A newly-founded nonprofit, Operation Aviation Foundation (OAF), will host an aviation camp for children ages 12-16 from July 12-14 at the Walker County Airport-Bevill Field in Jasper. The camp is the state’s only Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) co-sponsored camp.
OAF is dedicated to introducing underrepresented individuals and underserved communities to aviation careers and aims to provide pathways to airlines and other aviation careers. The foundation hopes to inspire the next generation of aviation professionals.
“We’ve got to open the door for people from all backgrounds to make up a more diverse percentage of who’s in the cockpit,” said Jessica Sanders Walker, vice president of Sanders Aviation and Sanders Flight Training Center in Jasper and founder of OAF.
The camp will provide a unique and immersive experience for campers. They will learn from a diverse group of experts from the FAA, NASA, meteorology, airlines and military. Campers will also experience flight simulators and time in the air with aviators.
To participate in the camp, students must complete an application, have a letter of recommendation from a community leader, and draft a 200-word essay. The application deadline is June 15. The application can be found below this story. It is also on the OAF Facebook page.
Walker said volunteers are needed for the camp. Volunteers will assist with activities on the ground and in the air because every flight requires a pilot and volunteer on board with the camper. She said they are also still seeking sponsors. To volunteer at or sponsor the event, call Sanders Aviation at 205-384-4359.
“We are excited to offer this camp to the children of Walker County and the surrounding area,” Walker said. “We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to explore a career in aviation, regardless of their background.”
