ACE Camp Date Nears
The second annual Aviation Career Education (ACE) Camp will be held this year Monday, June 23 through Friday, June 27, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
The camp, based at Nantucket High School, is co-sponsored by the Nantucket Public Schools and the Nantucket Educational Air Program, Inc.—the non-profit foundation of Nantucket Memorial Airport—along with the support of the Nantucket Tower Air Traffic Controllers, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). and other organizations on and off island. ACE Camp is open to middle and upper school students.
As part of the five-day adventure, campers will engage in a wide-range of exciting activities, including an opportunity to take an orientation flight (weather permitting) in approved aircraft with a certified instructor, a trip to the Cape Air maintenance facility in Hyannis, building and launching model rockets, a visit to the Air Traffic Control Tower, using a Flight Simulator to practice take-offs and landings, an introduction to helicopters and a chance to experience a flight in one, along with some surprise “off-island” flying experiences.
“We were proud to host the first-ever ACE Camp on Nantucket, and were really impressed by the positive response from campers,” said Dr. Robert Pellicone, superintendent of Nantucket Public Schools. “Each morning, the kids arrived looking forward to the day’s events - some expected and some unexpected...” Dr. Pellicone went on to strongly encourage Nantucket’s young people to consider this unique start to their summer vacation.
The ACE Camp, geared towards students who have an interest in aviation, airport management, aeronautics or science, also will offer instruction in the theory of flight; an introduction to all types of aircraft, GPS and air traffic control systems; a chance to create aviation art; lessons about the National Airspace System and aviation history, particularly on Nantucket; an introduction to “how airports work” with a behind-the-scenes look at the current updating of Nantucket Airport; and a view of the important role aviation plays in “search and rescue,’ particularly on an island.
The 30 students enrolled in ACE Camp 2008, will engage in team-building experiences, plot navigation courses using aviation charts, meet industry professionals such as airline pilots and air traffic controllers, and learn how to get started on the road to one of the many aviation careers that are available. In addition, the camp counselors, college students currently enrolled in aviation management programs, will share their backgrounds and plans for their careers. After campers complete the week, they will be recognized for their successes through achievement awards and by a closing-day exhibit of the aviation art.
The Nantucket Educational Air Program, Inc., as part of their support for the camp, will award scholarships to campers in need of assistance. According to Airport Manager Al Peterson, “no Nantucket resident should miss the chance to attend the ACE Camp. We strongly urge all interested campers to send their applications as soon as possible.”
Tuition for the one-week program is $295. Prospective campers can view details and download an application and reference forms from the ACE Camp link on www.nantucketairport.com.
Prospective campers should deliver their completed applications, and a $50 refundable deposit to the NHS Guidance Office, or the Nantucket Airport’s Administration Office, no later than this Friday, June 6, 2008, with late registration accepted up to Friday, June 13.
For more information about Nantucket’s ACE Camp, contact the NHS Guidance Office at 508-228-7280, the Airport’s Camp Liaison, Jack Wheeler, at 508-325-5300 or ACE Camp Coordinator Malcolm Brydon, former Air Traffic Controller in the Nantucket Tower, at 207-332-9882. In addition, information/forms are on the Airport’s website: www.nantucketairport.com.
