EXPLORE THE WORLD

WHERE YOU LIVE WHERE YOU LIVE

The Scout supplement goes global

The magazine for Scout Leaders

June/July 2009Lands of AdventureHave you booked your trip? Radio ScoutingTune into a worldwide community

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INTRO

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WELCOME

Alasdair McBay applauds some terrific growth news, recommends the Scout Handbook and looks

ahead to a summer of adventure

First off, the census figures for the year are in and once more we have had an

outstanding year of growth. More than 5,000 members have joined – that’s a

total growth of over 10% in two years. Congratulations to every Troop who has

contributed to this stunning achievement.

Practical support Thanks also for your positive feedback on the Scout Handbook, which was

launched earlier this year. However, it is clear the there are still some leaders

and Scouts who have not yet seen a copy. If you haven’t yet got your hands

on one, ask to borrow one or order one from www.scouts.org.uk/shop I am

sure you will recognise its practical value in helping each of your Scouts as they

Go for Gold.

Dust off your Patrol tents . . .We are now building up to the climax of the Scouting year - the summer camp

or expedition. You will see that this issue of the supplement is concentrating on

the Global Challenge and good luck to you if you are taking Scouts overseas this

summer. There are also a number of large international camps going on this

summer and I wish all the organisers of these the best of luck. Sea Scout 100 –

a camp celebrating the Centenary of Sea Scouting in August – also looks as if it

will be a fantastic event. Find out more at www.seascout100.net

Whatever adventure you are planning for this summer, I wish you all good

weather and happy Scouting.

From strength to strength

Your Scout Support TeamAlasdair McBay – UK Adviser (Scout Section),Ed Wilson – Programme & Development Adviser

Contact them at:programme@scout.org.uk

Scout Support Team The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London E4 7QW; Tel. 0845 300 1818

AdvertisingTom Fountaintom@thinkpublishing.co.uk Tel: 020 8962 1258

Front cover photo by Allan Baxter shows Carissa a Scout from 64thBirmingham Scout Group. ‘It’s a fun place to learn new activities’, she says. She is accompanied by Vicky, an Explorer Scout - ‘For me Scouting is about meeting new people and having fun!’

4 Welcome to the world Get your Global Challenge off to the right start with these tips, contacts and ideas

6 Lands of AdventureGive your programme a European dimension with this innovative scheme for 11-16 year olds

8 Programmes on a plateThis issue’s theme is summer adventure

10 The easy guide to visits abroad

Taking Scouts abroad is easier than you think say Richard Neville and Colin Simpson

12 Meeting sparklersAnother wacky selection of fi ve minute fi llers

16 Radio ScoutingHow your Troop can take part in Jamboree-on-the-Air and continue a 50 year tradition

BE PART OF IT!

Good luck with your Big Adventure – don’t forget to tell us about your event at big.adventure@scout.org.uk Check www.scouts.org.uk/thebigadventure to find out what others are doing.

Contents

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4 Scouts June/July 2009

The Global Challenge is one of the most exciting things you can do in the Scout Troop – you only had to see the coverage of events in 2007 to witness the truly global nature of Scouting. Ed Wilson gives you the practical guide to travelling the world – from a plane seat or just inside your meeting place

L et’s face it, leaders

can often find it

difficult to

implement the

Global Challenge. Since the

balanced programme updates in

2008 however, the challenge has

become much easier to put into

practice. It gives leaders the opportunity

to run it by making international contact or by

running a global programme, in which Scouts

can explore issues that face the world today.

Flexible criteria Before starting to plan for the challenge, it is

useful to know the criteria. If you want to run it

as an international experience

this can be done as follows:

• Make contact with

Scouts from another

country outside the

United Kingdom.

• Then take part in a Troop or

Patrol activity with these Scouts. Or

• Take part in a Patrol or Troop activity based

on things found out during the international

contact.

• This can be done a number of ways, for

example through Nights Away in the UK or

overseas, the Internet, pen pals, Jamboree

on the-Air (JOTA), Jamboree-on-the-Internet

(JOTI), or Lands of Adventure.

