Jeep Jamboree USA

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 first-ever 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.

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.

After founding Jeep Jamboree USA in 1982, Mark became a Jeep brand consultant and has conducted intensive training for the U.S. Army Special Forces and law-enforcement agencies.

Mark’s passing in 2014 was a loss felt deeply by the off-roading community worldwide, and he was honored with tributes both locally and even from the corporate headquarters of the Jeep brand itself. His legacy, however, is carried on by his daughter, Jill, who recently moved into a more philanthropic role to fulfill the family’s long-time commitment to causes close to their hearts. A visitor to six of the seven continents, Jill regularly continues her travels to the planet’s most remote regions, most often performing volunteer and service work for humanitarian and animal conservation organizations.