Date: March 2025
Amount: $20,181

Youth on the Air (aka Youngsters on the Air, YOTA) is a worldwide advocacy organization for Youth in Amateur Radio. It originated in 2011 in IARU Region 1 (Europe/Africa/West Asia/Russia) when a group of friends from all over Europe gathered for a weekend “camp” to teach each other more about many aspects of ham radio, and brainstorm ways to attract and retain more people – especially youth – into the hobby. Their yearly camp has been a majorly successful aspect of this mission. YOTA Americas is now entering the fifth year of offering in person camps.

Youth on the Air Americas received this grant to host the 2025 YOTA Junior USA camp at the Voice of America Museum. The camp will bring together 15 young amateur radio operators under age 15 and their parents. Activities include kit building, electronics, direction finding, contesting, social events, and operating the W8Y special event station. The camp is organized by former participants and volunteers.

In addition to hosting the camp, organizers hope to discover and implement novel ideas to improve attraction and retention of new people – especially youth – into amateur radio, especially through active use of amateur spectrum. They want to create and provide resources, information, curricula, and ideas to other radio organizations, associations, teachers, and Elmers to help inform and empower everyone to advance amateur radio to new generations.

Learn more at https://youthontheair.org/camps/.