DC/RC 2008 Summer Camp
The Al Anderson Summer Camp took place July 28 through August 1 at the District of Columbia Radio Control Club’s field in Montgomery County, Maryland. The day began at 8 a.m. and ended at approximately noon. Our 10 campers’ ages ranged from 11 to 16 years old. This was the camp’s third year.
The winds for the week were light and variable—less than 10 mph. Each day was sunny with no rain: perfect weather for learning to fly.
Activities and schedule
After a lesson about field rules and safety around models, especially whirling propellers, the campers were divided into three groups:
- One group flew with an instructor.
- One group worked on building an Alpha 60.
- One group was introduced to the flight simulator on three portable computers.
Groups rotated at roughly one-hour intervals so everyone had a chance to participate in each activity. Each day, time was set aside for some classroom-type training such as theory of flight, engine tuning, and cleaning up airplanes before storing them.
Participants and results
The students’ experience ranged from never having flown to having a dad or grandfather involved in RC. Everyone was encouraged to try all the venues and ask as many questions as they liked. The campers surprised us with the questions they asked and how they soaked up the answers. Their enthusiasm was boundless.
Two campers were certified, and all were invited to the August meeting for an introduction to the club where each student received a certificate.
Staff and volunteers
- Camp director: Ed Leibolt
- Flight instructors: Ron Bozzonetti, Don Gray, Terry Lamb, Jose Sanchez, and Ed Leibolt
- Engine tuning and theory: Bob Yount (expertise with the Evolution 60, advice on building the ARF, and some theory of flight)
- Hands-on building experience (using cyanoacrylate and epoxies on an airframe salvaged from the trash can): Bill Garner, David Drazin, and Ira Glickman
This is proof that our hobby and sport hold interest and fascination for the younger generation. Flight has an irresistible pull on youngsters that is a marvel to experience. We can pass our knowledge on, knowing they will have the same wonderment that we feel. Keep ’em flying!
—David Drazin
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
