From Friday, Sept. 23, through Sunday, Sept. 25, Fantasy of Flight will hold its inaugural Boy Scouts American Heritage Camporee, a new event providing scouts the chance to meet and talk with decorated World War II veterans amidst actual planes flown in the war. The weekend’s activities will help scouts earn requirements toward their American Heritage and Aviation merit badges, among others.
This is not the first time that Fantasy of Flight has set the stage to help scouts earn merit badges. The attraction hosted its 3rd Annual Aviation Camporee March 18-20 and has hosted more than 1,000 Boy Scouts since its inception. Inviting World War II veterans to share their compelling stories is nothing new for the attraction either… This year Fantasy of Flight expanded its Legends & Legacies Symposium Series to feature veterans who served on D-Day and at Pearl Harbor, veterans groups including the Tuskegee Airmen and the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), as well as heroes from World War II who served on the ground protecting and supporting the men and women in flight.
“We are proud to expand our scouting program to include requirements toward the American Heritage merit badge as well as the Aviation merit badge, in a hand-on, interactive and totally immersive way,” said Kermit Weeks, Fantasy of Flight founder and owner and a former Boy Scout. “Even more so, we’re eager to unite what’s been called the ‘Greatest Generation’ with the leaders of tomorrow, face-to-face, veteran-to-scout, in a way that is rarely, if ever, done. This is an incredible opportunity for scouts to hear firsthand from real live American heroes who fought for our freedom.”
The American Heritage Camporee includes three days and two nights of primitive camping at Fantasy of Flight; unlimited admission to Central Florida’s premier aviation attraction; as well as lunch on Saturday and all activities and merit stations. Troops or individual scouts are invited. Individual scouts under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Reservations are required and space is limited. Cost is $30 per person, plus tax. For more information: 863-984-3500 or FantasyOfFlight.com
