Where there are scouts, there must be merit badges, and the 1989 National Jamboree was no exception, Some 14 scouts earned Radio Merit Badges at the Jamboree, and nearly 300 scouts completed at least some of the requirements. Long lines at pay telephones prompted many scouts to visit K2BSA to send a message home. During the day, scouts lined up to fill in the blanks on the message forms. Besides the popularity of the message service, scout-operated FSTV and packet radio were the hit of the show. The kids are natural communicators.
Radio is an activity for everyone, and the use of radio by the blind is well known.
One blind scout made several visits to K2BSA and hopes to join the ranks of licensed hams soon after he returns home. Radio involves more than just sound, radio is a vehicle for cornmunications, by voice, by computer, by video and through satellites. Their investment in the youth at the Jamboree was well spent. K2BSA operation at the 1989 National Scout Jamboree added fuel to the growth of youth in Amateur Radio. But as we see it, the challenge is to keep the growth alive.