JOTA-JOTI
The world’s largest digital and radio Scout event, taking place every October.
JOTA-JOTI is the world’s largest digital and radio Scouts event, taking place every year over the third full weekend of October. It's a great chance for groups and sections to take part in an international Jamboree.
JOTA-JOTI stands for Jamboree on the Air (JOTA), and Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI). It’s organised by the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM).
It’s usually pronounced as JOTA rhyming with ‘rota’ and JOTI rhyming with ‘floaty’.
Taking part from all over the world, thousands of Scouts join in either on the internet or over amateur radios. They get involved in lots of activities and learn about each other’s countries.
This year, JOTA-JOTI will take place from Friday 20 October to Sunday 22 October 2023.
You can take a look at what exciting activities were planned for this year on the JOTI-JOTA website.
To get started, you could find out if there's a local or national event you can take your group to. Have a look to see if there's any local support available, such as through your local Scouts area or from a local amateur radio station.
You could plan JOTA-JOTI into an event about Scouts around the world or communication, or both!
If you want to find out more, you could chat to someone who has been involved in JOTA-JOTI before, or visit an event to see what it's all about.
Don't forget to register on the JOTA-JOTI website.
Everyone can take part!
The event's open to anyone and is for all ages. This even includes people who aren't members of Scouts – or not yet at least!
You can register your group on the JOTA-JOTI website.
Young people over 13 are able to register individually. However, they need to make sure that their parents/carers have been informed and that they know how to take part in the event safely.
We know you’re excited and want to jump straight in, but, before taking part, make sure you have completed a risk assessment for the event. We've included some safety information on this page, too.
JOTI-JOTA is a unique opportunity to speak to other Scouts from around the world.
Young people will learn about another country or a global issue first-hand, and develop communication skills too. There’ll be lots of different activities to get involved in, both online and offline.
It’s an event that has something of a thrill about it for Scouts of all ages, becoming a highlight in the calendar for many.
If you're stepping away from today’s digital technology and going on-the-air, you'll find that there’s a certain magic of the crackling airwaves. There’s a reason JOTA has been going for more than 60 years!
Whether it’s your International badge, Global Issues badge or your World Challenge Award, you can work towards the international parts of the programme.
It’s a good chance to work towards the Communicator badges, too.
If that isn’t enough, you can also get your hands on a JOTA-JOTI fun badge from Scout Store.
The best way to take part in JOTA-JOTI is to build it into an event about Scouts around the world and communication.
Why not plan a themed camp or activity day for that weekend? You can check out our range of global programme activity ideas.
You’ll be able to tap into whichever parts of the international JOTA-JOTI programme you’re interested in.
Don't forget to make sure that everyone always has something to do, especially if you're only logging on in small groups at a time and people will be waiting around to have a turn.
This could be an event for the whole District or County/Area, or groups could host their own event in their meeting place. It might be a nice opportunity for different age groups to come together. If you want to go on-the-air, you’ll need a helping hand from someone who holds an amateur radio transmitting licence to set up a JOTA station. You can find more information about setting up a JOTA station on this page.
Why not chat to another group or District/County/Area or someone who has run a JOTA-JOTI event before for some tips? Or visit an existing event.
You can also get support from the UK JOTA Coordinator and the UK JOTI Coordinator. Get in touch with them at jota@scouts.org.uk and joti@scouts.org.uk.
You could also check if there are any Scout Adventures JOTA-JOTI events that your group could go to.
Whatever you do, it’s important to make sure it’s done safely. Take a look at the safety information on this page.
You can register on the JOTA JOTI website. If registration for this year isn’t open yet, you can follow the JOTA-JOTI Facebook page for updates.
You can register on the JOTA JOTI website. If registration isn’t open yet, you can follow their social media channels for updates.
You’ll need to register yourself first, and then you’ll get the option to register your group. Information about the event will be sent to the email address you’ve registered with.
You can find step-by-step instructions in the JOTA-JOTI registration guide.
It will be useful to have the following information ready:
- Estimated number of people in your group or at your event
- For ‘organisation’, we’re listed as ‘The Scout Association’
- Your group email address and any social media accounts, which you want to use to connect with people during JOTA-JOTI. This will be added to a group directory.
