Boy Scouts of America

JOTA Sample News Release

This is a sample media alert/news release that can serve as a model when working with your own JOTA event and getting information to your local media.

For more background on publicity see the very helpful Scouting Publicity Guide at https://www.k2bsa.net/scouting-publicity-guide/ 

 

MEDIA ALERT
Media Contact
Name of Your Contact
Phone Number
Email Address 

 

 

HOUSTON, WE HAVE A FREQUENCY!

DFW Boy Scouts to Speak With NASA Astronaut on Board International Space Station Using Amateur Radio

 WHAT

Scouting America is hosting the 60th Annual JOTA/JOTI (Jamboree-on-the-Air and Jamboree-on-the-Internet) Extravaganza at the National Scouting Museum in Irving, Texas. Scouts from all over North Texas are invited to share ideas and Scouting experiences with their Scouting peers around the world using two-way amateur radio and satellite links as well as the Internet.

The National Scouting Museum has been selected to be the only JOTA/JOTI location in the world that will enable local Scouts to communicate directly with NASA astronaut Jeff Williams, a former Star Scout who is currently on board the International Space Station. This communication will be relayed live to all other JOTA stations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area using two-way amateur radio connection

The JOTA/JOTI annual event contributes to better understanding and mutual respect between youngsters in different countries. Thousands of amateur radio stations around the world participate.

 WHY: 

More than 500,000 Scouts in 100 countries from Algeria to Zimbabwe participate in JOTA each year, but the Dallas-Fort Worth Scouts have the unique opportunity to communicate with U.S. astronauts in space. As part of the event, all participants will receive free museum admission, food and drink, a special JOTA patch, and a designated QSL card for the JOTA.

The event is open to all Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, and adult leaders, family, and friends.

 WHEN: 

9 a.m to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Between 4:56 p.m. and 5:06 p.m.
(Scouts will be talking live with U.S. astronauts)

 WHERE: 

National Scouting Museum
1329 Walnut Hill Lane
Irving, Texas 75038

 VISUALS:  

  • Hundreds of uniformed Scouts communicating via amateur radio and the Internet with their global peers
  • Twenty DFW area Scouts will talk live with NASA astronaut Jeff Williams on board the International Space Station
  • Three JOTI station locations with two laptops at each location for use by voice and texting
  • Four JOTA ham radio stations 
  • Satellite communication demonstrations
  • The City of Irving’s Emergency Communication vehicle on display

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:

  • Scouts from the Circle Ten and Longhorn Councils
  • Jim Wilson, Director, Media Services & Public Relations
  • April Proulx, National Scouting Museum Programs Director

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