Skip to main content
HomeHamXposition - Youth Forum

2025 DATES! – August 22-23-24, 2025 in Marlborough, MA.

The Northeast HamXposition, aka HamX, is held at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center, 181 Boston Post Road, Marlborough, MA on the fourth weekend of August. The event attracts hobbyists, makers, science and STEM enthusiasts, school and scout groups, and amateur radio operators from all over New England. Your admission ticket is good for all three days.  Come join us!

YOUTH PARTICIPATION -- Parents and Scout Leaders Please Read


This HamX Youth Participation Document on this web page is for all youth/scouts and their parents/leaders to read and discuss. The Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS) is a youth and family club, so we want all attending youth to have a safe and enjoyable time.

How much does it cost to attend?

For youth/scouts under 18 years, NEST will reimburse your admission and banquet fees. Even though youth/student/scout admission is free, we will pay for a General Admission ticket for you, so that youth will have a call sign badge, souvenir lanyard, and ticket for the door prizes. NEST will also reimburse each youth’s Friday and/or Saturday banquet ticket(s) so that youth/scouts may attend, enjoy the dinner, and hear the guest speaker. We will also give your youth a flat rate $5 for Saturday lunch.

PARENTS/LEADERS:
Step 1 - First, please order your tickets for the convention for you and your child/scout plus banquet tickets for you both, if desired, and put “STARS” in the Club Table box for banquet seating. You must order your own tickets - we do not provide them. (Deadline Aug 11 to order dinner tickets.)

We will reimburse you for Youth Admissions $18, up to two banquets $54 each, and a flat $5 for Saturday lunch. 

Step 2 - Then please fill out this NEST HamX Youth Attendance Form to indicate your youth's/scout's attendance and to claim your admissions and banquet tickets refund. The General Admission ticket covers Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The Friday and Saturday banquets are priced separately.

What is New England Sci-Tech’s involvement at the convention?

NEST encourages its club members, youths, scouts, and their families to attend the convention for the educational experience. Our clubs host exhibitor booths in the Atrium to showcase our mission, host soldering workshops, and provide a central destination for youth and families looking for a place to gather and socialize during the day between sessions. Our club members also give talks and host the Youth Forum on Saturday.

What is the Youth Forum?

The Youth Forum is a tradition that we have hosted for many years. We invite as many youth of school and college age as possible to join a round-table discussion about what their interests are in STEM, electronics, radio, and how they see wireless technology and ham radio in their future.  We would really like to have youth and scouts join us and invite parents and scout leaders to pose questions for discussion from the audience.

What may I do when I am not attending a break-out session?

You may visit the extensive flea market, go inside EmComm trailers, and stroll through the isles of indoor exhibitors. You can hang out with friends at the NEST/STARS exhibitor booth in the Atrium and help with the soldering workshops. If staying at the hotel, there is the workout room, swimming pool, arcade room, or other hotel offerings. It is really what each person wants to make of the event, but for those who love STEM, electronics, and radio, HamX is lots of fun.

What shall I do about other meals such as lunch and snacks?

Each person should bring cash for meals and snacks. The hotel opens a lunch buffet for a couple hours on Saturday. You will have to eat quickly between forums and activities. You may also keep snacks with your personal belongings.

Should my child bring money for the flea market and exhibit hall?

That’s up to youth and their parents. For responsible youth, a $50 or $100 allowance might be prudent, but don’t plan to spend it unless there is something you really need. There are so many tempting items that you may have to go in with the idea that everything is “eye candy” to see but not touch.

Can we let our child participate without parental supervision?

We encourage parents to attend with their children. Under the age of 13 children ought to have an adult supervisor. Teens that are members of NEST may attend without parents if they have peer company, meaning at least two or more together in a group. NEST adult supervisors in the club will help keep an eye on youth participants, however, we are not running a school trip and can't watch them at all times. Youth members must agree to behave, stick together in a group or with a buddy, and check in regularly with a club adult supervisor in the Atrium. If you have any questions or worries, please ask.

May my child attend on Friday or Sunday as well?

Yes, but youth activities are somewhat limited on Friday and Sunday. Youth can help with our booth and our Kit Building Workshops, and attend the Friday dinner with us. The program begins Friday at noon and ends Sunday at 2:00 PM after the prize drawings.

