***   Date of Last Update: 23 December 2008   ***

The Jamboree on the Trail is an international Scouting event in which Scouts from all over the world take part in a hike on the same day. The actual hike itself is organized at Group level, the only detail set internationally is the date. The idea was developed by Canadian Scouters in 1997 and the first JOTT took place on 25th April 1998, attracting 24,000 participants. It quickly caught on and is now an annual event with over 30,000 people participating in recent years.

Below you can read reports on 2nd Norbiton's participation in JOTT.

JOTT 2002 - 11th May 2002

We chose Ranmore Common, near Dorking, for our first participation in the Jamboree on the Trail. We opened the walk to all members of the Group and drew a modest turnout of 16, including a 'Beaver', Cubs, Scouts, a Venture, a Guide and an impressive contingent of parents. The walk took us along the wooded paths, through fields of bluebells, past farms and cottages and over fallen trees, before we reached a clearing for lunch.

 After a pleasant picnic, the more energetic of us proceeded to play football and a vigorous game of manhunt. Once lunch was over we proceeded south to join the North Downs Way. We followed it back to the car park, stopping briefly to admire the views of Dorking. Once making it back to the car park there was relief to find the ice cream van was still there.

JOTT 2003 - 10th May 2003

Sticking with Ranmore Common we returned in 2003 with a slightly larger group than last year of 19. We took a slightly different route than the previous year at the start before rejoining the original route for lunch. During the lunch break there was once again a variety of games going on as well as consuming plenty of food. We then proceeded towards the North Downs Way, again by a slightly different route.

There was the usual delight with the realisation that the ice cream van was in the car park again. This year the walk was made a sponsored event to raise money for Group funds. Thanks largely to the efforts of Roger and Janet Howard we raised over £600. Once again it was a fin day out for everyone involved.