Boy Scouts take on a Virtual Mapathon Challenge
According to a recent press release, the Boy Scouts of America have been participating in what’s referred to as a Virtual Mapathon Challenge (#BSAMapathon). The initiative, which launched on World Red Cross and Red Cresent Day on May 8th, 2020, was created to provide frontline responders with better maps of the most vulnerable communities around the world, and has amassed a large online community.
Michael Walsh, Mate of Programs at the Transatlantic Sea Scouts BSA, tells us that #BSAMapathon promotes learning and advancement in science, technology, engineering and Math (STEM). “In addition, the youth serving on the council will be able to earn community service hours and acquire the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to become future leaders,” said Walsh.
Due to quarantine restrictions, many Scouts have been unable to complete their community service requirements in person. However, this service project promotes community service and thought leadership through humanitarian mapping from the comfort of their homes.
The Scouts use a series of free humanitarian mapping technologies such as, OpenStreetMap and the HOT Tasking Manager. Once the data is collected, they are then able to make edits and contribute them to the Missing Maps Project.
“To complete the challenge, Scouts will need to become proficient in the use of OpenStreetMap and the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team Tasking Manager,” Walsh explains.
The maps being edited show frontline responders the places in a community that are at greater risk of humanitarian crises like COVID-19 and Ebola. The initiative, #BSAMapathon, has already contributed over 1,800 to the Missing Maps Project covering over 1,400 buildings and 130 kilometers of roads across Asia, Africa and the Pacific.
Several other branches of Scouts including the Scouts from the Aloha and Transatlantic Council have led the way by contributing over 450 and 650 edits in their first two weeks.
This initiative is instilling Scouts with practical skills like using a compass, reading maps and navigational charts for their outdoors activities. Dr. Jose Lepervanche, Commodore of the Transatlantic Sea Scouts BSA stated, “In addition, their mapping service is one of the essential values of all Scouts, service to communities in need.”
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