JOTA (Jamboree on the Air)

Fraser Valley Council is hosting JOTA at Camp Mclean in Langley.  And we are looking for groups to assist by setting up and manning stations for the Scouts to learn how radio works and talk to other Scouts around the world.

For those of you who are not familiar with JOTA, it is a day set aside for the Scouting movement around the world to participate in HAM radio.  Similar with an Amateur Field Day, it allows Scouts to experience radio on their level and to communicate with others who have similar interests. For additional information and other opportunities to participate, see the JOTA website.     https://www.jotajoti.info/

We will be asking Scouting groups from around the lower mainland (and outside as well) to come to Camp Mclean on Friday Oct 19^th, 2018 to camp for the weekend.  More about the venue can be found at http://www.campmclean.ca/

On Saturday Oct 20^th, 2018 (between 9AM and 5PM) they will be  scheduled to visit each of the stations set up around the camp.  These stations will include JOTA, JOTI and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) activities.  If your club, or any of your members, can assist us on this date with equipment and/or man-hours, please contact me.  Alternatively you can reach out to your local Scout group.

Since this invitation is going out to Scouting groups all over, you may be able to coordinate with them to make it more enjoyable by attending one of their meetings to get the ball rolling as it were.  If they are not planning to attend our event, perhaps you can work together to do something with them.

Please pass this message on to all of your members or other HAMs that you feel may have time and interest in this activity.  I have participated in JOTA with the Scouts and our local Radio club for the past 10 years.  I have had a good time every year.  Watching the kids exploring a passion I have is a rewarding experience.