Three Fires Council

The International Committee of the Three Fires Council views Scouting as an international brotherhood and is committed to helping Scouts in the Three Fires Council interact with Scouts from other nations around the world. We are please to offer your this newsletter with up to date offerings of International Scouting Opportunities!

TFC International Newsletter - Volume 1, Number 1

Are You Interested in an International Opportunity?

The International Department of the Boy Scouts of America is in the process of updating their database of Scouts and leaders who are interested in participating in International Scouting opportunities as a delegate of the Boy Scouts of America. Nomination forms are available for youth  and leaders  and the International Department requests that interested parties submit their recommendations as soon as possible so that the database can be updated so that scouts and leaders may be considered for upcoming events.  Your international representatives are responsible for collecting and sending recommendations to the BSA’s international committee.

Local Contact
Please contact your TFC international representatives Joe Harrington  630-707-0200 or Ken King  630-513-0494, for questions and answers about this process. Per international division requirements, these nominations must be processed by your local council International Representative. 

Jamboree on the Air (JOTA)

Not all international Scouting experiences require a scout to cross the border.  The Jamboree on the Air brings scouts from around the world together through radio contact.

What Is Jamboree -on-the-Air: The Jamboree-on-the-Air, or JOTA, is an annual Scouting and amateur radio event sponsored by the World Scout Bureau of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Thousands of amateur radio stations around the world participate. If the conditions are right, it is common to contact a hundred Scouting countries during the weekend. In the United States, Cub Scout dens and Boy Scout patrols visit a local amateur’s ham shack during JOTA. Many districts and councils hold events that coincide with JOTA, where amateurs set up stations giving Scouts and leaders a chance to exchange greetings with Scouts from other areas. The exchanges typically include information such as
• Name
• Location (QTH)
• Scout rank
• Hobbies
• Age

Some exchanges lead to long-lasting friendships and the exchange of photos, badges, pins, and patches. The usual communications method calls for speaking into a microphone. However, the following specialized communications are also used during JOTA:
• Slow Scan TV, or SSTV
• Amateur TV, or ATV
• Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio, or OSCAR
• Packet radio, or modem communication without a phone—PSK-31
• Radio Teletype, or RTTY
• Earth-Moon-Earth, or EME, contacts
• EchoLink

There will be many stations operating, including the following:
• K2BSA stations assigned to various areas, such as K2BSA/0, K2BSA/1, etc.
• HB95, the World Scout Bureau headquarters in Switzerland
• GB2GP at Gilwell Park, England
Listen for other special call signs from many countries.

WHO: JOTA welcomes participation by Scouting and amateur radio enthusiasts of all ages:
• Cub Scouts
• Boy Scouts
• Venturers
• Brownie Scouts
• Girl Scouts
• Former Scouts and Scouters
• Amateur radio operators
• Anyone interested in doing a Good Turn for Scouting and amateur radio

WHEN: JOTA always falls on the third full weekend in October. JOTA will begin on Saturday, October 20 2012, at 00:00 hours local time, and end on Sunday, October 21, 2012, at 24:00 hours local time.

WHERE: JOTA Scout Frequencies
Band SSB (phone) C W (Morse code)
80-meter 3.690* and 3.940 MHz 3.570 MHz
40-meter 7.090* and 7.190 MHz 7.030 MHz
20-meter 14.290 MHz 14.060 MHz
17-meter 18.140 MHz 18.080 MHz
15-meter 21.360 MHz 21.140 MHz
12-meter 24.960 MHz 24.910 MHz
10-meter 28.390 MHz 28.190 MHz
6-meter 50.160 MHz 50-160 MHz
* Not authorized to transmit in the United States (Region 2); however, you may listen
Note: Remember that others use these frequencies, so move off the listed frequency if another group is operating there. Always be courteous; others will find you.

HOW: Scouts and leaders should follow some of the following tips for help in preparing for participation in the JOTA program:
• Contact a local amateur radio operator.
• Contact a local amateur radio club.
• Put a notice in the local newspaper.
• Run an article in the local council newsletter; almost every local council has a Scouter involved
in amateur radio.
• Contact the American Radio Relay League’s Field and Educational Activities Department toll free at
800-326-3942; or visit the ARRL Web site:
http://www.arrl.org/ead/jota.html.
• Request the More About Jamboree-on-the-Air
(JOTA) guide from the International Department at
Boy Scouts of America, International Department S221,
1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, P.O. Box 152079,
Irving, TX 75015-2079.