However, if you want to run the Global

Challenge as an opportunity for Scouts to

explore a global issue that they feel strongly

about, they need to:

• choose and investigate an international issue

• then complete the following:

a. Show an understanding of the issues

involved.

b. Take some action as a result of research

c. Compare how the issues affect the UK

and countries overseas.

This gives three options for completing the

Global Challenge and of course take Scouts

one step closer to achieving the Chief Scout’s

Gold Award.

Welcome to the world

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The Global ChallenGe

Issue Fair Trade Poverty

Criteria A Fairtrade – Double Fairtrade Chocolate – Bean 2 Bar

Red Nose Day 2009 – Do Something Funny for Money - What is it all about?

Criteria B Fairtrade survey Comic Relief ‘09 – Make Something Funny for Money – Make a funny photo exhibition

Criteria C Fairtrade – Double Fairtrade Chocolate – Stock the Choc

Red Nose Day 2009 – Do Something Funny for Money – What is it all about?

Despite being one of the more difficult Challenge Awards to complete there are a huge number of resources available to help you and your Scouts complete it. You can find out details about this by going to the International web pages at www.scoutbase.org.uk/ps/inter For more information just get in touch with us on 0845 300 1818 or by email at programme@scout.org.uk

more info

Putting it into practice So once you have chosen an area to cover there are a

number of ways of completing the criteria. The simplest

way to make contact with Scouts from around the world

is to get your Scouts to go to the International Programme

Support web pages and follow the link to the International

Links scheme. By completing the simple form on the page

you can make contact with Scouts from all over the world.

You can also get involved in the Jamboree-on-the-Internet

(JOTI) or Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA) where you will be

able to make contact (see pages 16-17 for more on this).

Programmes Online There are also plenty of places to find resources to help

complete the Global Challenge. Activities on www.scouts.

org.uk/pol provide step-by-step programmes to complete

the Global Challenge. For example:

Do it yourself If you want to run the Global Challenge but want to put

the programme together yourself you can get lots of

ideas from the GAPP Pack, available from the Scout

Information Centre.

Welcome to the world

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6 Scouts June/July 2009

To find out more about Lands of Adventure you can get details from www.scoutbase.org.uk/ps/inter/programme/world/loa/ or by going to www.landsofadventure.eu

more info

L ands of Adventure is a challenge open to Scouts

from all over the European Scout Region, which

includes the United Kingdom as well as all the

countries from Ireland to Greece, Portugal to

Finland, and Turkey to Israel. The best bit is that the

scheme integrates well into the balanced programme,

giving support to such areas as the Global Challenge, the

Creative Challenge or the International Partnership Award.

It could also be a good linking activity between Scouts and

Explorer Scouts. There are three youth challenges within

the Lands of Adventure:

Express EURselfExpress EURself is a project planned

and undertaken by Patrols in their

own programme, based on the theme

of ‘Discovery’. Patrols produce their project

in any media format of their choice - such as

video, music, sculpture, art, dance or mural.

Express EURself will enhance young people’s awareness of

belonging to a worldwide movement; it provides Scouts

and leaders with ideas and suggestions for future activities

and projects.

EUR HoppingThe aim of EUR Hopping is to

encourage Scouts from different

countries to make contact and design a

common project which involves

• establishing contact

• regular communication

• joint decision on a common project

• agreeing a project implemented in co-operation

between the Scout Patrols/groups which involves

common preparation of the project, implementation

of the project and common evaluation and follow-up

The Patrols can meet ‘really’ or ‘virtually’.

Europe@EUR doorEurope@EUR door encourages Scouts to

learn more about Scouting and explore

the culture of other European

countries. Scouts from all over

Europe are invited to plan and

implement a project that is specific to the chosen host

country (or if they wish, any other country of their choice).

Europe@EUR.door invites young people to explore deeper

the realities of a country and Scout Association by trying

activities and projects relating to the host country.

