Annual Aviation Camporee Brings Scout to Fantasy of Flight

Earning their aviation merit badges will be an experience that hundreds of Boy Scouts will never forget, as they gather at Central Florida's premier aviation attraction, Fantasy of Flight, for the attraction's Second Annual Aviation Camporee, Friday, March 5 through Sunday, March 7, 2010.

To help the Scouts celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, Fantasy of Flight will present the attraction's Second Annual Aviation Camporee where scouts can earn their aviation merit badges with the help of skilled aviation experts.

Throughout the action-packed weekend in March, the boys will practice their primitive camping skills while participating in a variety of educational and immersive aviation-themed activities. The Scouts not only will tour Fantasy of Flight and visit real working aircraft maintenance and restoration areas, but also have the chance to talk with aviation mechanics, restoration specialists, and pilots by participating in a variety of special merit badge stations. They also will experience a number of simulators such as piloting a hot air balloon, flying a hang-glider or taking the controls in the cockpit of a real Corsair fighter. In honor of the 100th anniversary of scouting, a special giant scale R/C aircraft demonstration will be performed, courtesy of the Mid-Florida R/C Club.

As a former Boy Scout, Fantasy of Flight creator and founder Kermit Weeks is especially excited to help young Scouts launch their dreams, whatever they may be. "As a young man, I had big dreams, and certainly looked to role models to help me fulfill those dreams. It's my privilege and honor to help foster the hopes and aspirations of today's youth," said Weeks. "I want to encourage these young men to push their boundaries and strive to be all that they can be."

Weeks is not only the creator and founder of the attraction, he is a former world aerobatics champion, airplane designer and children's book author. In 2008, he won a Bronze IPPY Award in the 13th Annual Independent Publisher Book Awards for his children's book, "All of Life is a School" (KWIP Publishing, $19.95).

Cost of the Camporee weekend is $28 per person plus tax. The $28 rate includes admission to Fantasy of Flight, specially tailored tours and Scout merit badge stations, activities, campsite and lunch on Saturday. Reservations are required and admission is limited.

For more information, call 863-984-3500 or visit www.fantasyofflight.com.