November 2006


Supporting a small city of 8,000 Scouts for massive jamboree

Nortel tech guru looks for a "solution"

When Rod Wilson travels the world to promote Nortel technology, his mind is never far away from another vocation - scouting - and these days, it's a bit of a technology challenge.

Nortel's globe trotting Director of Advanced Technology Research is also Area Commissioner, Rideau Area Scouting with Scouts Canada, and he has been involved in scouting for many years.

The "technology solution" that is challenging Rod is how to bring high speed Internet connectivity to 8,000 Scouts and their leaders in the remote Quebec wilderness next summer, when Scouts from all across Canada gather for the 11th National Scout Jamboree as they celebrate Scouting's centennial.

Nothing less than a small city will spring up at Camp Tamaracouta, in Mille Isles, Quebec next July, leading up to Canadian Jamboree (CJ '07), July 25 to August 1.

It is part of the world celebrations of Scouting's 100th anniversary and includes a "sunrise" ceremony performed around the globe with participation drawn from over 28 million Scouts in 155 countries.

One of the logistical challenges is deploying the communications technology needed to support the event. "We are exploring how to create an Internet-capable back office to support the Jamboree," says Rod, who is working with a team to work out the technical requirements for the event. "Right now we have a treed wilderness site with no power, no data connectivity, and other than the camp office telephones, no voice communications."

It is no small feat. The challenge involves bringing broadband connectivity to the site, located in the lower Laurentians approximately one hour north of Montreal, and deploying wireless connectivity over 1,000 acres, with decentralized locations and possible Internet cafes, all hooking back to the main Camp buildings, and beyond via the Internet.

Rod and the team expect to finalize details of the Jamboree's technology requirements and plans soon.

"Scouting is moving into its second century and this is very important to the success of our Jamboree," says Rod, who is volunteering his particular expertise in this field to help make all the plans come together.

Safety and logistic planning requirements aside, Scouts need the connectivity for their own e-mail, web-cams and blogs. Some will have signed up to report back to their home town newspapers during the Jamboree and need to file reports electronically.



Scouts has always been at the forefront in using and adapting to new technologies, but people are still surprised when they find out Scouts today routinely earn a "Computer" challenge badge.

That's old news. Scouts have been earning computer merit badges for years. Scouts earn the badge by achieving a series of challenges that can range from using graphics programs to design camp sites, to more advanced programming assignments. The challenge also deals with issues of Internet safety and ethics.

Scouting has moved beyond that and now embraces the use of GPS devices, for example, as part of orienteering activities. "Geocaching" is also popular, and is an exciting activity that combines the fun of a scavenger hunt with outdoor backwoods navigation and computer internet skills.

Jennifer Austin, Director of Communications for Scouts Canada, can point to the first use of a personal computer - IBM PCs - at a Canadian Jamboree in Guelph in 1985, as a demonstration.

Scouting's relationship with technology goes back to the beginning of the movement. An irony not lost on Scouts today is that the first "Wireless" challenge badge was introduced in 1919. It was phased out for the new fangled "radio" badge in 1923.

Using and adapting to new technology continues.

In 2004 the Canadian Space Agency signed an MOU with Scouts Canada to improve scientific literacy among students and educators; encourage youth to pursue careers in science and engineering; and promote awareness of the importance of science and technology in Canada's future.

Scouts Canada has launched its own blog to help raise awareness and broadcast information on the CJ '07 and other events and activities. Scout troops maintain their own sites and run discussion forums.

CJ '07 also has its own cool mascot, Toucs, who has been made available in various digital formats to help Scouts and supporters in promoting the Jamboree.

Official centennial celebrations get started with a gala celebration at the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau on Feb. 24, 2007. Prominent Canadians will mingle with Scouting volunteers and youth to celebrate the centennial at a unique and glittering fundraiser.

Parades, campouts, ceremonies and contests are being planned throughout the country, leading up to the Jamboree event.

Lean more about Scouting today and how it is making use of technology to address new challenges, including the protection of environment, by visiting www.scouts.ca.

You can read Toucs' blog at www.scouts.ca/cj07/blog.shtml.

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