The Experimental Aircraft Association’s Air Academy is a series of week-long summer camps held at the EAA’s headquarters campus which is located on the City of Oshkosh, Wisconsin’s, Wittman Regional Airport.
Chapter 35 is looking for a 16-18 year-old candidate to attend the Air Academy’s “Explore Camp” which will be held July 15-23, 2025. The selected candidate will receive a 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, and flights that will leave you inspired. Explore Camp is where the thrill of flight meets the excitement of hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) exploration.
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 2025 will be held July 21-27 and is a not-to-be-missed event for any aviation enthusiast.
Candidates must be able to travel on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, to either Appleton or Green Bay, Wisconsin, the closest commercial airports to Oshkosh. Return to San Antonio will be on July 23, 2025. 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 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
what activities outside of school are currently involved, or have been involved
Your completed application and essay must be received by our Air Academy Chairperson by January 31, 2025.
Chapter 35’s Air Academy Selection Committee may want to interview finalist applicants.
Potential applicants and their parents/guardians are encouraged to watch the video, and get additional information about the Air Academy at www.eaa.org/eaa/youth/eaa-aviation-and-flight-summer-camps/eaa-air-academy. Please be sure to review “Explore Aviation Camp (Learn More),” “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.
Potential applicants and parent/guardian are welcome to contact our Air Academy Chairperson, Steve Powell, at airacademy.flyaway020@passmail.net with any questions.
