Summer Programs

I am a sophomore in high school right now, going to be a rising junior this summer. I applied to USNA Summer STEM and Marines SLCDA. I haven't heard from either, and I am doubtful I got into STEM but still hopeful about SLCDA. If I don't get into either, I still want to do something military or service academy related this summer. I looked at Air Force Academy and West Point, but all they had were programs for rising seniors. If you know of anything, please reply! I am desperate.

I have been an EAA volunteer for about ten years, so my vote would be to spend a week at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. (July 20th - 26th). It is a terrific way to really grab a hold of some super STEM knowledge with all the daily workshops, like welding, sheet metal work, fabric covering, composite fabrication, aeromodeling and woodworking. Camp for a week and you will be learning from sunrise to midnight every day. It's very affordable and the military presence is strong. And it is a blast! You do not need a reservation... just show up. (but do plan your trip well!)

http://www.eaa.org/en/airventure

And if you are interested in the EAA Air Academy, there are scholarships available. But APPLY ASAP. Both my children have attended the Young Eagle Academies on scholarships and they loved it.

http://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/aviation-...eaa-air-academy/eaa-air-academy-advanced-camp

May your summer be fun!

@blueplate99
Do you have any US Navy Sea Cadet Corps programs in your area? They have activities during the summer and throughout the year.

Midwest said:

I have been an EAA volunteer for about ten years, so my vote would be to spend a week at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. (July 20th - 26th). It is a terrific way to really grab a hold of some super STEM knowledge with all the daily workshops, like welding, sheet metal work, fabric covering, composite fabrication, aeromodeling and woodworking. Camp for a week and you will be learning from sunrise to midnight every day. It's very affordable and the military presence is strong. And it is a blast! You do not need a reservation... just show up. (but do plan your trip well!)

http://www.eaa.org/en/airventure

And if you are interested in the EAA Air Academy, there are scholarships available. But APPLY ASAP. Both my children have attended the Young Eagle Academies on scholarships and they loved it.

http://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/aviation-...eaa-air-academy/eaa-air-academy-advanced-camp

May your summer be fun!

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I'm a college freshman, but I just took a look at that site. That looks cool. Hands-on skills are so important to learn. I learned oxyacetylene, TIG, MIG, stick and aluminum welding in HS. Really good to know. @blueplate99, even if you aren't applying to a SA, this still looks fun.

mdn18 - If you are thinking about attending EAA - arrive early, plan to stay for a week and bring a tent or whatever to Camp Scholler (unless you fly-in with a plane). About 50,000 or so people camp and it becomes a community in itself. It's an awesome place to meet people from all over the world. It you want to make the most out of the week, plan to be up early and go to bed late. Recruit some family, relatives and friends and go for it.

http://www.eaa.org/en/airventure/ea...osh/2013-07-28-around-the-field-camp-scholler

Also, we used to host about 6 - 10 high school students at our campsite every year. In order to stay at our campsite, they had to volunteer for some activity at EAA, which they ended up really enjoying. Several of the students have gone on to become mechanical engineers, joined the military (my ds became a Naval Airman) and build their own airplanes, which they brought to AirVenture. They said the difference in attending the hands-on workshops at EAA is that they got caught up in the excitement with the other attendees (of all ages) and it didn't feel like a high school "go very slow" workshop. They spent hours before AirVenture planning in advance where they were going to hang out every day. Of course they also just hung out and watched the planes soar by.
http://www.eaa.org/en/airventure/features-and-attractions/eaa-airventure-workshops-and-presentations/workshop--forums-photo-gallery/av-2014-180

In my opinion, AirVenture is the kind of education that fuels the dreamers.... such as Burt & Dick Rutan... who will be there for the 40th Anniversary of the Voyager that flew nonstop around the world without refueling in 1985. http://www.eaa.org/eaa/event/Burt_Rutan_Legacy_Day?id=8E8615EA8E8641CC81E8B67FA100F045