Scouting
The Boys Scouts of America Radio Merit Badge curriculum was recently revised. A new Radio Merit Badge program was introduced effective January 1, 2009. You can review the new curriculum and the changes to the curriculum on the US Scouting Service Project website and order a new four-color pamphlet with a complete description of the Radio Merit Badge program directly from the BSA online store.
The following resources will provide ideas for Amateur Radio activities. You’ll find resources that are specifically focused on the Boy Scout Merit Badge as well as general activities to engage Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in the exploration of Amateur Radio.
Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) is an international scouting event to promote friendship around the world through Amateur Radio. It engages Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Guides around the world in an annual October Amateur Radio operating event. To learn more and for resources that will help you plan JOTA activities click here.
Merit Badge Resources
- Requirements for the Radio Merit Badge, outlined on the US Scouting Service Project website
- Get Your Radio Merit Badge Day, developed by Gary Wilson, K2GW, Radio Merit Badge Counselor, Mercer Area District, Central New Jersey Council Boy Scouts of America. Includes ideas on how to sell radio to kids, logistics and planning tips, how to organize lessons and activities, visual aids and hand-outs for instruction.
- Merit Badge Projects from ARRL’s Technical Information Service that can be used in connection with the Electronics Merit Badge or for additional exploration of radio alongside the Radio Merit Badge curriculum.
- Boy Scout Trail information page on the Radio Merit Badge
The following resources are now out of date since the Radio Merit Badge curriculum was reorganized January 1. However you may still find them useful.
Informational Articles and Other Resources
- Scout Radio Yahoo Group, a great place to make contact with other counselors, arrange scheduled contacts and share ideas.
- Gary Wilson K2GW has supplied current information about becoming a BSA Merit Badge Counselor.
- For information about ongoing Scout nets as well as JOTA refer to the World Radio Scouting Pages at www.scout.org/jota/.
- Amateur Radio in Scouting & Other Young Peoples Groups, by Mel Goldberg N6MEL. Goldberg relates his experiences and how he promotes Amateur Radio in Scouting and among young people.
- Regulatory rules applying to control operators during operating events and activities involving un-licensed operators can be found in Dan Henderson’s comprehensive FAQ page, Who’s in Control of Your Station?
- Search for listings of other youth groups that want to set up schedules at Youth Skeds.
- Girl Scouts do not have a formal program to guide the study of Amateur Radio. Each local troop may decide on its own area of interest. An example of one concept for a Girl Scout Amateur Radio Patch: A Proposal.
- Rapid RDFing: An Introductory Scouting Activity, by Stan Pozerski, KD1LE
- Printed flyers describing Amateur Radio the Scouting audience to use as hand-outs at Scouting events or other public events are available from ARRL. Please review ordering information at www.arrl.org/brochures/.
- To listen to a recorded satellite contact with Scout Troop 340 in Minden, NV on August 28, 2007 via AO-51 click here. Recording is courtesy of KI6IUC.
- To listen to the contact between Boy Scouts at the Prairielands Council Space Jamboree Camp and Astronaut Clay Anderson on board the International Space Station on October 6, 2007 click here.
- To watch a video of Illini Space Jamboree’s September 13, 2008 contact with Astronaut Gregory Chamitoff KD5PKZ aboard the ISS, click here. The ISS contact was conducted via telebridge and assisted by Nancy Rocheleau WH6PN and Dick Flagg AH6NM from Hawaii, with local set-up by Brian Walker K9BKW. The video was produced by Brian Walker and Austin Walker KC9EVS.
- Scouts often enjoy learning and practicing Morse code. Find tips on learning Morse code and its history on our website. Other resources for Morse code practice include Morse Code for Radio Amateurs, by Roger Cooke, G3LDI and Ham University--Extra and Morse Code Edition. Morse code practice sites can be found on the Web. For the beginner try www.aa9pw.com/radio/morse.html. To increase proficiency: www.rufzxp.net/
- Scouts (BSA and GSA) from around the Midwest enjoy yearly Ham Radio events at Space Jam, www.spacejamboree.com
Scouting Organization Websites
Page last modified: 11:29 AM, 11 Sep 2009 ET
Page author: ead@arrl.org
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