Tag Archives: Jeep Jamboree

Activities, Jeep

Remembering Mark A. Smith, founder of Jeep Jamboree

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

On June 9, 2014 a legend passed away.  It is fitting that Mark Smith was eulogized on the Jeep.com website, as the man had contributed so much to Jeep culture over the years.

From the Jeep blog:

There are certain types of people who only come around once in a lifetime. They are the kind of people who regularly inspire everyone around them and bring out the best in others. Mark A. Smith, founder of Jeep® Jamboree USA, was one of those once-in-a-lifetime people. Today, we’d like to take a moment to remember Mark, who passed away at the age of 87 on June 9, 2014.

We recently spoke with Pearse Umlauf, Vice President of Jeep Jamboree USA, about his experience working with Mark and some of his favorite memories.

When did you first meet Mark?

I met Mark in 1996 at the second annual Camp Jeep event in Camp Hale, CO. Mark had been asked by Chrysler to build the off-road test track and staff them with experienced guides. Camp Jeep participants had the opportunity to test drive a variety of Jeep brand vehicles over the off-road course. It was a huge success. I remember being told back then that Mark was an off-road icon. He was sitting on the back of a pick-up truck wearing his trademark white cowboy hat next to his one-eyed dog named “Jeep.” Continue reading →

Activities, Adventures, Jeep

2014 Jeep Jamboree Registration Opens December 1st @ 12:00 AM (EST)

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Jeep Jamborees are two-day, family oriented four-wheel-drive adventures.  They’re for every level of expertise from novice to veteran and everyone in between.

From Jeep Jamboree’s website:

Any Jeep vehicle with a 4-LO transfer case can participate – that includes everything from showroom stock all the way up to highly modified rigs. Experienced guides help navigate you through scenic switchbacks and some of the most challenging off-highway situations you never thought your Jeep vehicle was capable of. And, perhaps best of all, you’ll be meeting and making new friends along the way.

This year’s registration opens on Sunday, December 1st at 12:00am (EST) (that’s 9:00pm (PST) for us west coast folks!).  These events can fill up fast, so DON’T FORGET TO SET YOUR ALARM!

Continue reading →

Jeep, National Forests

21st Annual Big Bear Jeep Jamboree May 9 – 11, 2013

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Jeep Jamborees are off-road adventure weekends that bring together the outdoors, down-to-earth people, and their Jeep 4x4s.

Jeep Jamboree began in 1953 when Mark A. Smith, along with a small group of friends and Rotarians were looking for a way to boost the economy of Georgetown USA. 155 people showed up for the first Jamboree, which followed the Rubicon Trail, snaking it’s way across the Sierra Nevada mountains in Northern California. The next year, the manufacturer of Jeeps – Willys Motors – became involved, and the Jeep Jamboree adventure has continued ever since.

This year marks the 21st year the Big Bear Jeep Jamboree has taken place in Big Bear Lake, California.

This particular Jamboree is a “Select Jamboree”  – it includes Friday and Saturday night family style dinners (participants have the option to prepare their own meals or sample the AWESOME Big Bear restaurants for all other meals).

On Thursday, May 9th (from 5 – 7pm) MANDATORY registration will take place at the Big Bear Lake Elks Lodge (40611 Village Drive in Big Bear Lake, 909-866-6190).  Trail sign-ups will take place during registration on a first come, first served basis, so get there EARLY and register!. Remember that a vehicle check is MANDATORY PRIOR TO trail sign-ups, and there is no late registration available on Friday morning.

For further information, visit the Jeep Jamboree website HERE.

For specific information about the Big Bear Jeep Jamboree, there’s a PDF file HERE, and registration forms are HERE.