TRAIL MIX: A Program Feature to pack in your Resource Rucksack

JODIE CHILVERS (she/her) | AUSTRALIAN GUIDE PROGRAM (AGP) LEAD | agplead@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au

Each month, we’re shining a light on a different Program resource—from Guiding in Australia and across the globe. Whether it’s a badge activity, a clever planning tool, or a fresh idea to energise your next meeting, this feature is here to inspire, support and add a little something extra to your Unit’s program. Think of it as your monthly dose of practical Guiding goodness—ready to pack into your Leader kit!

JOTA-JOTI Prep Challenge: Tune In & Link up.

GUIDING FUNDAMENTALS: World Guiding, Guiding Traditions & Patrol System

Planning to join JOTA-JOTI or just curious about what it's all about?

Whether you’re attending the event or exploring it from your local meeting, there are plenty of fun and meaningful activities you can try—before, during, or even without access to a JOTA-JOTI station. These activities will help Guides understand a little about what JOTA-JOTI is about, practice communication and etiquette to build global friendships.

What is JOTA-JOTI?

• What does JOTA and JOTI stand for? What is the difference?

• When is JOTA-JOTI held?

• What year was the first JOTA event?

• What year was JOTA joined by JOTI?

• What is the theme of this year’s event?

• Who can participate and how many countries take part in this event?

• True or False? JOTA-JOTI is the world’s largest digital and radio event?

Communicating Safely

When joining JOTA-JOTI or just being online, it’s important to communicate safely and respectfully— whether you’re chatting online or speaking over the radio. Always use kind and friendly language, take turns when talking, and avoid sharing personal details like your full name, address, or school. On the radio, speak clearly and wait for a response before continuing.

Preparing To Communicate Online

Before joining a JOTA-JOTI conversation, it helps to have a few things prepared so you can confidently introduce yourself and keep the conversation flowing. Here are some great ways to get started:

• Create a short bio - Include your name, where you live, and what you enjoy doing in your free time.

• Share your Guiding story - Talk about your unit and where you are located, the activities you’ve done, and what makes Guiding special to you.

• Prepare a question list - Think about what you’d like to ask another Guide or Scout—things like their favourite camp memory, what their uniform looks like, or what traditions they have.

• Practice sharing aloud - Present your bio and questions to your patrol or unit. Remember to speak clearly, use a strong voice, and take your time so everyone can understand you.

Activities To Practice Communication

Communicating on the radio means you cannot see the person you are talking with. Practice some clear and concise communicating skills.

Activity: Blind communication.

Two team members facing away from each other.

• Each need a paper and pen.

• Team member one draws image of an object.

• Team member one must then describe that image to team member two who will draw what is described to them.

• Compare the drawings at the end.

Activity: Role Play

Role play a radio conversation using walkie-talkie lingo to simulate radio etiquette and timing or set up a mock radio station with a ‘broadcast booth’ where Guides take turns being announcers, weather reporters or a DJ.

Activity: Hide & Seek

Give the age-old game a modern update by using two-way radios to upgrade your hiding (and seeking!).

• One person (or an item) is hidden, the rest of the patrol uses two-way radios to communicate with one another and cover different locations and areas – using the radios to let the rest of the patrol what you have checked. Instead of playing the game as individuals, using radios allows a Patrol to help one another search for the hidden person (or item).

• You could have two Patrols working at the same time (depending on the number of radios available) to find the person (or item) the quickest.

Activity: Scavenger Hunts

Make your scavenger hunts much more fun by using two-way radios to give your Patrols clues. Once the patrol finds a hidden item, the leader can use the twoway radio to read them the clues that will lead them to the next item. If you prefer to still use written clues, the radios can be used to ask questions or get hints about solving the riddle.

Learning The Phonetic Alphabet

The phonetic alphabet is a standardized set of words used to represent each letter of the alphabet. It’s used in radio and voice communication to make sure letters are clearly understood, especially when signals are weak or accents vary. Saying “Delta” instead of just “D” helps avoid confusion with similar sounding letters like “B” or “E.”

Activity: Phonetic Alphabet Dash

Guides begin at one end of the Hall. A caller announces a mix of correct and incorrect phonetic alphabet words. If a Guide believes the word is part of the official phonetic alphabet, they take a step forward. If it’s not, they step back. The first Guide to reach the opposite side of the Hall wins! For a list of phonetic alphabet words, check out his link: Phonetic Alphabet Game.

Activity: Phonetic Alphabet Around the Circle

Guides stand in a circle. Starting with the first person, each Guide says the next word in the phonetic alphabet—“Alpha,” “Bravo,” “Charlie,” and so on. If someone says the wrong word or hesitates too long, they sit down. The game continues until one Guide remains standing—they’re the Phonetic Champion!

* Variation : Pass or toss a ball around the circle. Each time a Guide catches the ball, they must say the next phonetic word in sequence. If they get it wrong, they sit down or step out. Keep going until the full alphabet is completed or only one Guide remains.

Activity: Phonetic Scavenger Hunt

Create clues using the phonetic alphabet for Guides to find items in your meeting space - eg “Blue Bin” becomes “Bravo Lima Uniform Echo – Bravo India November”. For older Guides, don’t write the clues but rather have a caller yell them out. This activity can be done in teams or individually.

Build an (in) destructible Data Resource

Work in teams to design and build a protective container that will keep an important message safe from a series of tough challenges. The goal is to test creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills under pressure!

Materials: Use a variety of materials (including recycled materials) to build your container. These may include -egg cartons, cardboard, straws, bubble wrap, newspaper, shopping bags, zip-lock bags, string, sticky tape, paper and pens for your message. Feel free to mix and match materials to whatever you have in your hall to create the most secure design possible!

Write a message and build a container. Once the container is built, it will be put to the test as the message must survive one or more of the following:

• A splash test: throw a cup of water over it (or dunk it in a bucket for extra difficulty)

• A drop test: release it from a height

• A slice test: attempt to cut through it with scissors

• A heat test: briefly hold it over a candle (or place it near a campfire for a tougher trial)

After each test—or once all tests are complete— open your container and check if the message is still intact and readable.

Communicating Using The Internet

Internet Fun Facts

• First email was sent in 1971

• There are more connected devices than people

• The search engine was originally nicknamed “Backrub” before settling on the name Google.

• Google, YouTube Facebook, Wikipedia and Instagram are the most popular websites globally

• Emailing is the most common online activity, followed by instant messaging, and social networking

• Internet users spend an average of 6 hours and 42 minutes online every day

Activities: Virtual Trips & Escape Rooms

If your Unit has access to the internet, explore online by finding a virtual trip or digital escape room to enjoy together. These activities are a great way to build teamwork and problem-solving skills—just remember to choose child-friendly websites that are safe and appropriate for your group.

Activity: Lay it Out

How well do you know the QWERTY keyboard?

Using an old keyboard, remove all the keys. Have the Guides correctly replace all of the keys on the keyboard as quickly as possible. If you don’t have an old keyboard print out a blank and filled keyboard template and cutout the keys for the activity. Here is a link to an online keyboard-template.

Further Resources

Get Going with JOTIAGINFO-22-2025-JOTA-JOTI-2025.pdfOnline safety posters and conversation starters | eSafety CommissionerIntroducing... Cyber A.C.E.S.Surf Smart 2.0How to Make a Crystal Radio - WikiHow