When you’re a Jeeper, you’ve got to Jeep. Rocks, dirt, trees, trails – Jeep. You could also validate your parking lot certification, but that’s for poseurs – the 24^th Big Bear Jeep Jamboree is not. This is a certifiable off-road gathering, with traditions and history and more than 100 Jeeps (plus a few alternately-equipped associates) ’froading and bonking and flexing over Big Bear’s ample terrain – and when you’re on-trail in Big Bear, CA, there is no shortage of trail.

Begun in the ’50s (back when Jeepers were still enjoying war-era surplus Willys and Jeeps and Mighty Mites), what is now known as “Jeep Jamboree USA” (https://jeepjamboreeusa.com/) is probably the iconic Jeeping series, with an organization that specializes in Jeepers jeepin’ and not much else. While there’s more than a few events out there that gather like-minded gearheads, few have lasted decades, and not many can offer 35 different runs in a year.

The Jeep Jamboree folks have made events like these approachable and friendly for first-time off-roaders, and willing hordes of more experienced Jeep types surround newbies with advice and support that turns down the wick on the freakout factor which may undermine and/or discourage the uninitiated. Unofficial arm-around-the-shoulder sanctioning from Jeep-Chrysler corporate doesn’t hurt attendance of these Jamborees, either.

Randy Stockberger, who supports the Jamboree as a volunteer coordinator from the Inland Empire Four-Wheel Drive Club, reflected on the good-natured gathering of Jeepers. “Jamborees work to educate their participants about the ‘tread lightly’ and ‘share trails’ mentality, and how to use your Jeep, how to attack an obstacle in a low-drama fashion, as well as how to depend on each other,” Stockberger said. “[We look at] what can we do so you make it rather than ‘Hope you make it.’”

In accordance with the “Bring ’em home alive” warmth of the Jamboree’s familial sensibility, pre-run inspections backstop basic safety and equipment standards for the newbies (and risk-takers alike), setting a minimum standard that helps new ’froaders feel a little more secure while they participate. Per se, things like tow-points and CB radios are required. The Jamboree folks also put a bit of a glass ceiling on attendees and limit tire size to 37-inchers, which maintains a symbolic separation from the “serious” and “radical adventure” Jeepers.

Amongst the dozens of Jambos being held this year, the Big Bear Jamboree – the first run of California’s 2016 Jeep Jamboree calendar – might be the West Coast’s cornerstone get-together for these folks. The Big Bearea is laced with trail options that, while not all difficult, are all valid out-there adventure spots that make a run with your jamboreeing Jeep buddies worth the trip. In fact, that balance of trails means this is an ideal neighborhood for a broad-appeal Jeep event like the Jambo, because newbies and first-timers (and tough guys who can admit they need to develop their trail skills) can get dirty without getting broken, while the serious dirt-eaters can clunk rock and break parts to their heart’s content.

At this year’s Big Bear Jeep Jamboree (number 24, and we are counting), 109 paying Jeeps and 206 people officially participated, dozens more lurked and tagged along, and many new Jeepers were in attendance. There were 18 more Jeepers serving as trail guides, and about 10 vendors supported participants and the raffle, including Teraflex, Rancho, Spider Web Shade, Dynamax and JKS. Falken was the tire sponsor, and Warn was the winch sponsor. For more information, head over to JeepJamboreeUSA.com.