When a stark realization emerged in 2006 of the critical need to engage more youth in pursuing STEM careers, four prominent local leaders stepped up. Fueled by examples such as the United States Navy’s National Flight Academy in Florida and Space Camp in Alabama, they recruited solid community support and enlisted local STEM professionals as volunteers to bring Air Camp, Inc., to fruition in 2010.

“We are blessed to live in a region that has a rich array of organizations, programs, activities and assets that span the full range of aviation and aeronautics output,” said Dr. Vince Russo, co-founder and president of Air Camp, Inc. “Air Camp works in partnership with these organizations to achieve the important outcomes embodied in our vision and mission.”

Vince’s background as an engineer and retired senior executive for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, combined with that of the other co-founders, Dr. Tom Lasley, former dean of education for the University of Dayton, retired Lt. General Dick Reynolds, a former test pilot and senior United States Air Force commander, and Dan Sadlier, retired president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank’s Western Ohio division, set into motion one of the most exciting STEM offerings for youth and local educators locally and around the country.

From flying planes under the supervision of an FAA-certified instructor pilot, to constructing and operating small, powered aircraft models, participants are bused to different locations, such as the Dayton International Airport, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and three of the area’s colleges and universities. These interactive activities are just a sampling of Air Camp’s curriculum, which originally was designed in 2009 by a team of 10 educators, including six with terminal degree credentials.

“Though we’ve added and retired curriculum modules over our history, Air Camp has changed little since we launched, with ‘hands-on’ being the key feature and brand differentiator,” Dick Reynolds said. “We seek to design and deliver experiences that require our students and teachers to ‘do’ rather than just ‘watch.’”

The program initially hosted only middle school students but has since grown to include teachers, elementary school students in grades 4 to 6 and high schoolers. In 2023, Air Camp held 17 camp sessions for 500 students and 89 educators from 34 states with attendance numbers increasing each summer.

“If you consider each teacher who attends Air Camp can use the experience to inspire 75 to 150 students per year, and you add to that the number of students who attend our camps, in 2023 we had the opportunity to inspire nearly 14,000 students.” Tom Lasley said. “We are on a path that could reach 100,000 youth in a few years.”

To further this goal in 2023, the founders established the Air Camp Founders Scholarship through The Dayton Foundation. Currently, 15 to 20 percent of needs-based campers receive tuition scholarships. The designated fund awards an annual grant to help an additional middle school student, who may not otherwise be financially able, attend overnight camp.

“Thank you for your generosity and the opportunity to participate in Air Camp….In ten years, I cannot wait to show you what I have accomplished!”
– Lucas Estrada, Air Camp participant

“We’ve received nothing but exceptional support from The Dayton Foundation since our inception. In recent years, special projects involving facility planning, STEM workforce development, program growth, broader base fundraising and now this scholarship have been enabled with superb Dayton Foundation help,” Dan Sadlier said. “The Foundation staff is universally helpful and a genuine joy with which to do business.”

Lucas Estrada, who attended Air Camp thanks to assistance from the fund, was excited to learn about future career opportunities, including information about internships in the biomedical engineering field.

Middle school student Lucas Estrada traveled from El Paso, Texas, to attend Air Camp, thanks to the Air Camp Founders Scholarship fund.

“Thank you for your generosity and the opportunity to participate in Air Camp. I liked getting to know the people and learning the fundamentals of flight,” Lucas said. “I learned that in the Air Force, there are many opportunities for anyone with a passion for engineering. In ten years, I cannot wait to show you what I have accomplished!”

Inspiring students like Lucas to pursue their STEM passions is at the heart of Air Camp’s mission. The nonprofit organization hopes to continue its work with other local organizations to positively impact Greater Dayton in the same way that Space Camp has impacted Huntsville, Alabama.

“Greater Dayton has a solid array of STEM programs,” Vince Russo said. “We sincerely hope the community recognizes our impact alongside these organizations in inspiring the next generation of technical leaders in our community and beyond.”

Learn More about the Air Camp Founders and How Their Work is Impacting Students and Schools