[KL7AA] FW: Ham Scouts

[John E Lynn Jr]

I am passing this along to the reflector, 
please feel free to forward it to others that may wish to help
it is a little long, but covers well the Venture Scouting program 
and the opportunity to create a HAM group


Hi -

To all licensed Amateur Radio operators in the South-Central
Alaska area:   Here is your chance to get in on the creation of a
new type of ham radio group - specifically, a group aimed at
bringing younger people into our hobby.  Some of you have heard
the statistics:  Club membership is declining, ham radio is
aging.  Soon enough, our favorite hobby will be no more.

Well, what are we going to do about it?   Here is one very
interesting possibility.

What is it?

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) have created a new type of
scouting program aimed square at people of high-school age.  The
program is co-educational, meaning that both boys and girls are
welcome to participate, in the same group, at the same time.  The
program is known as "Venture Scouting".  Many of you have heard
of the "Explorer" scouts - this program still exists, but in
recent years the concept of "Venture" scouting has emerged.  In a
nutshell, Explorer scouting is aimed at career path training, in
the forestry, medical, law enforcement, and other similar
activities.  Venture scouting, on the other hand, is focused on
"hobby" activities, including ham radio.

What are we proposing?

We have the opportunity to create a new venture scouting program
here in the South-Central Alaska area.  This program would accept
young people from the entire Anchorage - Mat-Su area. We would
form 2 semi-independent groups, one based in Anchorage, the other
in the Palmer-Wasilla area.

Because the two groups would be semi independent, each will have
it's own identity.  This will allow friendly competition between
the groups, and at the same time provide a larger base for more
involved activities.

Specifically, we are trying to avoid the appearance of another
"Anchorage runs everything" situation.  While much of the support
will from necessity come from Anchorage, the idea is for every
participating group to be able to hold its own, so to speak, and
to make their own decisions as to how their group is to be run,
and who will be in charge, and what activities will they
undertake.

Who will oversee the operation?

As of now, the overall guidance would come from the ARES (Amateur
Radio Emergency Service) District 7 team.  In the beginning, ARES
would work primarily with the South Central Radio Club (SCRC) and
through them, all the other clubs and individual hams in the
area.  This structure is by no means "cast in stone", however,
and may be changed to fit needs.

How does the program operate?

The individual leadership structure is that of a group of young
people who choose their own "in house" management team from their
own age group, and the adults provide supervision, guidance, and
mentoring - what we in ham radio call "Elmering".

The venturing groups choose their own projects, based on the
overall theme of the program.  For example, they might decide to
have ham radio related outdoor activities, such as transmitter
hunts, field day operations, portable island operations,
"camp-outs" featuring ham radio activities, and so on.   The
adult advisors provide supervision for all activities, answering
questions as they arise, and making sure that no dangerous or
unhealthy situations are permitted.   Venture scouts would almost
certainly be a part of our normal activities, such as providing
support for various civic events (dog races, "Walk for Hope",
other charitable events, etc.),  and of course emergency
preparedness drills.  One of the basic themes of the ham radio
Venture Scouting group is expected to be emergency communications
support.

Because ham radio operators must be licensed, we would of course
be offering a continuing series of classes to assist these scouts
(and their parents) in becoming licensed hams.  We will  probably
use a two-step approach, with classes aimed specifically at the
no-code Technician license, and a follow on upgrade class
featuring Morse code training and General Class theory.


How is it funded?

Venture scouts pay a $7.00 per year fee to participate in the
program.  The advisors likewise pay $7.00 per year, and the
overall organization pays $20.00 per year.  For this, the BSA
provides blanket insurance and legal coverage in the event of an
injury or other unexpected situation.  Thus, the adult advisors
are protected against claims from any normal source.

Additional funding for group projects may be provided in any
number of ways, but the most popular method involves having the
scouts themselves raise money via traditional youth activities
such as car washes, bake sales, and so on.  In some cases,
sponsoring organizations donate some funds, but this is not
mandatory, and is usually in the form of matching funds when it
does happen.  The idea is for the scouts themselves to gain some
personal equity in the program and to focus their interest by
giving them a personal stake in the success of each activity.  Of
course, the parents of each scout often kick in a little, as
parents tend to do.

How do we gets "new recruits" interested, and how do we find
them?