After you’ve registered, you’ll be able to edit and add to your group’s information. You do this by clicking ‘hi’ on the top right of the JOTA-JOTI website, and going to ‘my account’ then ‘update my group’.
If you're setting up a JOTA station, you can register on the Radio Scouting website and have your call sign added to a station list, where you'll be able to find call signs for other groups taking part.
Just like a face-to-face jamboree, the international programme usually has a whole range of activities to enjoy.
From talent shows and campfires to fun challenges and games. You can find out about the programme for the next event, on the JOTA-JOTI website
There’ll be some activities happening at set times and others that you can do yourselves at any time. You'll be able to make contact with other Scouts around the world.
There are different ways you could communicate, including text-based chat, voice chat, video chat and social media:
- Text-based chat: Find out how you’ll be able to message other Scouts around the world. There’ll be different channels you can choose from.
- Voice chat: With ScoutLink, you can also speak to other Scouts in a virtual room, using software called TeamSpeak.
- Video chat: Why not arrange a video chat with another group? Take a look at our guidance on taking Scouts online, for info about different digital platforms you could use and how to stay safe online.
If you’re already linked up with a group, why not plan to take part in JOTA-JOTI together? If you’re looking to link up with a group, find some tips in our International Links guidance.
Try to plan some time to chat or do some activities as a big group. There are usually some online games you can enjoy with other Scouts too.
Here are a few tips to keep your event running smoothly:
- Have some individual or small group activities that can be done at any point, so there’s always something to do.
- You might want to put people in smaller groups, so they can take turns communicating with Scouts around the world.
- Make sure there are enough adults to supervise the radio and online activities, as well as the additional activities.
- Whatever you do, it’s important to make sure it’s done safely. Take a look at the safety information on this page.
Nothing beats first-hand experience. Why not chat to someone who has run a JOTA-JOTI event before for some tips, or visit an existing event with your group instead of running it yourself?
You’ll need a helping hand from someone who holds an amateur radio transmitting licence to set up a JOTA station. This could be a young person, adult volunteer, or a parent/carer.
If you’re using electrical or radio equipment, make sure you get advice from a competent person about how to set up and use it safely. For helpful tips for when you're completing your risk assessment with your team, you can use our example risk assessment for running a JOTA activity.
Many groups get in touch with a local licensed amateur radio station or local amateur radio club, too. You can find out more about Amateur Radio.
You can also get support from the UK JOTA Coordinator. Get in touch with them at jota@scouts.org.uk.
You may be able to get some help from the Amateur Radio Scout Active Support Unit, whether you’re just getting your group together or planning a bigger event. They may be able to help you set up a JOTA station, and if they can’t, they’ll still do their best to support you with advice and guidance. Get in touch with them at AmateurRadio.NSASU@scouts.org.uk
It’s best to give everyone as much notice as possible.
Because only one or two Scouts can go on air at the same time, it’s best to have some other activities on offer, so everyone has something to do. Take a look at our global programme ideas for some ideas.
Did you know...?
- JOTA’s first event was in 1958 – so it’s been running for over 60 years!
- Baden-Powell was an early radio enthusiast. Scouts could earn a Radio Wireless Badge as early as 1923.
- JOTA was joined by JOTI in 1997 and JOTA-JOTI was born.
- It’s the world’s largest virtual Scout event.
- It provides a chance to connect with fellow Scouts from over 172 countries.
- At one JOTA-JOTI, some lucky Scouts from Norfolk made radio contact with the International Space Station!
Stay safe during JOTA-JOTI
As with any activity, use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. We've also got additional help available to carry out your risk assessment, including an example risk assessment for JOTA.
Don’t forget to make sure all young people and adults involved in the activity know how to take part safely.
Take a look at our guidance on staying safe online. Make sure you supervise young people when they’re online and give them advice about staying safe.
If you’re using electrical or radio equipment make sure you get advice from a competent person about how to set up and use it safely.
Make sure there is adult supervision for both the young people taking part and the young people who may be doing activities while waiting to take part.
Find out more about how to be safe during JOTA-JOTI, with information from WOSM.
You can buy fun badges from Scout Store to recognise and celebrate people taking part in JOTA-JOTI.
There's a new badge to collect each year.
From learning morse code for Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) to playing virtual spot the difference for Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI), there are lots of great activities to inspire you.