No it’s not a theme park, says Ed Wilson; it’s an innovative European programme for Scouts and Explorer Scouts aged 11 to 16. If you’re looking to give your programme a European dimension then look no further

Lands of Adventure

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ADVENTURE CHALLENGE

puffin.co.uk

PUFFIN’S AMAZING ADVENTURE FACTSDid you know......Darth Vader’s costume in Star Wars is inspired by samurai armour...James Bond’s zodiac sign is Scorpio....Snowboarding was invented by Sherman Poppen in 1965

This summer has adventure written all over it!

Scouting’s partnership with Puffin is hotting up and now you and your Scouts can benefit from some great practical resources to help them gain the Puffin Adventure Challenge

C hris Bradford is the author of Young Samurai: The Way of the Warrior and a former Cub,

Scout and Explorer. ‘I grew up in Scouting,

he says. ‘The challenges, excitement and

friendships I forged there made me into who I am today.

I’m not afraid to take risks, I still love hiking

and have a passion for exploring new countries and

cultures. Thanks to Scouting, adventure is a way of life.’

Why not get your Scouts to

follow Chris’s lead and

embark on the adventure of

their lifetimes with the Puffin

Adventure Challenge? The

Scouts can choose activities

from 25 cards, which include

powered aircrafting with Max

Gordon of the Danger Zone book series, hot

air ballooning with the mastermind criminal

Artemis Fowl, stunt kiting with the Young

but no less brave James Bond, surfing with a demi-god,

Percy Jackson, and dragon boating with Jack Fletcher –

he is Young Samurai.

Once each Scout has completed three different

activities, ideally on separate occasions, it’s time to

congratulate them. They have become adventurers

with the very best and bravest of them all – Puffin’s

own action heroes!

Order your free pack now at

www.scouts.org.uk/sponsors. Just click

on the Puffin logo and you’ll also find

quizzes, activity sheets, words searches

and lots more!

Competition Who is the author of the Young Samurai

adventures? Email sally.hilton@scout.org.uk

and you could WIN £200 to spend at

www.scouts.org.uk/shop

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8 June/July 2009

Top

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43738Hire a mobile planetarium

39393 Human dominoes

28815 Get the prisoner

39091 Defend your area

4873 Landmine clearance

Flag break 5 mins N/a The summer months lend themselves to activities outdoors. These will often last for a whole evening, so the programme ideas below should provide for several weeks. However a wet weather alternative is always prudent with the British climate!

Non-stop cricket 15 mins Fit for Life Games

This all-action game is best played in an enclosed space. Set up a cricket wicket for the batsman and a marker for the bowler. Additionally, have a post about fi ve metres away from the batsman’s wicket, but off the one side of the pitch. The bowler delivers a tennis ball underarm to the wicket. The batsman can be out in all the usual ways. If the batsman hits the ball, they must run round the post and back to their crease. In the meantime the fi elders get the ball back to the bowler who delivers it as soon as it is received. The game is for one batsman and bowler at a time with the rest of the Troop fi elding.

Stick dance 60 mins Creative Expression Design and creativity

The Scouts learn to perform a Morris stick dance. They will need to make their own sticks and costumes and fi nd a suitable piece of music for their performance. The steps are relatively simple, but the accuracy of the stick hitting is important. Seek help from a knowledgeable parent or local Morris group to ensure this is done safely.

Make a fi lm 60 mins Creative Expression Design and creativity

Plan and produce a storyboard and script for a short fi lm. Using the Scouts as actors and fi lmmakers, allocate roles and rehearse the scenes. Finally produce the fi lm using a video camera. Completing this activity may take the Scouts several weeks depending on how ambitious their storyboard turns out.

Orienteering 60 mins Scoutcraft and AdventureActivities outdoors

Ensure that the Scouts are profi cient in using a map and compass. Set up an orienteering course that can be completed in 45 minutes. Let the Scouts complete the course, either individually, in pairs or small groups according to their ability. Stress that all participants must be back at a specifi ed time.

