EAA Air Academy

Embark on an unparalleled journey of fun and exploration at the EAA Air Academy, an ACA accredited program! Designed exclusively for young aviation enthusiasts aged 14-18, our camps blend excitement and learning like no other. Nestled in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, campers reside at the EAA Air Academy Lodge, immersing themselves in the heart of sport aviation.

Fuel your passion for flight with a diverse array of hands-on activities curated to ignite curiosity and spark a passion for aviation. Led by passionate aviators, you'll soar into the realm of aviation through immersive studies, captivating demonstrations, exhilarating flight simulations, and a myriad of other thrilling experiences. Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind opportunity to elevate your summer with unforgettable adventures at the EAA Air Academy!

EAA Chapter 54 provides financial assistance to young people who are interested in exploring their aviation dreams during the one-week session.

Applications for assistance will be taken in the summer of 2025 for Air Academy sessions in 2026. Chapter 54 provides full scholarships for selected applicants. Other individuals may be eligible for "camperships" both from EAA headquarters in Oshkosh. 

How to apply for a Chapter 54 Air Academy scholarship

Application for Air Academy Scholarship support from EAA Chapter 54 opens on August 1.  Scholarships will begin to be considered starting in the middle of August.  Scholarship support is limited (sometimes to a single scholarship) and dependent upon the amount of donations and success of fundraising efforts the chapter has had during the year to that point.  It is to an applicant’s advantage to apply early in August due to competition for limited funds and the beginning of consideration of any applicants who have applied by mid-August.

While you need to inform Chapter 54 of your intentions to seek a scholarship in August, you will need to apply directly to the Air Academy for acceptance to one of several camps. EAA opens applications at the beginning of September for camp sessions in the summer of next year. You will know prior to that date whether you are receiving a Chapter 54 scholarship and can indicate that on the Air Academy application to the EAA.

The application will be available here. The 2026 application from EAA Oshkosh will be available around September 2, 2025.

Aside from personal / contact information, the Air Academy application asks the following 5 questions:      (Answers must not exceed 2000 characters each)

1. Why do you want to attend Air Academy?  

2. What aviation experiences, education, or training do you have to date?

3. What aviation interests do you have and/or would like to gain from your EAA Air Academy experience?

4. What aviation career goals do you have that could be further advanced from your experience at the EAA Air Academy?

5. How did you learn about EAA Air Academy?

To apply for an EAA Chapter 54 scholarship for EAA Academy, please provide the answers you intend to provide to the Academy for these above 5 questions, and also please answer the following questions:

1. Are you or family relation a member of EAA Chapter 54, and if so for how long?

2. What EAA Chapter 54 volunteer activities or fundraising efforts in support of youth education have you or a family member participated in, if any?

3. Have you had a Young Eagle flight at an EAA Chapter 54 Young Eagle Rally?

4. How did you learn of EAA Chapter 54 scholarships for EAA Air Academy?

Prior membership or participation in Chapter 54 fundraising efforts is not a requirement for scholarship award but could make a difference among competitive candidates.

An applicant to the EAA Air Academy for a summer camping experience may only indicate that they will be sponsored by EAA Chapter 54 in that application if they have been informed so by email or in writing by a member of the EAA Ch.54 Board of Directors before they apply to the EAA Air Academy.

Academy camp spots usually fill up by the end of September or shortly after, after which applicants can choose to join a waiting list.  A $200 deposit is requested by the EAA Academy for accepted applicants.  The Chapter 54 scholarship does not cover this deposit. It is the responsibility of the applicant or their family.  If a chapter scholarship applicant does not receive a Chapter 54 scholarship, they can still apply with EAA for camp and apply for an EAA Campership directly with the national EAA organization, which the EAA is sometimes able to provide usually as partial tuition support.

Chapter funds may be available for scholarship later in the year if no youth have applied for a scholarship by September, or if the Chapter has experienced an unexpected influx of donor contributions.  Inquire with Chapter 54 if any scholarship funds are available if an applicant gains admittance to a camp later in the year.

Chapter 54 requests that scholarship recipients participate in several ways after the summer camp experience:

1. Participate in the annual chapter fundraiser (August Pancake Breakfast) by sharing some photos and memories of your experience with visitors at the chapter information table at that event.

2. Share some photos and memories of your experience with Chapter 54 members at the September or October chapter member meeting.

For additional information, contact us.

Thanks for your interest in EAA Air Academy!