The League now awards its “Amateur Radio Service to Scouting Award” certificate to recognize active Scouting leaders who make significant contributions to providing Scouts with a memorable and valuable Amateur Radio experience. Several of the awards already have been presented. The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) last year included the ARRL award within its family of 19 Community Organization Award partners. Uniformed Scouters who have been recognized for their service to Scouting youth in the community may wear the BSA square knot insignia.

The Amateur Radio Service to Scouting Award was officially established through a resolution that the ARRL Board adopted at its 2013 Annual Meeting. It builds on the long relationship between the BSA and ARRL that began with the development of the Wireless Merit Badge in 1918 — now the Radio Merit Badge. This relationship was formally recognized through a 2011 Memorandum of Understanding (view a video of the signing). The League’s award recognizes radio amateurs who, as registered Scouting leaders, make a significant contribution to give Scouts a memorable experience with Amateur Radio.

Nominations for the Amateur Radio Service to Scouting Award are made through the appropriate ARRL Section Manager, and should be sent to Steve Ewald, WV1X, at ARRL headquarters A nominee must be an ARRL member. Requirements range from teaching the Radio Merit Badge to participating in the Jamboree On The Air (JOTA), to providing communications support for Scouting events. Scout leaders cannot nominate themselves. Nominations can also be submitted from Scout units, districts, and councils.