Hundreds of Scouts Converge on Attraction to Participate in Hands-On, Immersive Activities among World's Largest Private Collection of Vintage Planes

POLK CITY, Fla. (Sept. 18, 2012) – Boy Scouts of all ages, both troops and individuals, are once again invited to share in the excitement of earning their American Heritage badge with the help of aviation experts at the home of the World’s Greatest Aircraft Collection™, Fantasy of Flight. The attraction will host its Fourth Annual Boy Scout Aviation Camporee, Friday, Oct. 5 through Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012.

Throughout the weekend, the Scouts will participate in educational and immersive aviation-themed activities while learning about the attraction’s more than 40 rare and vintage aircraft. They will visit real working aircraft maintenance and restoration areas and have the chance to talk with aviation mechanics, restoration specialists, and pilots as they participate in a variety of special merit badge stations. The Mid-Florida R/C Club will present a special R/C flying demonstration as part of the weekend festivities.

Since the Camporee’s inception four years ago, Fantasy of Flight has hosted thousands of Boy Scouts, who come not only to earn badges and explore vintage aircraft but also to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow Scouts and practice their primitive camping skills.

“There is no better place to get the aviation merit badge than Fantasy of Flight because aviation is what they do,” said Lynn Brown, scout master of Nokomis, Fla.-based Boy Scout troop 1001. “Some places try to accomplish the program with printed materials, pictures and write-ups, but to actually be there is definitely another dimension of learning that really boosts it up. When Kermit fires up the Mustang, it doesn’t get much better than that. There are enough different stations and activities provided so there is something for everyone. They can make their own planes or hear talks about the history behind them. There’s something of real interest for everyone.”

As a former Boy Scout, Fantasy of Flight creator and founder Kermit Weeks is proud to provide a unique educational venue for scouts to immerse themselves in the world of aviation. “The Aviation Camporee is one of my favorite events of the year and one I am honored to host for the young men who have made the commitment to Boy Scouting,” said Weeks, who began a successful construction of an aircraft at the young age of seventeen. “Inspiring people, particularly our youth, to follow their dreams is our mission here at Fantasy of Flight, and I couldn’t think of a more receptive and eager audience than hundreds of Boy Scouts.”

Cost of the Camporee three-day, two-night weekend is $32 per person plus tax. The $32 rate includes unlimited admission to Fantasy of Flight, specially tailored tours and scout merit badge stations, activities, campsite and lunch on Saturday. Troops or individual scouts are invited. Individual scouts under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Reservations are required and admission is limited.

Additional Scouts American Heritage Camporees will be held in 2013 during the following dates: Feb. 22-24, May 17-19 and Sept. 27-29.