Pay the ransom 60 mins Fit for LifeGames Activities outdoors

Organise a wide game for the Scouts based on the scenario of having to pay a ransom to retrieve a stolen item. The Scouts should be directed to two or three locations using cryptic clues or phone calls, deliver a ransom and then collect a package from a fi nal location. Alternatively, they should observe the ransom’s collection and exchange from a hidden viewpoint. There should be suffi cient clues in the choice of locations to let the Scouts guess who stole the package.

Climb or fl oat 90 mins Scoutcraft and AdventureActivities outdoors

Take the Scouts to a local climbing wall. These are often located at sports centres and may be indoors or outdoors. Or, take the Scouts to a local canoe club. Some Scout Groups will have their own boats.In each case, the use of qualifi ed staff is essential. The equipment required is also specialised and may need to be hired for an evening. Check how many Scouts can be accommodated at a time and limit numbers accordingly.

Activity Time Zone/Method Instructions Ref Activity name

8 Scouts June/July 2009

Programmes on a platePOP

This issue’s theme is summer adventure,

written by Tony Taylor

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Flag break 5 mins N/a The summer months lend themselves to activities outdoors. These will often last for a whole evening, so the programme ideas below should provide for several weeks. However a wet weather alternative is always prudent with the British climate!

Non-stop cricket 15 mins Fit for Life Games

This all-action game is best played in an enclosed space. Set up a cricket wicket for the batsman and a marker for the bowler. Additionally, have a post about five metres away from the batsman’s wicket, but off the one side of the pitch. The bowler delivers a tennis ball underarm to the wicket. The batsman can be out in all the usual ways. If the batsman hits the ball, they must run round the post and back to their crease. In the meantime the fielders get the ball back to the bowler who delivers it as soon as it is received. The game is for one batsman and bowler at a time with the rest of the Troop fielding.

Stick dance 60 mins Creative Expression Design and creativity

The Scouts learn to perform a Morris stick dance. They will need to make their own sticks and costumes and find a suitable piece of music for their performance. The steps are relatively simple, but the accuracy of the stick hitting is important. Seek help from a knowledgeable parent or local Morris group to ensure this is done safely.

Make a film 60 mins Creative Expression Design and creativity

Plan and produce a storyboard and script for a short film. Using the Scouts as actors and filmmakers, allocate roles and rehearse the scenes. Finally produce the film using a video camera. Completing this activity may take the Scouts several weeks depending on how ambitious their storyboard turns out.

Orienteering 60 mins Outdoor and AdventureActivities outdoors

Ensure that the Scouts are proficient in using a map and compass. Set up an orienteering course that can be completed in 45 minutes. Let the Scouts complete the course, either individually, in pairs or small groups according to their ability. Stress that all participants must be back at a specified time.

Pay the ransom 60 mins Fit for LifeGames Activities outdoors

Organise a wide game for the Scouts based on the scenario of having to pay a ransom to retrieve a stolen item. The Scouts should be directed to two or three locations using cryptic clues or phone calls, deliver a ransom and then collect a package from a final location. Alternatively, they should observe the ransom’s collection and exchange from a hidden viewpoint. There should be sufficient clues in the choice of locations to let the Scouts guess who stole the package.

Climb or float 90 mins Outdoor and AdventureActivities outdoors

Take the Scouts to a local climbing wall. These are often located at sports centres and may be indoors or outdoors. Or, take the Scouts to a local canoe club. Some Scout Groups will have their own boats.In each case, the use of qualified staff is essential. The equipment required is also specialised and may need to be hired for an evening. Check how many Scouts can be accommodated at a time and limit numbers accordingly.

Activity Time Zone/Method Instructions

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For more great ideas visit www.scouts.org.uk/pol

scouts_6709.indd 9 18/5/09 17:18:43

The easy guide to visits abroad

With over 45,000 Scouts going overseas every year, it is important that the correct processes are followed says Richard Neville. However, this is not as difficult or time consuming as you might think!

T he first step is to contact your Assistant County

Commissioner (International) or country

equivalent and request a Visits Abroad pack.

This contains all you need to know about

organising a trip or expedition, including a factsheet

talking you through the process and the all-important

Travel Abroad authorisation form.

