In 2026, EAA Chapter 35 is once again awarding a full scholarship for a 16-18 year old youth to attend the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Air Academy.
The Experimental Aircraft Association’s Air Academy is a series of six or nine day-long summer camps held at the EAA’s headquarters campus which is located on the City of Oshkosh, Wisconsin’s, Wittman Regional Airport. The EAA's Air Academy is accredited by the American Camp Association (acacamps.org).
Chapter 35 is looking for a 16-18 (age during the camp) year-old candidate to attend the Air Academy’s “Explore Camp” which will be held July 14-22, 2026. The selected candidate will receive a "full ride" scholarship to cover the cost of tuition, room, meals, and transportation. Candidates must be at least 16 years old, but no older than 18 years old, during the Camp.
The Explore Camp offers state-of-the-art flight simulators, interactive workshops, flights, and access to EAA's official museum, all of which are intended to inspire an interest in the many aspects of aviation. Explore Camp is where the thrill of flight meets the excitement of hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) exploration, as well as creating a deeper understanding and appreciation of aviation's history in teens.
Campers are fully immersed in the world of flight, guided by top-notch aviation instructors. They experience aviation through hands-on activities, flight demonstrations, studies, and (weather permitting) recreational flight experiences in both an airplane and a helicopter.
This particular session of Explore Camp is special because it overlaps with the EAA’s AirVenture, the world’s largest aviation convention and airshow. AirVenture 2026 will be held July 20-26 and is a not-to-be-missed event for any aviation enthusiast.
Candidates must be able to travel on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, to either Appleton or Green Bay, Wisconsin, the closest commercial airports to Oshkosh. Return to San Antonio will be on July 22, 2026. EAA Air Academy staff will provide ground transportation to and from the Air Academy Lodge and Appleton or Green Bay.
Chapter 35 encourages all 16 through 18 year-olds with an interest in aviation to apply for this scholarship.
- To apply for Chapter 35’s Explore Camp position and scholarship, submit a fully completed application plus your choice of an essay (max 800 words), an audio file (max 8 minutes), or a video file (max 8 minutes) explaining:
why you are our ideal scholarship recipient
what interests you in aviation
what aviation experiences you may have had and
activities outside of school in which you are currently involved, or have been involved
Your completed application and essay/audio file/video file must be received by our Air Academy Chairperson by February 15, 2026, at airacademy.flyaway020@passmail.net .
Download Application Here
Chapter 35’s Air Academy Selection Committee may want to interview finalist applicants. Interviews will virtual, over the internet.
Potential applicants and their parents/guardians are encouraged to learn more about the Air Academy at www.eaa.org/education/air-academy. Be sure to watch the "Air Academy Overview 2025" video at the top of the page and the "Air Academy Camp" video in the "Find the Camp That's Best for You" section. You will also find valuable information under "Explore Aviation Camp," "EAA Air Academy Lodge" and all "Frequently Asked Questions."
Please DO NOT submit the EAA’s online application for the Camp, or apply for an EAA “Campership” on the eaa.org website. Chapter 35 has a confirmed reservation for the Camp; only the successful scholarship recipient will complete the application with EAA Headquarters. Chapter 35 will assist the successful applicant with EAA’s application forms.
As you will read in the eaa.org “Frequently Asked Questions,” the scholarship recipient will receive an acceptance email from EAA. This email will include additional forms the recipient and his/her parent/guardian must complete. Chapter 35 will assist the successful applicant and parent/guardian with these forms.
Selection of this year's scholarship recipient will occur no later than February 28, 2026.
Potential applicants and parent/guardian are welcome to contact our Air Academy Chairperson, Steve Powell, at airacademy.flyaway020@passmail.net with any questions.
