Subject: K0BSA 2012 JOTA JOTI

Let's do it again! was volunteers response to JOTA JOTI event.

October 2012

MINNEAPOLIS MN: We had 120 who participated in our Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) and Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI) events.  The JOTA JOTI event took place at two locations.  At the Main Site we had 60 participants (scouts, scouters, parents, volunteers); and, our Other Site, 60 participants.  Details on our Main Site activities include: radio contacts with 16 stations (3 were international); Radio Merit Badge clases that 9 scouts attended (2 met all requirements for merit badge on day of JOTA); build crystal radios (6 scouts built radios); our JOTI participants were 5 scouts, scooters, volunteers who worked the internet; and the World Scout Recognition patch was promoted amongst 38 register scouts and scouters.

The Main Site (K0BSA) was In the Minneapolis St Paul area of Minnesota the 2012 and was hosted by the Northern Star Museum of Scouting in North St Paul MN.  The North Star Museum is an independent, inclusive history museum using Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting as a lens through which to view the past. Chances are, they're saving something for you! 

At the Museum, Scouts and event volunteers contacted at least 16 amateur radio stations.  International contacts included France, Spain and Brazil.  The Brazilian reception was greatest; and, it occurred as the sun set over the Americas.  Many more radio stations were heard; but, the Scouts and volunteers were unable to establish contact with all of them.  Scouts and volunteers who were on the air, found the Coast Guard had a 73rd Anniversary Coast Guard Amateur Radio net as well.  It made for some good conversations. 

The amateur radio gear used at the Museum was a mobile site setup by K0BSA, Northern Star Council's Crew 3373, sponsored by the Minnesota Youth Amateur Radio Council.  K0BSA is the Twin Cities' only scouting amateur radio club for young adults, male and female, between 14 and 21.  All are welcome to join Crew3373.

As part of the Museum's JOTA JOTI event, Crystal Radio Kits were built by younger Scouts.  A half dozen Scouts built Crystal Radio Kits made available by the North Star Museum.  A volunteer with the International Committee of the Northern Star Council promoted the World Scouting Emblem.  One of the requirements for the Emblem is attendance at a JOTA JOTI event and the North Star Museum's event was right on target to meet that requirement.  

Nine Boy Scouts participated in Radio Merit Badge classes.  With the JOTA event all the Scouts were able to meet the merit badge requirement "... carry on a 10 minute real or simulated radio contact using voice ...".   Two Scouts finished all the requirements of, and qualified for, the Radio Merit Badge.  Another two have a couple of requirements yet to finish; and, the other five are well on their way.

In the Minneapolis St Paul area, the JOTI portion of the event was new.  Several Scouts and Scouters, as well as an event volunteer, tried to work the internet.  They were impressed with the multiple options that we were available.   They were able to find, and were impressed, with the 2012 (photo) Challenge.  Next year they expect to participate in the Challenge.  As for JOTI, consensus was, next year, they hope to get their arms around all the options available on JOTI. 

The Other Site (KC0ITP) that was part of the JOTA JOTI event attracted 60 Scouts.  The event activity was part of Dan Patch District's Fall Camporee, held at Phillippo Scout Camp near Cannon Falls, MN.  It was a "show-n-tell / hands-on" event.  Of the Dan Patch event, one volunteer at the North St Paul MN site was heard to say. "Next year we've got to get the 'relay' in American Relay League to work in the Northern Star Council with the 2013 JOTA JOTI event."

LINK Museum http://www.nssm.org/

LINK K0BSA https://sites.google.com/site/2012nscjotajoti/home/koebsa---info---join

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Contact Information:

Nicholas (Nick) P Heille (KD0NYS)

Committee Member Crew 3373 (K0BSA)

Committee Member Metro Lakes District

Northern Star Council Boy Scouts of America

Greater Minneapolis St Paul Minnesota area

3460 Garfield St NE

Minneapolis MN 55418

USA

612-789-6527