Now hear this: 2016 Jamboree-on-the-Air, Jamboree-on-the-Internet dates set

On the third weekend in October, 1 million Scouts from 150 different countries will unite to celebrate the global power of Scouting.

And they’ll do it without leaving the neighborhood.

Join the fun by involving your pack, troop, team, post, ship or crew in the 2016 Jamboree-on-the-Air and Jamboree-on-the-Internet — held concurrently Oct. 14 to 16, 2016.

This year’s theme — “Discover Our World” — challenges young men and young women to reach out to their fellow Scouts and learn about the differences and similarities that unite us as members of World Scouting.

The conversation topics are limitless: What’s the Eagle Scout equivalent in Ecuador? Where do Scouts from Helsinki hike? Do Dutch Scouts ever use Dutch ovens?

The 59-year-old Jamboree-on-the-Air uses amateur radio to enable the exchange of questions like those. To participate, most units visit an amateur radio operator’s ham shack or ask the radio operator to set up at a local park.

The smaller Jamboree-on-the-Internet is 20 years old and requires less setup. Scouts or Venturers use any internet-enabled device —  computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone — to talk to Scouts from far-off places.

In addition to being incredibly fun, JOTA and JOTI count toward Scouting requirements:

  • For Tigers, this meets requirements for the elective adventure Family Stories.
  • For Webelos, it counts toward the Arrow of Light adventure Building a Better World.
  • Boy Scouts can check off a requirement for the Citizenship in the World merit badge.
  • All Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturers and adult leaders can count the event toward the requirements for the International Spirit Award.

Visit the BSA’s JOTA website or JOTI website for more details, participation certificates and info on ordering the 2016 patches.


About Bryan Wendell 3282 Articles
Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the founder of Bryan on Scouting and a contributing writer.