Scouts walk 70,000km for the planet during JOTA-JOTI 2024
More than 6,000 Scouts around the globe grabbed their boots and water bottles and braved the outdoors to take part in Hike the Planet, a new activity launched for JOTA-JOTI 2024 that strengthens young people’s commitment to environmental action, conservation, and protection. Over the JOTA-JOTI weekend, Scouts from 82 countries logged a staggering 70,000 kilometres - almost doubling the collective target of walking the circumference of the Earth!
In Vietnam, Scouts aged 11-12 added extra thrills to their hike by holding it in Ruc Mon, a cave system located on the border with Laos, where they trekked past towering limestone formations to swam in underground rivers. Meanwhile, Scouts in the Philippines organised a trek and tree-planting event in the Quirino province. Also in the spirit of environmental action, more than 700 Scouts in Portugal gathered to make a positive impact on the beaches of Norte and Santo António in Costa da Caparica. Working together with the Oceano Azul Foundation, One Piece After Another, and the Municipality of Almada, they successfully removed 620 kilograms of waste from the beaches, preventing it from reaching the ocean.
By recording individual walking milestones as part of a shared mission to hike around the world, the Hike the Planet activity illustrated how Scouting can inspire and empower young people to be stewards of eco-friendly habits and engage with the environment.
Hike the Planet is just one of the many activities developed by World Scouting, Scouts, and partners around the globe. These initiatives empower young people to take action aimed at minimising the adverse effects of climate change by understanding how human actions impact nature.
In addition to trekking and connecting with nature, Scouts got involved through interactive challenges featured in JOTA-JOTI’s activity hub. These included learning to cook meals using solar energy, understanding how windmills generate energy, and even creating solar-powered art.
JOTA-JOTI brought the mix of fun and learning by offering physical and online games that introduced Scouts to sustainable concepts and practices. Among them were the Energy Memory Game and Earth Charades, which challenged Scouts to think sustainably, while Minecraft interactive activities sparked creativity with Scouts tasked with reimagining and repurposing designs to promote recycling.
Another highlight was a webinar on Scout Centres of Excellence for Nature, Environment, and Sustainability, also known as SCENES, which have been promoting environmental education and sustainable management since the 1990s. With nearly 40 facilities located across four Scout Regions, SCENES encourage Scouts to engage with nature and learn about eco-friendly practices while fostering deeper commitments to environmental stewardship.
JOTA-JOTI, short for Jamboree-on-the-Air and Jamboree-on-the-Internet, is one Scouting’s most anticipated global events. More than just connecting Scouts through amateur radio and the Internet, this annual event allows Scouts of all ages to engage remotely while gaining valuable insights into their role in protecting the planet. With a variety of fun and interactive challenges, the event combines enjoyment with enriching and meaningful learning experiences.
None of these activities would be possible without the support of Accenture. World Scouting has partnered with Accenture to develop a new online platform for JOTA-JOTI, elevating the experience for Scouts around the world.
While JOTA-JOTI may be over for 2024, World Scouting remains committed to scaling up efforts towards raising awareness of environmental conservation. Scouts also doing their part as leaders in sustainability and climate action, joining in global programmes like the Earth Tribe and Scouts for SDGs to address major global challenges and work on achieving sustainable development in their local communities.
Check out the Hike the Planet dashboard here.
