NW Wings Aviation This summer, NW Wings Aviation hosted our first aviation summer camp in June and July. The camp occurred at our new office at the Hillsboro Airport, welcoming campers aged between 9 and 13 years old. We plan on hosting another camp session during winter break and next summer.
Elad Segal, CEO of NW Wings Aviation, reflects on the importance of introducing aviation to children.
“In the past, airports were open and available to the public to come and watch airplanes and be inspired,” Segal said. “With today’s airport security, aviation can feel unreachable. It is our obligation as aviators to open the world of aviation to new people, especially kids.”
Segal recalls that other adults his age may recall having the ability to enter airports without security as children. It was easy to watch the aircraft take off and land and this is no longer achievable for some children.
We aim to encourage young children to explore their interest in aviation and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Whether they are interested in aviation specifically or STEM as a whole, developing STEM knowledge through learning about aviation teaches children a wide range of skills. Learning about aviation concepts can enhance their critical thinking, creativity, confidence, problem solving, and more.
Ava Lorenz, a Camp Counselor at the camp, says she enjoyed seeing the excitement and enthusiasm for aviation.
“It’s important to introduce children to STEM and aviation because it sparks their curiosity and allows them to explore topics they’re interested in,” said Lorenz.
The week-long camp explores many themes of aviation from the limitations of the Spruce Goose wooden framework to how weight, drag, lift, and thrust keep a plane above ground.
Campers participate in field trips exploring the Evergreen Aviation Museum and Hillsboro Fire Station 5 located at the airport - along with many other trips.
Among these field trips was a visit to the Portland Community College (PCC) Rock Creek Campus to view the Aviation Maintenance Tech department. Jaxson Long, a Camp Counselor at the camp, says campers got to experience what a higher education in aviation may look like.
“PCC offered a great experience for campers to enjoy what it might be like for college students to go through real pilot training,” said Long “Campers were amazed by how realistic flight simulation is and to look behind the scenes on aircraft maintenance.”
Arel, a camper who attended both June and July sessions, said his favorite part of the camp was visiting PCC. “He was able to see real aircraft and sit inside them,” said his mom. “He was really excited about it.”
Visit this page to learn more about camp: https://www.nwwafly.com/camp2024
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