NBAA’s Howard Introduces Young Women to Careers in Aviation

July 9, 2015

For the past 17 years, a unique summer camp in the Arizona desert has brought the joy and exhilaration of aviation – as well as the career and educational opportunities – to a group of young women. Each year, Discover Aviation Camp introduces about 20 students, ages 13 to 18, to the many facets of aviation, including: air traffic control, helicopter operations, aviation training and higher education, airport management, business aviation and more.

According to camp coordinator Stacy Howard, NBAA’s Western regional representative, there is no other camp like it.

“Discover Aviation is a collaborative project of the Phoenix Ninety-Nines and the Arizona Cactus Pine Girl Scout Council,” said Howard, who has led the camp since its inception in 1999. “We partner with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Guidance Aviation, FAA Air Traffic Control Prescott and the local EAA Chapter and introduce the girls to the world of aviation as both an avocation and career.”

Over the years, the camp has also taken hundreds of girls up for their first flying lesson – the highlight of every camp – thanks to the support of Embry-Riddle.

At the six-day resident program, the students meet industry professionals, explore how airplanes are built and learn about the wide variety of aviation careers, from aeronautical engineer to pilot to air traffic controller. Their days are a mixture of classroom instruction, films, field trips, guest speakers and role playing, as well as more traditional camp activities such as sports, evening campfires and cookouts. Vanessa Roman, a counselor at this year’s program, attended the camp in 2008, and as a result is now studying Air Traffic Management at Arizona State University.

“My passion for aviation and airplanes started through the Discover Aviation program,” said Roman. “At the camp I learned so many amazing and interesting things about airplanes and flying. My ultimate goal is to be a pilot.”

Howard said that the Discover Aviation program enables her to give back to the aviation community, “which has been so good to me.” What’s more, added Howard, “The industry needs these girls, many of whom have great leadership abilities.”