In 1953, 4×4 pioneer Mark A. Smith organized the first-ever Jeep Jamboree across the Sierra Nevada Mountains by way of the old Rubicon Trail, and Jeep Jamborees have been an off-road tradition ever since.
Jeep® Jamborees are off-road adventure weekends that bring together the outdoors, down-to-earth people, and their Jeep 4x4s. These off-road treks have a long tradition dating back to 1953 when 4×4 pioneer Mark A. Smith organized the firstever Jeep Jamboree and voyaged across the Sierra Nevada Mountains by way of the old Rubicon Trail. In 1954, Willys Motors — then manufacturer of Jeep vehicles — became involved with the adventure, and Jeep Jamborees have been an off-road tradition ever since.
Jeep Off-Road Hall of Fame and the Explorers Club member, Mark A. Smith also led the 1978-79 Expedicion de las Americas — a 20,000-mile odyssey from the bottom of South America to the top of North America, crossing the infamous Darien Gap — and headed the 1987 Camel Trophy expedition in Madagascar. Since founding Jeep Jamboree USA in 1982, Mark has become a Jeep brand consultant and has conducted intensive training for the U.S. Army Special Forces and law-enforcement agencies. Jeep Jamboree USA conducts over 30 family-oriented Jeep 4×4 trips nationwide and is truly a family business. President and CEO Pearse Umlauf, who has run the day-to-day operations for 12 years, has worked side-by-side with the Smith family to ensure every part of Mark’s vision was fulfilled. Umlauf at the helm of the operation is committed to not only seeing Mark’s vision for the off-roading community fulfilled in every event, but he is also devoted to a business that is family run and continues to seize opportunities for growth and expansion that align with the company’s core values.
For more information, as well as great products that you'll want to take on your next Jeep Jamboree adventure, check our our Jeep Jamboree USA page.