Early planningIt is important to start planning your visit abroad as early

as possible and to include 10% contingency in your

budgeting. You will also need to remember that the

Nights Away procedures still need to be followed.

Both your Assistant County Commissioner

(International) or country equivalent and the International

Office at Headquarters will be able to answer questions

that you may have. A visit overseas can be a great

experience for your Troop and it’s a big world

out there. Get exploring!

To get your planning underway, request a Visits Abroad folder, and fly over to www.scouts.org.uk/international

To get your planning underway,

10 Scouts June/July 2009

more info

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VISITS ABROAD

‘Why we go international’

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If I had to choose one highlight of the Scouting year, it would be our summer camps abroad, says Scout Leader, Colin Simpson

M ost of the Scouts in my Troop have only

really been abroad with their families, so

the opportunity of exploring a new

country with their friends and finding out

about a different way of life is hugely exciting for them.

When camping in the UK, the success of the camp

largely relies on the activities laid on. However when

camping abroad the excitement begins from the minute

your journey starts. For example some Scouts may not

have travelled on a plane before, never handled foreign

currency and even public transport can be an adventure in

itself. The whole experience of exploring a different

culture makes them realise, often for the first time the

world they live in exists beyond the community they live in.

Easy to organise International trips appear to be something

some Troops ‘do’ and some Troops ‘don’t’.

Much of this appears to be due to the perception

of difficulty and risk in providing Scouting in foreign

countries. However I would argue international summer

camps are no more onerous to organise than UK based

camps, especially when you become familiar with the

procedure and are perfectly within the reach of most

Scout Troops. When visiting a Scout centre such as

Kandersteg in Switzerland, it requires even less effort, as

they will organise and run much of the programme on

your behalf.

The good thing about trips abroad is that there is a

wealth of experience around the movement to advise and

support you. It would also be a good idea for your first trip

abroad to join up with another Troop to learn from them.

Remember to try and make contact with some

local Scouts as well – the Internet is ideal for this

and locals are an excellent source of information

for finding areas away from traditional tourist

destinations which will add real quality to the camp.

Talk it over Finally, remember to speak with your Scouts to find the

kinds of places they would like to go. A Scout Troop

recently visited Auschwitz during a camp in Poland - they

had been learning about it in school and it was

somewhere they would like to go. There really is no limit

to the opportunities available.

See www.kisc.ch for information about Kandersteg International Scout Centre.

more info

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June/July 200912 Scouts June/July 2009

Clock faceGive parts of your meeting place numbers, as if it were a

clock face. Call out a 24 hour time and see who goes to

right part of the hall, relative to the ‘12’ which can change

from time to time.

Cliff hangerEach team is given several lengths of rope and string, of

various lengths and a plastic beaker. The objective is to

attach the beaker in such as way as it can be lifted across

a chasm (marked on the floor, width depending on age

and ability; or the whole length of the floor for older

players. Put a table on each side of the chasm for each

team’s start and finish points. After the beaker has been

attached and before it’s lifted, it’s filled with water.

This is easier to play if your meeting place has beams,

but it’s not impossible without them. At some point at

least the beaker must be lifted above head height. The

players will need some time and paper and pencil to work

out how they’re going to do it.

Chair carryPut the players into three. Two

of them make a ‘seat’ with

their arms and carry the

third person to the

end of the meeting

place.

Clear the deckAll the players walk

round the hall. On the

signal, they must all get

off the floor. The last

player gets a point.

Least points wins!

SnowballsEach team has an equal number of snowballs (scrunched

up pieces of paper) and an equal area of the hall. The idea

is to get rid of your own snowballs and to keep the other

teams out of your area. Stop every now and then to count

up and redistribute.

Number ballThe players stand in a large circle. In the middle is a leader

with a large ball. She throws it to each player in turn,

counting the catch and return as ‘one’ ‘two’ etc. The idea

is to see how high a score the players can reach without

the ball being dropped. If the ball is dropped, the count

starts again at ‘one.’ Nobody wins or loses; each player is

trying hard for the team.

