The Homenetmen Inter-chapter Jamborees are the smaller and simpler versions of the General Pan-Homenetmen Jamborees. The first inter-chapter jamboree was organized in Calamos, Greece in 1978, four years after the organization was reshaped into its current global structure.
The first and last inter-chapter jamboree organized at the Homenetmen birthplace was in September 1922. Scouts from local Armenian orphanages and seven Homenetmen chapters (Pera, Karageozian, Beylerbey, Sgudar, Makrikyough, Ortakyough, and Beshigtash) took part in the jamboree organized in Beoyuk Dere, an Istanbul suburb with Arshag Hagopian as its General Chief Scout. Mr. Barry, the representative of Lord Baden Powell, visited the campers.
Following the termination of Homenetmen’s operations in Istanbul, the Regional Committee of Homenetmen in the Middle East organized eight inter-chapter jamborees from 1944 to 1955.
The first Homenetmen Inter-chapter Jamboree was held from August 20 to September 3, 1944, in Zahle, Lebanon with Levon Bablouzian as its General Chief Scout, with 90 Homenetmen scouts from the Aleppo, Beirut, Ashrafieh, and Zahle chapters taking part.
The second Inter-chapter Jamboree was held in 1947, at the Taanayel village in Bekaa, Lebanon, with Homenetmen scouts from the Beirut, Aleppo, Zahle, and Damascus chapters taking part.
The third Inter-chapter Jamboree was held from August 15 to September 15, 1948 in Ehden, Lebanon with Arsen Tanielian as the General Chief Scout.
The fourth Inter-chapter Jamboree was held from August 20 to September 10, 1949 in Kessab, Syria, with Dr. Injejigian in charge.
The fifth Inter-chapter Jamboree was held from August 28 to September 16, 1950 in Kessab, Syria, with Homenetmen scouts from the Beirut, Aleppo, Lataqia, Damascus, and Bourj Hamoud chapters taking part.
The sixth Inter-chapter Jamboree was held from August 23 to September 7, 1952 in Meyruba, Lebanon.
The seventh Inter-chapter Jamboree was organized from 15 to 30 August, in Dhour El Shoueir, Lebanon, with Homenetmen scouts from the Beirut, Bourj Hamoud, Jounieh, and Aleppo chapters taking part.
The eighth Inter-chapter Jamboree was organized from August 20 to September 4, 1955 in Ayn Safa, Lebanon, with Homenetmen scouts from the Beirut, Bourj Hamoud, Jounieh, and Aleppo chapters taking part. Four Homenetmen Chief Scouts (Souren Mouradian, Hagop Garabedian, Hagop Vosgerichian, and Khoren Nazarian) were in charge of its organization.
In the following years, due to the unfavorable political situation in Lebanon, the inter-chapter jamborees were replaced by school camping.
The last inter-chapter jamboree was a three-day long rally camping held from September 8 to 10, 1972 in Bois de Bologna. It was organized within the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Armenian scouting and was sponsored by RA Prime Minister, Saeb Salam.
School camping trips
The first school camping was held from August 12 to 28, 1959 at the Armenian Catholic Convent in Zmmar, Lebanon, with 39 Homenetmen scouts from Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan taking part. Louder Masbanajian was in charge.
The second school camping was held from August 13 to 28, 1960, in Kessab, Syria, with 17 ranked scouts from Homenetmen chapters in Beirut, Aleppo, Bourj Hamoud, Aynjar, Tripoli, and Raqqa taking part in it. Louder Masbanajian was the person in charge of the camping, while Souren Nazarian was the one responsible for its technical part.
The third school camping was held from August 20 to September 4, 1961 in Aynjar, Lebanon. Louder Masbanajian was in charge of the trip, while Arsen Tanielian was the General Chief Scout.
The last school camping of the time was held from May 4 to 6, 1968 near Jounieh, Lebanon. It was organized for ranked girl and boy cub scouts.