July 15, 2004 -- Girl Scouts and other volunteers will be on the air from special event station K0S during the Minnesota Dreams Jamboree, sponsored by the Greater Minneapolis Council, Girl Scouts of America (GSA). The gathering Friday and Saturday, July 16-17, is expected to attract more than 1900 participants from 30 states.
During the Jamboree, 18-year-old Jean Arimond, KC0SAN, (photo) of St Louis Park, Minnesota, will demonstrate Amateur Radio as part of the requirements to earn her GSA Gold Award--similar to the Boy Scouts' Eagle Scout rank. She decided to feature ham radio in keeping with the jamboree's theme "Summer Days, Starry Nights," reflecting the making of dreams into reality. Her dream, she says, is to inspire more girls and women to become Amateur Radio licensees. "It just seems like such a natural fit," she said, "If girls do anything well, it's finding ways to communicate; and that's what ham radio is all about." She plans several hands-on displays showing repeater operation, PSK31, CW and HF communication. Minnesota Youth in Amateur Radio Council members also will have their equipment van available for viewing.
A fairly recent licensee, Arimond encourages all hams--and
especially women and girls of all ages, to contact her and the other volunteers
during the Jamboree special event. K0S will operate on or about 14.250 and
28.450 MHz. Other participating operators include Janice and Janet Robidoux,
K0JA and K0JE, both 50-year ham radio veterans; ARRL Dakota Division Vice
Director Twila Greenheck, N0JPH; and Orcena Lyle, W0QT. Arimond says her
father's interest in Amateur Radio, particularly, in its community service
aspects, inspired her to get her ticket. Her dad is Tim Arimond, N0BYH.
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