Radio amateurs should:
• Invite Scouts and Scout units to their radio shack.  Radio amateurs who do not know any units should contact the nearest BSA local council service center for the names of Scout unit leaders in the area. Local councils can be found by visiting www.scouting.org.
• Volunteer to set up a station at a district or council camporee, Scout show, or other event. Contact the nearest BSA local council service center for more information.
• Call “CQ Jamboree,” or respond to such calls.
• K2BSA/? is available throughout the year for organized Scout events. K2BSA/? may be available for use during JOTA. Contact Ray Moyer for details by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by mail at Boy Scouts of America, Ray Moyer, c/o International, S221, 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, P.O. Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015-0279.
Please make plans early to reserve K2BSA/? for your event. 

JOTA REPORT: The JOTA report on the following pages is very important in working on the next JOTA event. Your combined information will be forwarded to the World Scout Bureau and will be used to improve the overall event. Include anything that was funny, interesting, or learned, along with your ideas or suggestions to help improve the event. If you include pictures, put them on a disk using JPG format so they can be forwarded with the report. Make sure you have the full names of all those in the picture.

Scouts in uniform would be really great. Please provide anything that would be of interest to others.
An example of a story: “The snow was two feet deep but we drank hot chocolate and talked to Scouts from New Zealand. They had just gotten back from swimming.”

Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI):

What Is Jamboree-on-the-Internet? Jamboree-on-the-Internet, or JOTI, is an annual Scouting event sponsored by the World Scout Bureau of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. This event utilizes computers and the Internet. Thousands of Scout groups can be contacted during the weekend. In the United States, Cub Scout dens and Boy Scout patrols can meet and, under the supervision of leadership, make many new friends.
Councils and districts can host a JOTI event at Scout shows or other events where computers can be connected to the Internet.

What Is Needed: All that is needed is one or more computers, a modem, and a phone line or internet connection. As for software, you will need at least:
• A Web browser such as Netscape or Internet Explorer
• An e-mail program or built-in e-mail feature of the Web browser • A chat program (IRC client) to meet and chat with others in real time There are many other things you could use to enhance your JOTI experience; here are some ideas:
• Scanner to scan pictures
• Microphone to connect to a sound card to talk using a voice-capable chat program such as VIRC or JOTI eGroups chat area
• Help from a local amateur radio club
• Digital cameras to take live snapshots to share
• Webcam to post snapshots during JOTI

Who: JOTI welcomes participation by all youth and
organizations that support Scouting:
• Cub Scouts
• Boy Scouts/Varsity Scouts
• Venturers
• Chartered organizations
• Supporters of Scouting
• Anyone interested in doing a Good Turn for Scouting

Rules: Be courteous and acknowledge messages received. If you promise to send information or exchange badges, then keep your word. Think before you write or talk. Do not use language that could offend others. The most important rule to follow is to not give your address, telephone number, or any other personal information on the Internet.

Where to Start: Start by going to the JOTI Web site: www.joti.org. This site has all the information needed to start using JOTI, including the software you need to participate fully. This site is where you can get help setting up JOTI and where you can sign in using the guest book. This site is the meeting place for all participants. The rules are also listed.

How to Start: Before JOTI begins, make sure you visit www.joti.org and www.jotajoti.org. These sites can help you get ready for the JOTI weekend. After getting all the software ready and working, recheck these sites and register yourself as a participant right before the JOTI weekend. You can get a temporary e-mail address that will protect you from unwanted material after JOTI.

Local Contact: Please contact your TFC international representatives Joe Harrington  630-707-0200 or Ken King  630-513-0494, for questions and answers about international scouting opportunities.

Jamboree on the Trail
Jamboree on the Trail (JOTT) is an annual day for the World Scout Movement to hike together. All Scouts, whatever their age and wherever they may be in the world, are invited to participate in whatever way they can. Cubs and younger Scouting sections could visit a local nature trail as part of a weekend camp. A Scout Troop might check out a hiking trail while working on badge requirements. A Rover Crew might make a Service Project out of restoring or maintaining a hiking trail. In their own way, everyone will be hiking the same direction: towards a better future through Scouting.  Hiking emblems to commemorate this event are available through www.jott.org.