The Founding Board Consisted Of Females From The United States Air Force
While roaming the grounds at Sun n Fun 2023, we ran into Madisen Kunkel, Marketing & Fundraising Director + Board Member of Preflight Aviation Camp, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded circa 2016, whose mission is to “transform beliefs about gender roles and inspire young girls to takeoff into their future.”
The organization provides hands-on approach to the five (STEAM) pillars of exploration (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) under the umbrella of aviation over the course of days for girls aged 11-14. Camp sessions are capped at 20 participants, so all have ample time to engage in the various activities.
Across their sites in Texas and Colorado, Preflight Aviation Camp (PAC) essentially “pre-flights” the young girls into aviation by engages the youth through mentorship to build self-esteem, empowerment, and inspiration to help them achieve their goals. The learners go through ‘ground school’ learning much of what a private pilot would study: airspace, aerodynamics, weather, weight & balance, and so on. PAC further cements ‘representation’ and ‘role models’ through their use of professional female pilots as counselors (military and airline pilots), and also in the flight environment with their stable of female flight instructors (fixed-wing, hang-glider).
Interestingly, the founding board consisted of females from the United States Air Force, and they saw an opportunity to connect with and inspire your females to consider making a home in aviation and aerospace, and further break the mold of “gender biases” in what is still a majority male field. Former campers ages 15 and up and invited to apply to return as junior counselors, which also serves to shorten the “age relativity and relatability” of the camp participants. The “application” process requires prospective counselors to go through an interview process which also serves to prepare them with real-world skills!
PAC has put 76 campers through their paces, despite the COVID interruption, and has plans to expand campsite to include Florida in 2024! PAC also engages in post-cam mentoring and interacts with other youth-oriented organizations such as Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD) with Women In Aviation International (WAI), the Civil Air Patrol, and EAA.
Fun fact: Madisen Kunkel is a graduate of the “Destination 225°” pathway program to Southwest Airlines!