The Scouts already have a network of advisors and professionals
in place who maintain contacts throughout the public and private
school systems.  They have a method of identifying individuals
who are likely to be interested in this program - students who
are interested in radio, electronics, communications, computers,
emergency preparedness, and so on.  They can provide us with
lists of names so we can contact these students directly, by any
number of methods.  The Scouts also have the ability to set up
"after school" meetings to showcase Amateur Radio, such as tours
of the CCV (the Anchorage ARC mobile communications center) or
other activities intended to attract potential participants.
This ties in well with our planned outreach program of taking our
CCV and other interesting items "on tour"  to various schools for
"show and tell" sessions.

Once established, the Venture Scouting groups often interface
directly with other Scout groups, such as the traditional Boy and
Girl Scout troops that are found among Elementary and Middle
School students.  This provides us with a way to gain the
attention of younger kids, and again their parents.

Of course, we also expect that some of the parents of the Venture
Scouts will also become interested enough to get their license
and join us as well.  Perhaps not all that many, but even a few
would be worth the effort.

How many participants can we expect?

The Scouts inform us that they have on tap the names of "several
hundred" students that would be good candidates for this
program.   We won't attract every one, of course,  but it would
not be unreasonable to expect an initial turnout of 25 to 50
interested students for our first groups.  Perhaps there will be
more, perhaps less, but even a few (5 is the minimum number for a
Venture Scouting group) would be worth while. If we make it fun
and interesting, word of mouth among students will increase these
numbers as time goes by.  Of course, each year brings along a new
"crop" of possible applicants, so this project will be continuing
as long as we wish to make it possible.

What can you do?

Actually, very little is required of the adult advisors.  You do
not need to be an "expert" on ham radio.  You do not have to be
"outdoorsy".  What you do need to do is be able to provide a
couple of hours a month working with the program.  You can
participate as much or as little as your personal preferences and
other commitments dictate.  If we can get enough adults on our
list, you will be able to "pick and choose" those activities that
are of the most interest to you personally.

Because the groups are co-ed, we will need both men and women.

Please note that the adult advisors do not necessarily have to be
licensed hams.  Perhaps your spouse has expressed some interest
in participating with the ham club, but felt left out because of
not having their own "ticket".  Here is a chance to participate,
and because we will be offering classes to all of the kids,  sit
in and get licensed too, if they wish.  Or not - either way
works.


When does all this get started?

The Scouts have a complete package for any interested startup
group.  There are already several venture scouting groups active
in Soiuth-Central Alaska, just none (so far) with a ham radio
focus.  The Scouts will help up get started, providing direct
personal assistance, contact names and resources, office
assistance, and so on.  They have a professionally trained person
who's job is to make sure groups such as the one we are proposing
get off on the right foot.  They have done this so many times
that they have almost literally perfected the process.

We are trying to put together a startup group in time for the end
of the school year, now only a few weeks away.  Yes, it is late
notice, and we may have to wait until fall, but we would like to
try and see if something can be assembled so these kids can join
us for Field Day, the Mayor's Marathon,  and all the other events
that are scheduled this summer.

If you are interested, we need to hear from you immediately!   We
think it can be done.


Why should you participate?

All of us, it seems, have already got all sorts of commitments
and things on our schedules, and who needs more?  Well, if our
hobby is to grow, we need younger hams.  Also, working with young
people can be a very uplifting and enjoyable experience.
Remember, these kids will be among the brightest and most
motivated of their respective schools.  You will not be just a
glorified baby-sitter, but instead will be actively participating
in their education, growth, and - dare we say it? - FUN.  A
couple of hours, once or twice a month might be just the ticket
for lifting YOU out of the doldrums and giving you a fresh
outlook.  Give it a try - it can't hurt, and if you find this
program "fits", you might just have a really good time.

How do you find out more?

In the Anchorage area, the program will be coordinated by Craig
Bledsoe, KL4E, and Jim Wiley, KL7CC, with the assistance of
others.  In the Palmer-Wasilla area, Teresa Nunes, KL0WW, has
offered to get us started.  These people are just a start,
however, and we may find others equally well or even better
suited to the task.  If you would like to be either an adult
advisor or have a more active role in leading these programs,
would you please let us know?   If you have children or
grand-children who might be interested in this program, please
let them know too, and have them get in contact with us.

We will let you know more as events unfold.  We hope to have our
first organizational meetings within the next 10 days or so.


Contact information:


Anchorage - Eagle River - Chugiak  area

Craig Blesdoe, KL4E         Tel:  694-4730      email:
craig_bledsoe@ak-prepared.com
Jim Wiley, KL7CC             Tel: 338-0662       email:
jwiley@alaska.net  (or)  kl7cc@arrl.net


Palmer - Wasilla - Matanuska Susitna borough

Teresa Nunes, KL0WW     Tel: 373-5224       email:
kl0ww@arrl.net



Thanks,and 73