Empowering Dreams: Louisville Kids and Teens Soar in Aviation Camp

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 This summer break, young minds in Louisville are taking flight as they learn to soar through the skies in airplanes.


The Organization of Black Aerospace Professional’s (OBAP) hosts a week-long aviation camp, in collaboration with nonprofit Flight Club 502, which has set up its headquarters at Bowman Field. Many students fortunate enough to attend this camp are members of both these empowering nonprofits.


In 1976, OBAP took flight as a nationwide nonprofit, dedicated to opening doors for minorities within the aerospace industry. Today, it continues to inspire and create opportunities for aspiring aviators.


One of the enthusiastic OBAP students, Malcom Thompson, shared his excitement, saying, "I love it! This program helps me keep up with aviation and opens doors I wouldn't have otherwise."


Beyond just flying a plane, participants from both nonprofits get a broader understanding of the aviation industry. Thanks to the regional airport authority's support, these young minds embark on tours that expose them to various aviation-related careers and job opportunities. Flight Club 502 Executive Director, Annabelle Klein, expressed her gratitude, stating, "We are able to take these kids on eye-opening tours to explore the vast array of careers in the aviation field."


During the camp, students engage in workshops, listen to inspirational speakers, and acquire essential life skills, contributing to their holistic development.


Raymond Robinson, the Camp Director of OBAP Shawnee ACE Academy, shared his thoughts, "Our culminating experience involves flying, and witnessing the joy on the faces of these students after their flight is truly rewarding. It's amazing to see them up there, experiencing something entirely different."


For ambitious teens looking to pursue aviation beyond the summer, the Academy of Shawnee offers a program where students can work towards earning their private pilot certificate while still in high school, setting them on a path to achieve their dreams.


If you're eager to be part of this life-changing experience, registration for both nonprofits’ 2024 summer programs will open in the spring. Seize the opportunity to empower your dreams and explore the boundless skies of aviation!

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