Super weekend of Scouting across NSW

Thousands of Scouts were out and about across NSW on the weekend for the biggest two days in Scouting this year.

NSW played host to four camps and at least four day-activities at eight sites across from 19-20 October. Every event featured a staple of the Scouting calendar – JOTA-JOTI.

Jamboree on the Air and Jamboree on the Internet is a World Scouting event where youth members across the world connect with one another via amateur radio and the internet, as well as participate in other STEM-related activities, such as electronics or radio fox hunting.

JOTA-JOTI supports young people aged five to 25 to learn about different kinds of communication technology, the values of global citizenship and their role in a better world.

The weekend also included ceremonies for the 70 Scouts who achieved their Australian Scout Award and 1st Ingleburn Scout Group’s 100th anniversary celebrations.

Boree Regatta

Region: South Metropolitan

Participants: About 600, including 300-400 youth members of all ages

Activities: Fun on and off the water with a Space theme, including “Moon Boots” (four young people are strapped to a pair of skis and need to step around the course), “Raft Race” (Patrols construct a raft and paddle it around a course) and the Boree Knotting Challenge (tying six classic knots using individual ropes in the fastest time).

The Boree JOTA (radio only) base was organised and manned by the St George Amateur Radio Society, which has some Scouting Leaders as members. This year, Scouts were able to try shortwave and UHF, VHF options of radio communications, as well as take part in a foxhunt – tracking a transmitter using a handheld receiver.

Garigal and Northern Beaches Districts JOTA-JOTI Camp

Region: Sydney North

Participants: About 110, including 80 youth members

Activities: Scouts enjoyed four different JOTA-JOTI based activities, supported by the Manly-Warringah Radio Society. JOTA – setting up an antenna, talking on shortwave radio, playing Battleship via radio and learning Morse code; JOTI – chatting with Scouts from across the world via the internet; Making electronic gadgets; visiting the Manly-Warringah Radio Society and seeing their setup.

Northern Rivers

Region: North Coast

Participants: About 80, including 50 youth members and Girl Guides

Activities: The camp started out as a JOTA-JOTI weekend but has evolved into a fun camp featuring JOTA-JOTI activities. In addition to amateur radios and internet chat sessions, the highlight of the event is the 50m water slide! This camp is unique in that attendees have the choice to participate in as many (or as few!) activities as they like.

GWS JOTA

Region: Greater Western Sydney

Participants: About 75 across two sessions

Activities: Specifically for Joey Scouts, Cub Scouts, Pre-Junior and Junior Guides, this JOTA event was hosted by the Blue Mountains Scout Fellowship and Blue Mountains Amateur Radio Club. Attendees had opportunities to talk on UHF, HF and 2m radios, as well as 2-way radio handsets where they were given instructions over the radio to complete a puzzle. They also learnt Morse code, the phonetic alphabet and could make small electronic kits.

Panania JOTA-JOTI

Region: South Metropolitan

Participants: About 88, including 66 Scouts and Guides

Activities: Talking on the amateur radios both long distance and local radio communication with other JOTA stations, including making contact with Boston, USA; practicing phonetic alphabet and using the practice Morse code units; using a world atlas to see where they had made contact with; and using JOTI to chat with Scouts and Guides locally and interstate, including via an all-day Zoom meeting. Attendees were lucky enough to connect with Scouts and Guides from around the world, including the three Groups from England, a Leader from Glenfield Scout Camp, and a Venturer Scout on holiday in Goulburn. A Scouting Commissioner from Kenya near Lord Baden-Powell’s grave spoke with Scouts at Panania, Glenfield, Goulburn and two Guide Groups, giving insight into Scouting in Kenya.

Port Stephens District

Region: Hunter and Coastal

Participants: About 60 from seven Scout Groups

Activities: Port Stephens Amateur Radio Club operated the JOTA sites for Scouts aged five to 18. Several radios and operators were operating on different bands for JOTA, while multiple computers and tablets were available for JOTI activities. Scouts also made an LED signal light.

Central Coast Lakes District

Region: Hunter and Coastal

Participants: 100, including 90 youth members

Activities: This drop-in JOTA-JOTI event allowed participants to take part in foxhunting (amateur radio direction finding) in the park behind the 1st Tuggerah Lakes Scout hall, as well as try their hand at HF, VHF and UHF amateur radio communications, practice Morse code and join a variety of Skype chat rooms with projectors and webcams.

Humeoree

Region: Hume

Participants: 331, including 192 youth members of all ages

Activities: A mix of fun activities and a JOTA base offered something for everyone. Options included craft activities using recycled materials; horizontal bungee and jumping castle; geocaching; pioneering; and Adventurous Activities, including crate stacking, sock wrestling and horizontal abseiling.

JOTA activities included UHF and digital radios; word searches and crosswords related to JOTA and amateur radio; and a scavenger hunt using Morse code.