CCARC members were on hand on Saturday September 30th to help out at the Boy Scouts Camporee.  The Camporee was held at the Clearfield Airport with several Boy Scout Merit Badges being offered, including the Radio Merit Badge.

Participating scouts worked through the required merit badge classroom discussion curriculum and were given the opportunity to conduct a real QSO on the 2 meter and 20 meter amateur radio bands.  Steve K3SKS also had his laptop and demonstrated digital modes in operation on the HF bands,  While the scouts were only required to hold a 10 minute QSO, many of the scouts took advantage of the opportunity and held much longer conversations on the air. During the course of the day one scout mentioned that he had passed his Technician Class license exam in 2021 and possessed a dual band HT, but has never programmed it for on air use.  Shane KC3TAL had his first opportunity to get on the air during the Camporee with his first on air QSO being with Steve K3SKS.  Following that brief conversation Shane worked Carmine K3CWP on the State College 146.760 repeater for nearly 30 minutes.

CCARC wishes to thank Rich KB3QKR, Harvey N3RTK, John N3SPW and Steve K3SKS for their assistance at the Camporee.  On the air helping the scouts fulfill their 10 minute QSO requirement were several stations, but most notably was Judy KC3JAS who stayed on the air and and was in regular contact with the air throughout the day.

A total of eighteen scouts earned their Radio Merit Badge at the Radio Merit Badge course.  Several scouts appeared genuinely interested in perusing amateur radio as a hobby.  It was a good day for the scouts as well as amateur radio in general.