Knot raceThis game is useful for testing knot knowledge – make

sure Scouts are confident with two or three knots before

trying it. Ask the Scouts to form up into teams. One player

from each team then races to the end of the hall and are

told by a leader which knot to tie. They must then race

Need a five minute filler? Feel like your meeting is sagging in the middle? Then

look no further – try these bright ideas to give things a lift, says Frances Lane

Meeting sparklers

scouts_6709.indd 12 15/5/09 15:18:53

scouts.org.uk/shop01903 766 921

SCOUTSHOPS

EQUIPPED FOR ADVENTURE

N

S

Games and activities

Meeting sparklers back to their team and tag the next player, who

then carries on.

Number ballThe players stand in a large circle. In the middle is a

leader with a large ball. She throws it to each player

in turn, counting the catch and return as ‘one’ ‘two’

etc. The idea is to see how high a score the players

can reach without the ball being dropped. If the ball

is dropped, the count starts again at ‘one.’ Nobody

wins or loses; each player is trying hard for the team.

Catch the thief One player is blindfolded and must try and catch the

others, who are only allowed to take three steps for

the whole game. Once they have taken them, they

can duck and dodge, but they must keep their feet

still. Anyone caught becomes the new ‘policeman.’

Thanks to Printforce for permission to reprint

these games. A selection of games books are

available from the Scout Information Centre on

0845 300 1818 or www.scouts.org.uk/infocentre

Scout Baseball CapItem code: 1025891

£5.75

Look good and protect yourself from the sun. A 100% cotton navy baseball cap in adult size with the official Scout logo embroidered on the front.

This 65 litre Karrimor Bobcat 65 rucksack has lots of great features for a few days’ trek. Features include:• Supercool back system• Grab handle • Side compression straps• Two compartments• Removable sit mat• Key clip• Pocket in lid for additional storage• Front map pocket• Two mesh wand pockets• Lid shock cord carrying system• Ice axe/walking pole attachmentWeight: 1480g, Colour: Cobalt/Cinder

Karrimor Bobcat 65 RucksackItem code: 1026594 RRP £65, Our price: £58.50

Kick it, stomp it, crush it and the Really Big Oball bounces right back to a perfectly formed sphere. Great

fun and amazingly durable, it can be used in a meeting place, garden,

campsite or on the beach.

Really Big OballItem code: 1026847

£12.50

Made from 100% cotton, the

Scout towel is indispensable for

any camping trip! Size: 153x75cm

Scout TowelItem code: 1024948

£13

All profits go back into Scouting. The Scout Association Registered Charity number 306101 (England and Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland).

scouts_6709.indd 13 15/5/09 15:19:07

14 Scouts June/July 2009

P icture the scene: a group of excitable Scouts

are crowded onto a viewing platform while

machines bang and whirr beneath them,

separating recyclable items from rubbish.

Some items are separated by being shaken, while paper

and card has to be hand sorted to prevent contamination

from small pieces of plastic. Other machines use magnets

to either pick up the steel cans or repel aluminium cans

and foil.

Elsewhere there is a machine that scans all plastic items

to check whether they can be recycled or not. By the end

of the journey all of the items are sorted into separate

skips where they are compressed into bales ready to be

sent off to be recycled into something new

Serious about the environmentA fun filled and noisy evening was had by all but the key

message of the Serco sponsored badge was loud and

clear: if we’re serious about the environment, we need to

drastically reduce the amount of refuse we send to landfill.

The following day, to reinforce the point, some of the

Scouts met up with the Secretary of State for the

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs at Defra headquarters

in London where they were awarded their badges and

made their views known.

Order your free packWhy not follow suit and get your Scouts recycling by

ordering a free resource pack from www.scouts.org.uk/

sponsor? You could even organise a trip to your local

Materials Recycling Facility. You will need to be quick if

you want a resource pack they are flying off the shelves

and we only have 88 left in stock.

Finally don’t forget to send us a description of your

project, your results and lots of before and after pictures

to scouts@serco.com You’ll be entered into our prize draw

to win a tailor made activity day for your Troop.

Happy recycling!

