International Scouting offers a world of opportunity. Whether you’re looking for an international adventure or want to find out more about how to hold an international event in your council, contact Dave Shelburne.

Jamboree On The Internet (JOTI)

JOTI is held the third weekend in October, and is an event that provides the opportunity for Scouts to talk or email other Scouts all over the world. JOTI a lot of fun, and participation is one of the requirements to earn the International Spirit Award. Imagine emailing a Scout in Australia, or saying Hola! to a Cub Scout in Spain! 

Learn More       JOTI 

Jamboree On The Air (JOTA)

Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA) is an annual Scouting event that uses amateur radio to link Scouts around the world, around the nation, and in your own community. Held on the third full weekend of October each year, this worldwide jamboree requires no travel, other than to a nearby radio amateur’s ham shack. Many times the hams will agree to set up at a Scout event. There are many ways to get your Scouts involved in JOTA.

JOTA      

International Peace Light Ceremony

The Peace Light is a flame that is lit in Austria and is transferred and shared in communities during a pilgrimage across the world via volunteers, many of whom are Scouts and Scouters, and is meant to promote peace, harmony, and unity among all people of the world regardless of race, ethnicity or creed. Many churches, Scouting, and associated community organizations use the Peace Light in worship services, tree lighting events, and other special ceremonies. 

Each year in late November, a child from Austria lights a lantern from the continuously burning candle in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the site of Jesus birth. The light, known as the Peace Light, stored in special explosion-proof lanterns, is then flown with a safety adviser back to Vienna, Austria, where it is shared with delegations from across Europe who distribute it with a message of Peace to their own countries for use at ecumenical services. Scouting organizations then take the light to houses of worship, hospitals, homeless shelters, nursing homes, and places of public, cultural and political importance - to anyone who appreciates the significance of the gift.

In early December, representatives transport the Peace Light from Austria to New York City. A distribution ceremony of about 150 adults and children gather at the airport to welcome the light of peace and kindle their own flames. Many other dedicated volunteers meet, share, and move the Light across North America, person-to-person, coast-to-coast. The Peace Light is a sign of hope. It has expanded from a small flame to a sea of lights in a few years and shines with its message to millions of people worldwide. See the Path of Light across North America. The flame typically reaches Houston in mid-December.  

The International Spirit Award is for youth and adult leaders who award seeks to broaden knowledge of international Scouting and increase appreciation and awareness of different cultures and countries.

The International Scouter's Award encourages Scouters to broaden their involvement in Scouting through participation in world Scouting activities and recognizes Scouters for their contributions to world Scouting.

The Messengers of Peace Award is to recognize Scouts and Scouters who participate in a Messengers of Peace project (service project). A global service project program carried out by Scouts throughout the world. This prestigious "MoP Ring Patch" is earned by completing a service project that meets the criteria. 

The World Conservation Award is to encourage all youth members to think globally and act locally to preserve and improve our environment. Involves advancement and project work and can be earned by Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA and Venturers.

The World Crest is an emblem of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, and may be worn by all registered youth members and adult leaders as a symbol of their membership in a worldwide Scouting brotherhood. A small amount from the sale of each emblem is sent to the World Scout Foundation to help extend Scouting in developing nations throughout the world. This adds an opportunity for each Scout to personally share indirectly in the activities of brother Scouts in other lands. The emblem is worn as a permanent patch centered horizontally over the left pocket and vertically between the left shoulder seam and the top of the pocket.      

Interpreter strips may be worn by Scouts and Scouters who can carry on a conversation in a foreign language or in sign language, write a letter in the foreign language (not required for signing), and translate orally and in writing from one language to another.

• Messengers of Peace is a global initiative designed to inspire millions of young men and women in more than 220 countries and territories to work toward peace. Using state-of-the-art social media, the initiative lets Scouts from around the world share what they’ve done and inspire fellow Scouts to undertake similar efforts in their own communities. .
• World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) is a federation of more than 160 recognized national Scout organizations.
• BSA's International website
• BSA Resources