Sorry, no report. If you have photos that you would like posted here, please send them.
JOTT 2002 Report
Compiled by Dave Wiebe.
Jamboree On The Trail 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. JOTT is held on the second Saturday of May each year.
Jamboree on the Trail has been in existence for five years. The next one will be Saturday, May 10th 2003. The vent can be used as a Group environmental day or as a linking activity like we do at my group, the 40th St Catharines, in Ontario, Canada. The Colony and Pack go hiking with the Troop and Company and get to spend the day out at camp. Even our Leader’s get a little exercise.
Toronto, Canada
Twelve Cubs from the 65th Toronto Pack and another from the 3rd Toronto Pack, along with five leaders, hiked about nine kilometres along the Tommy Thompson Trail by the Humber River in Toronto. The outing included a Trail Bingo game and some stories about Hurricane Hazel and other history of the area. A fine time was had by all, ending in a Grand Howl and the award of the crests.
9th Abingdon Beaver Scouts
We had a really good walk in the bluebell wood (approximately 3 miles) with our Beavers this year — also dragged the rainbow Guides along too. During the walk the Rainbows presented a woodland seat and the Beavers nine Oak Saplings they had grown from acorns to the local councillor. Pictures were taken for the local press, so hopefully will raise a bit more awareness of the event for next year.
Mt Arawang, Canberra Nature Parks, Australian Capital Territory
The Tiwi Cub Pack from Badimara Group walked up Mount Arawang (765 m above sea level) at the back of Chapman on Saturday. We then walked along Cooleman Ridge, which is in the Canberra Nature Park. The Cubs were very interested in the water tower that they discovered. They had some interesting thoughts as to how the reservoir was filled with water and for whom the water was intended. They were also interested in the graffiti on the tower. In fact it was very artistic. A few of the Cubs, who did not race on ahead, were lucky enough to see kangaroos, wallabies and a joey. The views from the top were magnificent – on one side you looked over the Tuggeranong Valley, on the other side you looked back over Woden towards the city. The tripod and flag on the top of new Parliament House was visible as well as the fountain. The eight cubs and two leaders who went on this walk really enjoyed the afternoon in the sun.
2nd Grande Prairie Cubs, Canada
The scouts hiked into our camp on Friday evening and spent two nights camped out over the JOTT weekend. The Beavers and Cubs hiked in on the Saturday, and spent the day hiking and partaking in various activities. (It was a full day from 0900-1600, and we had some very, very tired youth by the end of the day!)
After a mass opening ceremony and breaking of the flags, all youth attended a “MAGIC Show”. Beavers, Cubs and Scouts then separated and spent the day on age appropriate hikes and activities. One of the Cub activities was “Tree Growth Rings”. We had a forestry educator come out to spend time with us discussing her “Tree Cookies” We also did a habitat hike with another forestry educator (Candace Boyne – no pictures!), and a “What to do if lost in the woods” segment hosted by Technical Search & Rescue. As you can see we tied this into a lot of badge and star work. At the end of the event, we handed out slips of paper to the leaders indicating which badge requirements were covered during the day-long event. Lots of hungry kids to feed.
Remember that events like these can’t happen with out the fantastic volunteers around the world who bring this together and make it possible.
Troop 626, San Diego, California, USA
Submitted by Thom Holland.
This year we used the hike as part of our Spring Roundup. We invited any and all Webelos to join us on our hike up Iron Mountain to complete their requirement to visit a troop activity for their Arrow of Light award. The entire hike was about 6 miles, 3 miles up to the top of Iron Mountain. It was a beautiful, clear and cool morning. Each of our scouts took charge of Webelos den and lead them to the top. The hike went through the chaparral that is common to our area and then half way up you turn the corner and there is a spectacular view of San Diego County, all the way to the ocean. Once you reach the top, you can see all the way from the Mexican border to Camp Pendleton Marine Corp Base.
The scouts loved the hike and many of the adults considered it a personal best just the make it to the top. One scouter was calling all of her friends that she had made it. Someone placed a mail box up there where you can enter a quick paragraph in a notebook. When all of us returned to the trail head, our Committee Chair had hot dogs, chips and ice cold sodas waiting for us. It was a very successful hike and recruitment outing. At the end, many of the boys and Scouters said that they were ready to join our troop that day. It is now February and about 1/3 of the cubs there that day have either crossed over into our troop or have made the commitment.
JOTT 2001 Report
Compiled by Dave Wiebe
The fourth annual Jamboree on the Trail was a success and we are looking forward to JOTT 2002. JOTT 2001 took place on May 12th, and had participation from over 30,000 members of the Scouting Family around the world. The following are some JOTT 2001 stories.
