Jamboree on the Air
What is Jamboree on the Air?
Jamboree on the Air is the largest Scouting event in the world. It takes place every year with over 1-million Scouts participating from over 150 countries around the world.
Scouts take part in Jamboree on the Air using Amateur Radio. Scouts connect over the radio even if they don't speak the same language. Scouts can talk or use computers to communicate.
Unlike other Scout Jamborees, this one is open to all Scouts. It includes Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Ventures, Explorers and Sea Scouts.
Here is what we have planned this year in Rainbow Council.
Arrow of Light Advancement
New requirements for Arrow of Light went into effect in 2015. One of the core requirements is an adventure called Building a Better World. Jamboree on the Air fulfills one of the requirements to connect with a Scout in another country at an event such as Jamboree on the Air.
We will have four radio stations available for Scouts to communicate around the world. We will use both voice and computers to make it happen. In our experience, Scouts have a great time connecting with other people using the original "social media network" of amateur radio.
Direction Finding "Fox Hunt"
This is an opportunity to for Scouts to practice their orienteering skills. Any Scout (Boy Scout, Cub Scout, or Girl Scout) will use a hand-held radio and antenna to locate a transmitter hidden in the park. Teams of two will look for the "Fox" and get a Jamboree on the Air patch if they succeed. Non-Scout youth also can participate.
Radio Merit Badge
Boy Scouts working on the Radio Merit Badge (or want to open one) can fulfill several requirements during the event. All of our team are Radio Merit Badge counselors and can sign off on any prerequisite work completed prior to the event.
If you have any questions, please let me know. My cell phone is 630-319-0715. My email is N4AE@comcast.net.
Brian McDaniel
Cost: Free
When: Oct 21, 2017 9am-6pm
Inwood Park Joliet, IL