Summer flying fun

Dayton community leaders have always recognized the significance of their hometown, and how it contributes to the history and future of the country. Under the leadership of Vince Russo, a retired senior executive at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, a group convened in 2006 to consider using the city’s many aviation and historic sites to add to STEM education. In 2008 the group expanded to include Wright family member Amanda Wright Lane and other Dayton aviation luminaries, and a decision was made to “do something” using current Dayton community assets. The first day camp was offered in 2010, and the first teachers camp was launched in 2015. The camps make use of all the aviation-related sites in the area.

Courses, classes, and events take place throughout Dayton. There’s a drone flying facility at Sinclair Community College; the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force offers its facilities as does the University of Dayton; and Dayton International Airport and Greene County Airport volunteer their facilities, offices, technology, and aircraft.

There are five programs. For the youngest aviation-interested (or curious) participant there are two day camps for fourth to sixth graders, which focus on the history and evolution of flight; for middle schoolers in grades seven through nine there are camps that offer a deeper dive into the physics of flight; for high schoolers in grades 10 through 12 there are both day and overnight camps that offer an opportunity for immersive concentration into aviation career possibilities; and for teachers of science, technology, engineering, and math curricula across the country there are both day and overnight camps that help educators deliver the message of the possibilities in aviation. Every participant has the opportunity to fly a general aviation airplane with an instructor.

The application for the day camps opens February 15 and is on a first-come, first-serve acceptance. Approximately 330 students are accepted. For the overnight and full-immersion camps and the camp for teachers there is an application process, which involves an essay. That enrollment period is from February 15 through April 15.

Most camps are held in July and August. Two-day elementary camps are $250; three-day camps are $375. Middle school overnight camp is $1,275. The five-day, six-night overnight camp for high schoolers is $1,195; students are housed in the University of Dayton dormitories. The Teachers Air Camp program is partially funded by individual, organizational, and corporate donors.

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