The West Point Camporee is an annual Invitational Camping Event sponsored by the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. The event consists of a weekend camp out on the Academy property with static and active displays, competitions, demonstrations and trading post. Attendees report it exclusively run by the Cadets themselves.
It is managed by an organization called the Scoutmaster's Council. It had a predecessor event in 1961 and 1962 but officially started in 1963. Though the dates have been adjusted to reflect the Academy schedule, since 2001, it is nominally held the first week in May. The Invitational nature reflects the priority for a Cadet to invite his (or her*) home Boy Scout Troop, Venturing Crew, Sea Scout Ship, Varsity Crew or Explorer Post (Boy Scouts of America (BSA)) or her home Girl Scout Troop (Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA)). If all the available slots are not filled by home units of the Cadets then a lottery is held for other Scout units. Those participating in the lottery suggest they only receive an invitation about once every five years.
Note*: women ages 14-21 can be members of BSA Venturing Crews, Sea Scout Ships or Explorer Posts.
Each attending unit is assigned a Cadet Host (their sponsor where possible) who stays with the unit throughout the event. Most units are encouraged to backpack all of their gear through the not so small hills surrounding West Point. Those who complete this trek earn the prestigious "I Hiked Bull Hill" pin.
Various items commemorating these events have been issued starting with Troop Streamers (for attachment to the Unit Flags in 1961 and 1962), patches for uniform wear (starting 1963), neckerchiefs (starting 1970), mugs, pillows, pins, neckerchief slides, coins, etc.
Attendance was cited in the 1977 Annual Report of the Superintendent as 3,000.[1] At least one United States Postal Service First Day Cover was issued in 1985 honoring Brigadier General Sylvanus Thayer, an early superintendent of West Point.
See Listing of West Point Camporees by year and date below.
| # | Year | Date ! |
|---|---|---|
| -2 | 1961 | |
| -1 | 1962 | |
| 1 | 1963 | |
| 2 | 1964 | |
| 3 | 1965 | |
| 4 | 1966 | |
| 5 | 1967 | |
| 6 | 1968 | |
| 7 | 1969 | |
| 8 | 1970 | |
| 9 | 1971 | |
| 10 | 1972 | |
| 11 | 1973 | |
| 12 | 1974 | |
| 13 | 1975 | |
| 14 | 1976 | |
| 15 | 1977 | |
| 16 | 1978 | |
| 17 | 1979 | |
| 18 | 1980 | |
| 19 | 1981 | |
| 20 | 1982 | |
| 21 | 1983 | |
| 22 | 1984 | |
| 23 | 1985 | |
| 24 | 1986 | |
| 25 | 1987 | |
| 26 | 1988 | |
| 27 | 1989 | |
| 28 | 1990 | |
| 29 | 1991 | |
| 30 | 1992 | |
| 31 | 1993 | |
| 32 | 1994 | |
| 33 | 1995 | |
| 34 | 1996 | April 26-28, 1996 |
| 35 | 1997 | April 11-13, 1997 |
| 36 | 1998 | April 17-19, 1998 |
| 37 | 1999 | April 16-18, 1999 |
| 38 | 2000 | April 7-9, 2000 |
| 39 | 2001 | May 4-6, 2001 |
| 40 | 2002 | May 3-5, 2002 |
| 41 | 2003 | May 9-11, 2003 |
| 42 | 2004 | May 7-9, 2004 |
| 43 | 2005 | May 6-8, 2005 |
| 44 | 2006 | May 5-7, 2006 |
| 45 | 2007 | May 4-6, 2007 |
| 46 | 2008 | May 9-11, 2008 |
| 47 | 2009 | May 1-3, 2009 |
| 48 | 2010 | April 30-May 2, 2010 |
| 49 | 2011 | April 29-May 1, 2011 |