Education through Aviation - 2012/09
Yogi reminds us of how we must listen to learn. We’ve recently finished our second year of Camp AMA. We had 17 young pilots attend. They all listened and learned, and were anxious to improve their knowledge and understanding of aviation. They also wanted to grow as model aircraft pilots.
Camp AMA — Year Two
RJ Gritter and Nick Maxwell are two shining examples of how great our young people can be. They were the lead instructors and the campers just couldn’t get enough of what they had to say and watching them fly. Jim Rice and Jack Matlock traveled from San Antonio to assist and were invaluable in their contributions to the camp. Jim serves as our District VIII vice president and Jack is Jim’s longtime friend. If there are two pilots who are more passionate about getting the younger generations involved than Jim and Jack, who are more fun to be with, and who are more knowledgeable, I’ve not met them!
The entire staff simply understood the importance of the fun factor in learning. I always step away from an event and try to develop a picture in my mind of what happened, in an attempt to improve the next one. In the included photo is this year’s diverse group of campers who developed great friendships during their time together, and who couldn’t get enough of flying. I have to single out Jessy Symmes. She was absolutely “the deal” with the kids, parents, organization, and leadership. I can’t thank her enough.
At the end of something such as this, it seems only fair to challenge even more youth to attend next year, and for additional clubs to sponsor a young pilot who wants to attend. Please check AMA Today and our youth newsletter, Flightline, for links to the amazing video these students made, and photos of the camp.
Girls in Aviation — STEP Camps
Although this was an encouraging moment for the youth movement of model aviation, it also pointed out one of our real shortcomings: where are the females? I’ll tell you where more than 300 of them were this summer—at two Science, Technology, and Engineering Preview (STEP) camps in Michigan and Minnesota. Jessy and I attended the final night of the Grand Rapids, Michigan, event and were so impressed that we plan to offer scholarships to one girl from Michigan. These campers learned to love aviation, fly RC models, and will give the boys a challenge next summer!
STEP focuses on girls in the sixth grade. Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan, is one of the two universities that use model aviation as the vehicle to address the AMA’s mission statement. Camp Director Sara Maas is a wonderful example of someone who knows only a little about model aviation, but is quick to embrace the learning opportunities we have. The Grand Valley State group accepted 84 girls for its two summer camps, and still has a waiting list.
The campers are in the sixth grade and the goal is to promote interest in science and math classes, and related technological fields. The girls take CAD design classes and design, build, and fly their airplanes. We were amazed by their progress in a few short days and their obvious interest in things that fly! Bravo, STEP!
Acknowledgements
- Lead instructors: RJ Gritter, Nick Maxwell
- Assistants and volunteers: Jim Rice, Jack Matlock
- Camp director (STEP): Sara Maas
- Outstanding contributor: Jessy Symmes
Here are a couple photos of kids having a great time with model aviation. Our gratitude goes to those who make this possible, and who continually challenge others to make it happen!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
