Building and flying a remote control plane, visiting the PDX control tower, and piloting a real aircraft over Vancouver are among the fun and educational opportunities for youth at the five week-long aviation summer camps offered at the Pearson Field Education Center.
“We’re pretty excited about this year’s curriculum,” said Garrett Schmidt, Director of Pearson Field Education Center. Along with instructing campers in the basics of flight through simulators and other hands-on methods, he will lead them on field trips to a regional air museum, the F.A.A. control tower at Portland International Airport, and other locations. “It’s a unique way to be immersed in the world of aviation, while at the same time having fun learning STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) concepts and principles that carry over into other areas of life.”
Camps are for ages 9 to 17, and run Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pearson Field Education Center, 201A East Reserve Street; except the July 12 week when it is sponsored by the Camas Washougal Aviation Association (CWAA) at Grove Field in Camas.
Al Coupe Remote Control Plane Summer Camp: June 28-July 2
Aviation 101 Summer Camp Sessions:
July 12-16 (at Grove Field in Camas)
July 26-30
August 9-13
August 23-27
The cost for each week is $450. Register by calling 360.992.1815 or go to Fort Vancouver Aviation Education to find the registration form.
Pearson Field Education Center delivers experiential, aviation-based science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs for youth. It is open every Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. for youth and families to enjoy free activities such as glider building, flight simulation, and other educational aviation fun. It is a program of the Fort Vancouver National Trust. For more information, visit Fort Vancouver Open Saturday Programs.
