Tidewater Council Scouts, get ready for a hands-on dive into the exciting world of amateur radio!

Join us for a unique opportunity to earn the Radio Merit Badge in conjunction with the 2025 ARRL Field Day, the largest on-air amateur radio event in North America. The day will begin with several hours of classroom training under a shelter to cover foundational concepts before transitioning to the hands-on portion. Scouts will then have the chance to see live radio operations, talk on the air with the guidance of licensed operators, and learn directly from the experts at the Virginia Beach Amateur Radio Club (VBARC). VBARC will have stations operating with voice, Morse code, digital, and even satellite communication modes! This event is designed to be an interactive, hands-on experience that goes far beyond a typical classroom setting.

While anyone is welcome to visit the VBARC Field Day site to observe, space for the structured Merit Badge Workshop is limited. Parents and unit leaders are encouraged to stay, explore the Field Day operations, and see what their Scouts are learning. The main on-air Field Day operations run continuously for 24 hours from 2:00 PM Saturday through 2:00 PM Sunday, so feel free to stop by and see it in action! This special workshop is being offered as a Wood Badge leadership service project to help promote STEM education and create new opportunities for Scouts in our council.

Event Details:

• Who: Open to all Scouts BSA members and families. The Radio Merit Badge Workshop is limited to 20 Scouts BSA participants.
• What: An immersive workshop to complete Radio Merit Badge requirements.
• When: Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
• Where: The workshop will be held at the VBARC's ARRL Field Day site at Great Neck Park.
• Cost: This workshop is free of charge.

How to Prepare:

To make the most of this opportunity, Scouts should:

1. Get a Blue Card from your Scoutmaster.
2. Download and read the Radio Merit Badge pamphlet (click here to open).
3. Download and review the merit badge worksheet (click to open).
4. Though not required, pre-study is authorized and encouraged! If able, please complete requirement 8 before you arrive. For requirement 9, we will be using option A during the workshop.
5. Bring the following:

• A water bottle and a sack lunch or snacks.
• Pen/pencil and notebook or the merit badge worksheet (with any completed pre-study).
• A camp chair is recommended.
• Sun protection (sunscreen, hat).

Please note: This event will be held outdoors under shelters, rain or shine. Please dress appropriately for the weather.

Registration:

Space for the Merit Badge Workshop is limited to 20 participants to ensure a high-quality experience. For any questions, please contact Daniel Minnick at daniel.t.minnick@gmail.com or 304-767-1445.

We look forward to seeing you on the air!