Cub Scout Pack 748, Medway, Massachusetts, USA
We meet at Purgatory Chasm State Reservation for our Cub Scout Pack JOTT Hike. The park is in central Massachusetts in the town of Sutton. The chasm is thought to have formed by a sudden release of dammed-up glacial melt water about 14,000 years ago. This event created a deep rift in the local granite with vertical walls rising to 70 feet. The floor of the chasm is littered with large boulders piled up on each other creating caves between the blocks of rock. The caves are a great place to explore with a flashlight. After hiking through the chasm, we returned to the park entrance along the cliff-top trail. A picnic lunch was followed by more exploration of the park trails.
9th Powell River Venturers, British Columbia, Canada
Our district Scout Camporee once again coincided with JOTT so we included a JOTT hike as one of the scheduled activities. We are a very small district with only two troops, so we invited troops from other districts in our region as well as some in an adjoining region. We ended up with a total of over 80 Scouts and about 30 Scouters from 9 troops.
Our camp theme was ‘Robin Hood’ so our hike became a ‘Hike through Sherwood Forest’. We paired this activity up with canoeing which was held at a nearby lake. There is a trail connecting the two, so this became our hike. It was a brisk 1.5 hour hike through the woods with a lot of up and down hills. We arranged it so that one group was driven into the canoeing first thing in the morning while a second group hiked in. At mid morning, the hikers arrived at the lake for their canoeing session (after which they were driven back out for lunch) while the first group hiked the trail back to the camp. The other two groups did the same after lunch.
The weather was beautiful the whole weekend and everyone had a great time. The trail is very scenic and (in spite of the large groups) several people spotted birds, squirrels, etc. Everyone liked having the JOTT hike included in the Camporee and as many were from out of town, they were hiking a trail that they hadn’t visited before.
Jamboree On The Trail is the only international annual event for every member of the Scouting family; Scouts of all ages and all sorts. It is an ideal opportunity to come together in spirit with Scouts all over the world and to promote the world-wide aspect of this growing Movement.
JOTT 2000 Report
Compiled by Dave Wiebe
The third annual Jamboree on the Trail was a success and we are looking forward to JOTT 2001. JOTT 2000 took place on May 13th, and had participation from over 30,000 members of the Scouting Family around the world. The following are some JOTT 2000 stories.
1st Pentrebane & 1st St. Fagans Cub Pack, United Kingdom
We had a brilliant day. We started out at 9 o’clock in the morning with 50 Cubs, 5 Scouts and 6 Scouters. We also had a child with cerebral palsy in a wheelchair. All were raring to go! We started in a place called Welsh St. Donats (near Cardiff). We hiked for 2 miles in the morning. The hike included orienteering and tracking. We stopped for a barbecue for lunch and then carried on the hike for 1.5 miles more. It was a very successful day and all look forward to doing it again next year on a bigger scale.
Pack 614, Murrieta, California, USA
Our hike took place in the beautiful Mojave National Preserve. Cub Scouts and their families drove a little over 450 miles round trip to take part in our campout/hike/service project.
Our group of 4 Scouts (3 Webelos, 1 Wolf) and 4 adult leaders met Park Rangers at the base of the Teutonia Peak Trail in the NW part of the preserve and set out, tools in hand, to groom a section strewn with loose rock. The first mile and a half is relatively flat, over soft sandy soil. Our group enjoyed a beautiful display of wildflower and cactus blooms before beginning the last half of the hike, which rises up over 600 feet to Teutonia Peak (elevation 5,643′ (1690 m)). We watched four hawks riding thermal currents over the peak, and spent some time exploring the interesting nooks and crannies in the decomposing granite boulders at the summit. Then it was time for work!
Scouts and leaders cleared most of the rising section of the trail, removing loose rocks, digging out stones that might trip weary hikers, and marking the trail boundaries more clearly. Previously, some sections of the trail were indistinguishable from the surrounding landscape were it not for frequent stone cairns built along its course. The trail is now much more navigable. Hikers are less likely to stray into the fragile surrounding habitat and the trail is definitely safer than before. A Tiger Cub joined us for the flat section of the return hike. We concluded with a presentation by park staff on the preserve itself, and one of its endangered residents, the desert tortoise.
We were blessed with a beautiful day for our project, with a slight breeze and scattered clouds moderating temperatures in the low 80’s (high 20s Celsius). Park Rangers have invited us to return twice annually, in the fall and spring. Families responded positively enough that we will probably make this a traditional twice-annual event for our Pack, even though it was so distant.
