Boy Scouts of America

Guidelines for Scout Leaders

This is a chance for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers to take part in an international jamboree and be introduced to technology that could serve to launch a lifelong hobby or even a career.

Note that radio amateurs spend a lot of time and effort working to achieve their licenses. In addition, they invest a great deal of money in their equipment and stations. Many are so passionately interested in their hobby that they cannot understand that to others it may be incomprehensible or even boring. It sometimes requires the skills of a diplomatic Scout leader to explain this to a keen ham who has given up his or her whole weekend to help with JOTA.

General Guidelines

Here’s a few guidelines to follow as you prepare for the event:

  • Make contact with local radio amateurs well in advance and discuss a balanced program of activities before and during JOTA.
  • Make sure the amateur’s efforts are rewarded by ensuring that Scouts turn up for the event. Build up the event through publicity within your council, district, and unit.
  • JOTA is a Scout event, and as such, Scout leaders are in charge. Keep firm control over those attending.
  • Don’t assume that all radio amateurs are expert communicators with youth.
  • Integrating events around JOTA can be very helpful in maximizing attendance. For example, set up a JOTA station (or several) at a camporee.
  • Order participant patches for the number you expect to attend. Include some patches to share with the radio amateurs.
  • Download the certificate of participation and log sheet. Duplicate enough for all participants.
  • Review the section titled “Amateur Radio Terms.”
  • Feed the radio amateurs on the day of the event.
  • Thank the radio amateurs for their assistance.
  • Register your event beforehand by sending an email with the location, a description of activities, the station call sign, and the expected number of participants to the national JOTA organizer at jota@scouting.org. The full report format is provided on this website. Check this site often to see a list of all the stations that have registered. You may find an opportunity to schedule a ham radio contact during the JOTA weekend.
  • File a report of your station’s activities using the format on this site under the tab “JOTA Event Report Form.” When you return your event report, your event will be included, in summary form, in the full U.S. report submitted to the World Scout Bureau. You will receive a copy of the full report by email.

Radio Merit Badge Requirements Met by JOTA Participation

The following requirements can be completed during a typical JOTA event.

7)  Visit a radio installation (an amateur radio station, broadcast station, or public communications center, for example) approved in advance by your counselor. Discuss what types of equipment you saw in use, how it was used, what types of licenses are required to operate and maintain the equipment, and the purpose of the station.

9a(6) Using proper call signs, Q signals, and abbreviations, carry on a 10-minute real or simulated radio contact using voice, Morse code, or digital mode. . . . Properly log the real or simulated ham radio contact and record the signal report.

Publicity

You’re encouraged to send news releases of the event to all local newspapers and television and radio stations. You can encourage photographers to attend the event. You can also forward photos to your local news media, including weekly papers. A sample news release is included on this website.

Final Thoughts

It’s recommended that you also look over the “Guidelines for Amateur Radio Operators.” While the technical terms may be challenging, it will give you an idea of the necessary preparation by your partners in the event, and perhaps you’ll see areas where you can help.

Best wishes for a great Jamboree-on-the-Air. We look forward to hearing all about it in your JOTA report.

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.