Recycling in action

In spring 2009, 34 Scouts and their leaders met up at the Materials Recycling Facility in Milton Keynes to officially launch the Serco sponsored Environment Partnership Award. Find out why they’re making some noise about the environment

scouts_6709.indd 14 15/5/09 15:19:32

PROMOTION

Get sorted for your

Big Adventurefor the big adventure

✁

A ll Scout Groups and parents will be invited

to a special exclusive Big Adventure Open

Evenings at their local Millets store. Staff will

be on hand to provide an overview of

products so that you may make informed choices as

well as get advice on any aspect of the outdoors.

These may include:

• introduction to camping for newcomers

• exclusive previews of new product ranges

• preferential discounts and special deals

• Hints and tips for hiking and camping

• boot fitting services

Contact your local Millets Store Manager by logging

onto their Storefinder at www.millets.co.uk or to arrange

your Big Adventure evening with Millets. They look

forward to welcoming you!

If your big camp is just around the corner, then it’s not too late to get expert advice on the right kit to take. Millets has teamed up with The Scout Association as your recommended exclusive High Street outdoor retailer and major sponsor of The Big Adventure

scouts_6709.indd 15 18/5/09 17:19:04

16 Scouts June/July 2009

What: Jamboree-on-the-Air 2009 When: Midnight on Friday 16 October to Midnight on 18 OctoberHow to get involved: Contact the UK JOTA Team at Gilwell Park or email richard.neville@scout.org.uk Factsheet: Jamboree On the Air (FS120521)Websites: www.scouting-radio.org.uk and www.scouts.org.uk/jota

Radio ScoutingScouts taking part in the first

Jamboree-on-the-Air in 1958.

Has your Troop ever taken to the airwaves? Chris James speaks to Richard Gaskell about why amateur radio is still a relevant activity for Scouts, not to mention how Jamboree-on-the-Air is a brilliant way to complete the international element of the balanced programme

I n 1957 some Scouts were sitting together in a

coffee bar in the afterglow of the historic

Jamboree-Indaba-Moot at Sutton Park,

Birmingham. They had just celebrated the

Centenary of B-P’s birth and were wondering what to do

next. These Scouts were also radio buffs and the

Jamboree had helped run an amateur radio station which

had brought them together. They struck upon one of the

most enduring ideas the Movement has ever seen – a way

to bring the Scouts of the world together more cheaply

than getting them to travel to the same field.

So began Jamboree-on-the Air or JOTA as it is more

commonly known (it rhymes with ROTA in case you were

wondering). By international agreement the third full

weekend in October was adopted for the event.

International at home Remarkably, 51 such annual JOTAs have taken place, all in

the same weekend each October. Over this time, tens of

millions of Scouts have taken part, often without leaving

their own town.

‘Quite simply, it’s an opportunity to do international

activities at home,’ says Richard Gaskell, JOTA Co-

ordinator. ‘Scouts can speak to Scouts in the next town,

in the next County, country and if you’re lucky, the next

continent.‘

Getting startedAnyone in Scouting can get involved in the event. ‘The

best way to get started is to ask whether any Scout

leaders or parents hold an amateur radio transmitting

licence. If not, then get in touch with the local amateur

radio club,’ says Richard. ‘It’s quite likely that they will have

helped Scouts in the past. Once you have decided to take

scouts_6709.indd 16 15/5/09 15:20:36

17scouts.org.uk/pol

DiD you know? • ScoutscouldearnaRadioWirelessBadge

asearlyas1923(Baden-Powellwasanearlyradioenthusiast!)

• AspartofJamboree-on-the-Air,someluckyScoutsfromCawston,NorfolkmaderadiocontactwiththeInternationalSpaceStation.CrewCommanderFrankCulbertsonworehisScoutingt-shirtwhilehechattedtothem!

Troop AcTiviTy

Radio Scouting part, it is also important that you inform certain people. As

well as advertising the event to the members of your

Group, you should also inform your District Commissioner,

County Adviser (Amateur Radio) if there is one, and ACC

(Activities). You should also register you interest with the

UK JOTA Team at Gilwell Park.