1st South Peace Scout Group, Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada
I was waiting for the final tally of all the Sections that participated. Our Scouts travelled to another province and did their “Jamboree On The Trail” during their camp there. Our Cubs did it during a large regional “Cuboree”, and our Beavers did it during a day-camp. Our weather put quite a twist on the whole event. Although we are rather northerly, even here we don’t expect winter like weather in May. But winter-like weather is what we got! The wet snow was collapsing tents, and the precipitation was being driven horizontally by high winds, making a joke out of the fly’s. Well, our youth certainly did earn their JOTT crests this year and some winter camping experience in May!
28th Ipswich Sea Scouts, Suffolk, United Kingdom
Well, mention a hike to my scouts and they would run. This meant that in order for them to take place in JOTT as I had hoped the hike had to be disguised and an element of competition added. (If there is a prize up for grabs my scouts will do anything!!!)
The activity we laid on was an on foot chase. This involved myself and another leader setting off in front of the scouts and they had to try and catch us up. To add more interest everyone had to walk north and at the halfway point turn round and only walk south. This needed careful navigation.
The event went well with both groups ending back where they started although the first group covered a much greater distance then the second.
Troop 21, Gouverneur, New York, USA
The first JOTT in Northern New York! We started at 8am with 15 Scouts and 9 Scouters doing the whole 10-mile course. At the 5-mile mark we were joined by 6 Webelos scouts and 2 more scouters doing the second 5-mile loop. Finally with 2 miles to go, 18 Cubs, 15 Scouters, 14 Girl Scouts, and 6 Girl Scouters joined us as well. We completed the Walk at 12 noon under a warm sky were we posed for a group picture. The rain held off until after we were finished. It was a glorious day here in Northern New York, Saint Lawrence County. We are all looking forward to 2001 and making it a bigger event.
25th Assumption Group in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
Our Beaver Colony ended up at a Fun Day put on by the District so combined that with JOTT. Our Cub Pack decided to hike along some trails at a local Nature Park and help the staff do a clean up of the trails. We had 8 in the group and all turned out. It was a perfect day. We ended up with three garbage bags full as well as many large pieces of metal. The Cubs were amazed by the amount we found as the trail didn’t look that dirty. We had lunch and presented crests at the end of the morning. We had originally thought about giving the Cub that collected the most garbage a hiking staff medallion but they ended up working so well together and helped each other out so much we had to change plans. We had licorice for a treat and the youth that ended up with the “short” piece lucked out and received the medallion. We also presented the park staff member that had to haul away our garbage with a crest to say thanks. The Cubs are all quite excited about next years JOTT which is what we hoped would happen.
JOTT 1999 Report
By Dave Wiebe
The second annual Jamboree on the Trail was a success and we are looking forward to JOTT 2000. JOTT 1999 took place on May 15th, and had participation from over 30,000 members of the Scouting Family around the world. The following are some JOTT 1999 stories.
2nd Trinity Scout Troop, Ontario, Canada
Our plan for the day was to hike from Nipigon, Ontario to Red Rock, Ontario and back. The hike is about 17 km. It was an excellent day! The first part of the hike was along a well groomed trail beside the Nipigon River. We learned that the Nipigon river was once an important logging route. We also learned that Coeur-de-bois and Voyageurs frequented this river during the height of the fur trade. The most remarkable fact about this stretch is that aboriginal people carved pictographs on some of the cliffs that border the river. The area is relatively unspoiled. There are lots of different types of trees and wildlife along the trail. We saw wild rabbits, a mink, squirrels, chipmunks, several types of birds and mallard ducks. We also saw evidence of several small mammals (skunks, snakes, etc.) along the way.
SMU Scoutgroup, Uppsala, Sweden
Our patrol of five (aged 16-18) ended a four day Scout project with a walk to the point there we would meet 3 other scout patrols. We just walked around 6 kilometers with all the project equipment (25 kilo each). With no path to walk on, we got rather tired. We walked along a lake-system. The lake was surrounded by cliffs and we walked between 3-10 meters above the lake. The nature was very beautiful and it was a new experience to walk without a path to lead the way. The weather was great, maybe a little too warm. Because I walked with shorts my legs are full with marks.
1st South Peace Scout Group, British Columbia, Canada
1st South Peace Beavers, Scouts, and Ventures teamed up with other local community groups in Dawson Creek to participate in our City’s annual park clean-up (The Cubs participated at their camp that weekend). The Beavers hiked around Kin Park, a natural park in the middle of Dawson Creek. The park surrounds a lovely creek. During the hike the sun came out and the wind stilled, and our Beavers spent longer outside than what we originally planned. We really enjoyed the hike, which took place to the accompaniment of the most wonderful spring bird-song. We collected many bags of trash. After the hike our group met with other community groups to enjoy an outdoor BBQ. The BBQ put on by the Rotary Club, for all groups helping with the clean-up.
