EXPLORE THE WORLD OF SCOUTING

Westside Fall Camporee

October 18-20, 2024

Maumee Scout Reservation

Theme:  International Scouting

Cost:  $20 per Scout or Leader

Special:  $10 per Cub Scout (Parent included) – see below

The third weekend in October every year is JOTA/JOTI (Jamboree on the Air/Jamboree on the Internet) – the largest Scouting event in the world by number of participants.  We will have opportunities for Scouts to connect with other Scouts by ham radio and internet all day Saturday.  (N.B.  Talking to a Scout from another country is a requirement for Citizenship in the World MB.)  We will have iPads available for JOTI, so you don’t have to bring anything.

In addition to JOTA/JOTI participation, we will have a number of Saturday morning activities for fun and learning, including displays on World Scouting and information on the World Friendship Fund, the International Spirit Award (earnable by Cubs, Scouts, Venturers, and Leaders), the World Conservation Award, the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Messengers of Peace, U.S. Passport applications (another requirement for Citizenship in the World), how to earn your Interpreter Strip, and how to tie the international Friendship Knot for your neckerchief (no more lost slides!).  There will also be a geography game to test your knowledge of the countries of the world.  (There will be a special game more suited to Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts than the geography game.)

In the afternoon, the units in attendance will provide the program.  Each unit will choose a foreign country to teach the other Scouts about (including its Scouting program).  We will have a midway where units will present displays on their chosen countries; also, each unit will offer a participatory activity – a game, activity, dance, or food from their chosen country that all the Scouts can try.

Each participant will have a “passport” booklet prepared for him or her.  (Unit leaders:  please send pictures –jpeg only – to Stephanie Worden (sworden4@gmail.com ) by three weeks before the event.  Each pic should be labeled with the Scout’s name and unit.)  This passport will have space for up to twelve visa stamps.  Participating in the activities of the weekend, morning and afternoon, will garner stamps for the Scout.  Activity leaders on staff will have stamps and stamp pads for those dropping by to participate in their activities; units will be given special stamps for those visiting their stations.  Any Scout or leader who fills one’s passport with the appropriate number of stamps (including at least four from the morning activities), will receive in addition to the event patch a purple neckerchief (the color of international Scouting).  Those who register late can have their pictures taken by Troop 1119 upon arrival, and we will print passports for them at camp (please, please, don’t make us have to do too many).

Unit recognitions will be for best display and best participatory activity (1st, 2nd, 3rd in each category).  A difficulty factor will be applied in the judging to encourage Scouts to consider more challenging countries:  bonuses for taking us places we might not know anything about!

NO TARGET SPORTS:  Yeah, the national sport of Korea is archery – but we won’t have the range open.  And Australians are known for throwing boomerangs, but throwing a boomerang in a crowded area full of Scouts is inherently dangerous (remember, it’s been thrown at you).  So, NO TARGET SPORTS.

WEBELOS/ARROW OF LIGHT SCOUTS:  Many of the activities for international Scouting – especially JOTA/JOTI are Cub Scout activities, too.  So 4 & 5th grade Cubs who want to come out for the day (no overnight camping) are welcome to attend with their adult partner for a special price.  Cubs and partners should bring sack lunches.  We will not have the camp kitchen open, and National Camping Standards do not want the Cubs and Scouts cooking together in the campsites.  (Just following the rules, here.)  Cubs will not qualify for the neckerchief (Cubs have their own system of neckers for their ranks), but they will receive the patch for registering and can participate in all the appropriate activities.  If we have their pictures, we’ll make them a passport, too.  Adult partners can purchase a patch for themselves in addition to the one their Cub receives.

Saturday will conclude with an international-themed campfire.  Units wanting to perform must audition.  There will be a chapel service Sunday morning.  Leaders’ meeting & cracker barrel will be Friday evening at 8:00 p.m.

Art Collins, our Council International Representative, will chair the camporee.  Host troops will be 1119 from Ellettsville and 173 from Solsberry.