What are the youth rules?

We would like ALL youth to check in with one of our designated adult supervisors at the NEAR/STARS booth in the Atrium. Then join a group or pair up with a buddy. Scout Groups should pre-arrange their groups and follow scout rules for supervision. Stay with your buddy at all times, including visits to restrooms, snack areas, and exhibit halls. Check in with the adult supervisors at designated times. Be on your best behavior and be courteous to people who ask about your club or scout group. When you are ready to be picked up to go home, please have your parent/leader meet you at the NEST/STARS booth in the Atrium and check out with one of the adult or scout supervisors. If you are staying for the banquet, you will check out with us in the banquet hall or our booth in the Atrium at the conclusion of the program at approximately 9:30 pm.

How may I reach you or my child during the event?

You may call the NEST business line at 508-720-4179, which will ring on Bob’s cell phone at the convention. You can also TEXT Bob (ask in advance for his cell phone).

2025 NEST/STARS FRIDAY Schedule 


9:00 - 9:30 AM  — Join us for a buffet breakfast in the restaurant.

9:30 - 12:00 — NEST/STARS/NEWBS booth setup in the Atrium.  


12:00 - 5:00 — Explore the Flea Market or hang out at our booth.


2:00 - 5:00 — Kit Soldering Workshops at our booth in the Atrium.


5:00 - 6:00 — Unscheduled block. If  not staying for Dinner, check out at our booth. Others hang out in the Atrium, play games, or socialize.


6:00 - 6:30 — Refreshments/socializing in the hallway near the banquet hall.

6:30 approx. — Doors Open - Don't be late or we may not be able to seat you at the STARS tables.  Bring your Friday dinner tickets.


7:00 - 8:00 — Youth/scouts should sit together at any of the several tables reserved for STARS, or they may sit with their parents.  Look for signs on the tables. 


8:00 - 9:00 — Speaker is Ned Stearns, AA7A: Remote DXpeditioning.  


2025 NEST/STARS SATURDAY Schedule

8:30 - 9:00 AM — Join us for a buffet breakfast in the restaurant.


9:00 - 10:00 — Early-bird Check-ins: Youth, scouts, and families arrive and check in at NEST booth in Atrium. We will help youth without parents find a buddy. 


9:00 - 12:00 — Visit any educational sessions, help at our booth, or peruse the flea market and EmComm vehicles.

12:00 - 1:00 — Check-ins:  Youth, scouts, and families arrive and check in at NEST booth in Atrium. We will help youth without parents find a buddy.  BYO lunch or purchase at the hotel. We will give all youth a $5 stipend for food.

1:00 - 1:50 — Explore the Flea Market or hang out at our booth. Attend Max's talk in Room E-3 Seminar.


2:00 - 2:50 — Students in Cubes-in-Space give their talk in Room E-1 Duchess.

3:00 - 3:50 — Students in StratoScience give their talk in Room E-3 Seminar.


4:00 - 4:50 — YOUTH FORUM - Everyone please join this one in the ATRIUM!

5:00 - 6:00 — Game Night in the Atrium.  If not staying for Banquet, check out at our booth during this time.

6:00 - 6:30 — Hang out at the booth in the Atrium, play games, or socialize.

6:30 approx. — Doors Open - Don't be late or we may not be able to seat you at the STARS tables.  Bring your Saturday Banquet tickets.


7:00 - 8:00 — Grand Banquet. Youth/scouts should sit together at any of the several tables reserved for STARS, or they may sit with their parents. Look for signs on the tables.


8:00 - 9:00 — Banquet Speaker: Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF: HamSCI: Space Weather We Can Do Together!


9:00 - 10:00 — Optional Games and Movie in the Atrium. When leaving, please check out with us at the banquet or in the Atrium. 



2025 NEST/STARS SUNDAY Schedule
9:00 - 9:30 AM  — Join us for a buffet breakfast in the restaurant.


9:30 - 10:00 AM — Youth members, scouts, and families arrive and check in at NEST booth in Atrium.


10:00 - 12:00 — Visit the forums and flea market.

12:00 - 1:00 – Help with taking down the booths and packing cars.

1:00 - 2:00 — Closing Ceremonies and Prize Drawings.