7th Preston Scout Group Preston, Lancashire, England
Although we started organizing late, the whole Group got involved in this year’s JOTT. The Beaver Scouts decided to walk in the morning and meet the Cubs and Scouts at midday where the Cubs and Scouts would carry on the walk after having the JOTT baton passed on. We had a total of 32 people walking and 1 dog plus various mascots.
The Beavers met at Guttridge Memorial Church, our normal meeting place, and were taken to a local park by minibus where they set off along the side of the river Ribble. Their route took them along the river a short way, where they crossed over on the old Tram Bridge, walked out along a track where Trams used to take goods out of Preston to neighboring areas. A left turn took them past the local sewerage works back to the river. A short game of football before passing the baton onto the Cubs and finishing off at MacDonalds where they went to get milkshakes and ice creams. Along the way they played I Spy and checked out the local nature.
The Cubs and Scouts took on the baton at midday from the Beaver Scouts and walked out the old railway line heading away from Preston. Their route took them a couple of miles out of Preston when we had to cross over a main road. The path then took us deep into local woods, slipping and sliding on the mud, jumping in puddles, testing them to see how deep they were. Eventually, we escaped the woods to attempt to cross another busy road. Cheers went up as MacDonalds was sighted and everyone double timed it to get in their order of happy meals. MacDonalds are doing Teenie Beanie Baby’s at the moment. Babies were flying everywhere.
Although we didn’t cover a great distance, everyone had a good day, made new friends across the sections. An important link in the chain between Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts was improved. Of course it all gave the Scouts yet another item for their Outdoors ’99 Awards.
1st Cole Harbor, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
Jamboree on the Trail has a very fond place in my heart, being one of the originating Hike Co-chiefs. Yearly I take great pride and excitement in preparing and planning the event. For the second annual JOTT our co-ed Scout Group attacked the Musquodoboit Harbor Trail System. Our Colony of 5, Pack of 17, and Troop of 15 left early Saturday morning for a memorable adventure. We returned to the same place as we celebrated JOTT 1998. The weather cooperated with a nice breeze and sunny weather.
We left our School Parking lot and headed East to Musquodoboit Harbor. Our Scouts wanted to Paddle! Our Cubs wanted to camp in Tents! Our Beavers just wanted to GO! The Scout Troop laden with gear paddled the river into the abandoned Scout campsite. The Pack and Colony humped along the trail system from the historic Train Museum along the newly Trans Canada Trail to the site. The Scouts made good time…look they already have lean too’s up! No, it’s Woodlawn Scout Group. Wonderful!
The day was like no other. Campfire on the beach along the lake, tents spread out in the treed area, and Mosquitoes galore! Everyone had turns in the canoes paddling and retrieving gear from the trailer on the other side of the lake. The spring was flourishing with wildflower and critters and the owls and loons serenaded us all night. Night game invitation from Woodlawn and off they went. The Pack took to the woods for their version of capture the hill. Mug Up and stories and off in the morning for an exciting trip home.
Pack 468, Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States of America
Pack 468 is a Cub Scout unit within the Seneca District of the National Capital Area Council. There were 37 Cub Scouts from our pack involved in one of our two JOTT hikes. They were accompanied by 18 Scouters. In addition, we were joined by 12 Girl Scouts and their Scouters.
The two hikes mentioned were organized and conducted as spring is a time of many competing activities. With the number of Scouts involved in soccer, baseball, and such we realized that a morning-only or afternoon-only event would not make participation possible for all the scouts who wanted to be involved.
A morning hike was held in the area of Lake Marion, Montgomery Village. The hike included emphasis on the local vegetation, the impact of the man-made lake on the housing in the area, the impact of the housing on the lake, and an on-site observation of downstream stream bed erosion of Fox Kit Creek. The kids had a ball being able to crawl all over the stream banks and the exposed bedrock below the stream, and actually enjoyed cleaning up trash along the banks.
An afternoon hike was held at the Izaak Walton League Natural Resource area. The group hiked several miles over existing trails through the area, observed some Boy Scouts in their camp site, and received explanations on the practical conservation and pollution control needs for the man-made lakes in the area. The highlight for the kids was the rock throwing for distance into the lake competition and the volley throw of forty people at once.
In the spirit of Scouting we all came together and truly enjoyed the experience. Also enjoyed the opportunity to share the trail with so many other scouts in so many other countries.