
The goals of the camp: to provide a fantastic and age-appropriate scout camp experience, far from the noise of the city, where all scouts can improve their skills and make friends with fellow scouts from different parts of the world. We will learn about the era of King St. Stephen and his contributions: the founding of the Christian kingdom of Hungary, the first legal code, and the importance of the Crown of St. Stephen for the Hungarian nation.
Welcome!
IMRE VARGA (ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF JUBILEE CAMP 2020)
I was born in New Brunswick, NJ in 1976. I attended a local Hungarian kindergarten and St. Ladislaus Church and Elementary school, as well as the Hungarian Saturday School.
I have been a member of Hungarian Scout Troop No. 5 in New Brunswick since the age of 6. I earned my scoutmaster rank in 2002. Between 2002 and 2017, I was the head of the annual Scout Skills Competition weekend, held each May in Fillmore, NY for the scout troops of Northeastern U.S. and Eastern Canada. I have been active in patrol leader training for many years, and have been the head of patrol leadership training for the past three years.
After a three-year stint in Hungary, I returned to the U.S. to live in Pittsburgh. I have a degree in Economics and an MBA in marketing. I have worked in market research, taught as a university instructor, and founded a craft brewery.
VISITORS
Guests are very welcome to visit the Jubilee Camp on the final weekend, from August 7-9 (Friday, Saturday, and/or Sunday). On-site visits to the various sub-camps are permitted on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. We kindly request parents to refrain from interfering with the camp schedule, and to adhere to the Saturday visiting schedule. However, several additional exciting programs on that weekend are open to guests, and you are free to congregate on the camp’s main square to meet and mingle. You are also invited to take your meals at camp: see details below.
Guest camping is available at the Scout Park. See details below.
PROGRAMS FOR VISITORS
FRIDAY MORNING AND AFTERNOON
During this period, the Jubilee Camp is not open to visitors. This is a great time to discover nearby attractions, including Letchworth State Park (“The Grand Canyon of the East”)
FRIDAY EVENING– 6 PM – 8 PM – GRAND BATTLE
Come to the Scout Park’s main square to watch the scouts, dressed in period costume, fend off the attacking enemy hordes! If you want to join the attack, consult the Guest Camp Manager for details and conditions.
FRIDAY NIGHT
After dinner, if weather permits and if you brought a frying pan, hang out with fellow Guest Campers over bacon and/or palacsinta creations cooked over your own campfire (buy your own ingredients at the Fillmore grocery). Visiting the Scout Camp is not permitted at this time. Please remain within the Guest Camp..
SATRUDAY MORNING 9 A.M. – 10 A.M – “CSÁRDA” (TAVERN)
Check out the “Csárda” (Tavern): the “social hour” hotspot for both scouts and their leaders over the past 10 days.
SATURDAY MORNING – 10 A.M. – 12 NOON – CAMP VISITS
Now is your chance to walk through the campsites where your children have spent the last 10 days and nights. Notice! Two hours is not enough to visit all the sites. Please plan your visit in advance.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON 2 P.M.– 5 P.M. – GUIDED TOURS (INCLUDING NON-HUNGARIAN SPEAKERS)
Guided camp tours in Hungarian, French and/or English. The tour includes the Scout Shop, Pine Forest Cathedral, and selected campsites (from a distance). (During this time, we regret that no close-up visits are permitted.)
SATURDAY AFTERNOON– 5 P.M. – 8 P.M. – GALA CELBRATION AND DINNER
Join us as we celebrate King St. Stephen and the founding of the Hungarian Kingdom.
SATURDAY EVENING 9 P.M. – 10:30 P.M.– CLOSING CAMPFIRE OF THE JUBILEE CAMP
Have you ever joined 1,000 scouts around a campfire? It’s the chance of a lifetime to sing together and enjoy the skits. We recommend that you bring a camp chair or blanket to sit on (you will have to carry it some distance). Scouts never smoke around the campfire, they always follow the campfire leader’s instructions, and they don’t make loud conversation. Please join us in observing these rules!
SUNDAY MORNING– 10:00 A.M.– MASS/SERVICES, CLOSING CEREMONY
Join the scouts as we attend Mass in the Pine Forest “Cathedral”, or the Protestant services held concurrently. The camp closing ceremony follows. Please do not attempt to leave before these are completed. Scouts must remain to assist with packing and cleanup, and will be saying goodbye to their hundreds of new friends. No scout is permitted to leave camp before 1 p.m.
No passenger cars are permitted on the territory of the Scout Park! Buses and authorized service vehicles only. You may park at the designated parking areas on the edge of the park.
Weather. The Jubilee Camp and the Guest Camp are outdoor activities. If it rains, there will be lots of mud. Please take this into consideration if you plan to bring young children or grandparents along. Hiking boots and/or rain boots and gear are recommended.
Smoking– Smoking is permitted only in designated areas.
MEALS IN THE SCOUT PARK
A dedicated camp kitchen will be on site to ensure 3 meals a day for our guests (Friday and Saturday) and breakfast (on Sunday). You can help with the dishes, just like the scouts do!
Cost: breakfast $6 lunch $10 dinner $12 3 meals/day $25
You are also welcome to bring your own groceries and prepare your own meals at your campsite in the Guest Camp. Please do not feed the scouts.
CAMPING FEES
Campsite fee $25 per night
Discounted fee (with advance reservation and payment): $20 per night
The Guest Camp at Sík Sándor Scout Park provides primitive camping. This means port-a-pottys, communal water spigot, and tent camping at designated sites only (in a forest or clearing). The campsites are at least 250 meters away from the parking area: you must carry all your equipment to your campsite. You cannot drive to your campsite. Campsites are fairly close to each other. Due to the large crowds, dogs are strictly prohibited on the whole territory of the Scout Park.
Notice: We reserve the right to revoke camping privileges from any guests who disturb others through excessive noise or inconsiderate behavior. Such guests may be asked to leave (even in the middle of the night.)