The first-ever Youth Aviation Summer Camp was held July 11-15, 2022, at Augusta Municipal Airport (3AU) in Kansas.
The free camp included a number of activities, including:
- A tour of the airport, with a discussion about pilot careers and training requirements, maintenance technician careers and training requirements, airport management careers, and Air Traffic Control careers.
- A presentation by the Civil Air Patrol.
- A Top Gun Cockpit Photo Experience and Huey static display: Steve Cannaby set up a static display of a restored Huey helicopter and gave campers information about the Huey and allowed them to climb aboard. He also provided each camper an opportunity to experience a flight simulator in addition to getting a keepsake photo, all free of charge.
- Officials from WSU Tech discussed drone training and career opportunities, in addition to setting up an obstacle course and allowing each camper to fly a drone and a paper airplane through the course.
- Eagle Med dropped by with a static display and discussed air ambulance operations, crew, training, and more.
- Deputy Shauna Sherwood of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department discussed law enforcement’s use of drones and aviation.
- Photographer Paul Bowen discussed aviation photography and gave each camper a signed copy of his book, “Air To Air, Mustangs to Corsairs.”
- A tour of McConnell Air Force Base, with many base personnel talking to the campers about their jobs. The kids also got to go on board a static KC-135 display, as well as visit the fire station, air traffic control tower, and an explosive ordinance disposal center.
Transportation for the field trips was provided courtesy of Augusta Public Schools, airport officials noted.
“Our goal is to cast a wide net, showcasing many aspects of aviation and aviation careers, both civilian and military,” said Ray Seif, airport manager. “We also stress that getting a pilot’s certificate shouldn’t be limited to a career and that aviation is valuable as a career, as an extremely efficient mode of transportation, and for fun.”
Enjoy a few photos from the camp:
What a perfect summer camp! Exposing our youth to all aspects of aviation career opportunities is a job well done by the organizers and volunteers. It was a well round camp.