Richard’s advice is to plan your participation in JOTA as

part of a day of activities. ‘Because only one or two Scouts

can go on air at the same time, it’s best to have some

other activities on offer so everyone is occupied. That way

no one gets bored or impatient.’

But why in an age of mobile phones should Scouts still

bother with radio? ‘I liken it to going to a club or even the

pub,’ says Richard, You pop down there and just fall into

conversation. I always encourage Scouts to think about

what they are going to say in advance,’ Richard

recommends. ‘They can talk about anything they like of

course, but Scouting activities are always a popular subject

– what skills they’ve been learning, what they’re cooking

for lunch, what badges they are going for and so on.’

Overcoming language barriers Of course Scouting is an international language, but what

about the practicalities of speaking to Scouts from another

country? ‘Fortunately for us, English is the world language

of amateur radio,’ says Richard. There are also some

universally recognised abbreviations: for example QTH

means ‘My location is . . . ‘

Today Jamboree-on-the-Air goes hand in hand with

Jamboree-on-the-Internet which takes place over the

same weekend (again, contact Richard Neville at Gilwell or

visit www.joti.org) However there is something about the

thrill of the crackling airwaves, that means it still has a

certain magic for Scouts of all ages.

GuiDelineS foR leaDeRS• ThisisachanceforallScoutstotakepartinaninternationalJamboree.

• Domakecontactwithleaders,parentsorlocalamateurradioclubswellinadvance.ManyarewillingtoputtheirknowledgeandequipmenttoworkfortheScoutsduringJOTA.

• Dobuilduptotheeventwithsomeinternationalprogrammeactivities.

• RememberthatJamboreeontheAirisaScouteventandassuchyouareincharge.

• Rememberthatradioequipmentisexpensivesokeepafirmcontrolofthoseattending.

• DoreturntheJamboree-on-the-Airreportformaftertheevent.

• Don’tassumethatallradioamateursareexpertcommunicatorswithyoungpeople.

• Dothanktheradioamateursfortheirhelp.

scouts_6709.indd 17 15/5/09 15:20:51

18 Scouts June/July 2009

For further details about the competition and the Fire Safety Badge, visit www.chubb.co.uk/scouts

more info

All fired upChubb Fire is once again calling on Scout Troops nationwide to put their creative skills into action and spread the message of fire safety for its annual competition

C hristmas may seem like a long way off, but we

need your attention now. This year’s

competition challenges Troops to design a

Christmas card on the theme of ‘Keeping safe

from fire around Christmas and New Year’. The winning

design is to be used as Chubb Fire’s Christmas e-card, sent

to its customers and contacts over the 2009 Christmas

period.

The competition is open to all Scout Troops in the UK.

As well as the chance to see your Troop’s design

reproduced as an e-card, winning entrants will receive

prize money of £300 to be put towards an outdoor

activity. The two runners up will win prizes of £100 each.

The closing date for entries is Thursday 1 October, with

the winning design to be announced on Friday 30

October.

Spark of creativity‘Previous entries to the annual competition have been of a

very high standard,’ says Jane Garland, Chubb Fire’s

Marketing and Communications Manager. ‘It is always

great to see so many Scouts getting into the festive spirit

early to enter the competition.’

The competition comes as part of Chubb Fire’s ongoing

support for The Scout Association and its commitment to

spreading the fire safety message. Chubb is the long

running sponsor of the Fire Safety Activity Badge, which

offers the Scouts invaluable advice on fire prevention,

detection and escape routes should a fire break out. Since

its introduction in November 2003 more than 65,000

Scouts have received the badge, making it one of the

most popular of all.

Live demonstrations As part of the badge requirements, Scouts need to be

able to recognise which fire extinguisher puts out which

type of fire. Chubb Fire also offers live fire demonstrations,

giving Scouts the opportunity, within a safe controlled

environment, to use fire extinguishers and fire blankets on

a live fire. These hands-on events always prove extremely

popular, and after a successful series of demonstrations

earlier in the year, there is one more planned in Sunbury-

on-Thames on the Thursday 29 October 2009.

Competition

Win £300!

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