On July 7 & 8 and July 9 & 10 the Bowling Green Warren County Regional Airport in collaboration with the Aviation Museum of Kentucky held its annual aviation summer camps with 70 students in attendance.
The camps are named after two generous, gracious donors who play a crucial role in enhancing the camp experience for many children in our community who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend. Their support is not just a gift but a significant investment in the campers’ futures. We extend our heartfelt gratitude and are extremely thankful for your commitment to helping us create a positive change in our community.
Jim and Jan Bohannon and Larry and Mona Beam are the namesakes of our 2025 aviation summer camps, as well as long-time supporters.
Aviation summer camps began at BWG in 2005, and they continue to inspire youth toward a path in aviation. In attending these classes, students begin creating a tailored approach to their future by being introduced to local organizations and resources available to the aviation community. These camps offer a variety of hands-on activities, educational sessions, and simulations to engage students with the science, technology, engineering, and mathematic (STEM) concepts behind flight.
BWG has a strong aviation community and an abundance of Veterans and volunteers who strive to get today’s youth engaged and involved in the future of aviation. By sparking curiosity and fostering a passion for aviation, these camps and volunteers play a vital role in encouraging young people to pursue careers in the aviation and aerospace industries.
We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to everyone who showed us their unwavering support during our camps. Your kindness and commitment have made a profound difference in our journey, and we are eager to continue these partnerships for years to come.
THANK YOU:
Aviation Museum of Kentucky for continuing to provide these camps! https://aviationky.org
Staff, teachers, and interns from the Museum: To our friends, Shelia, Kurt, Cal, Rachel, Andrew & Margie, thank you for your dedication to teaching children about aviation and making this year’s camp run so proficiently! You make aviation fun and engaging for all ages!
Flywell Aviation: Justin thank you for your willingness to always help with our endeavors. And thank you for continuing to provide flights for aviation summer camps. Reece and Miles thank you so much for accommodating the staff and getting all the campers flown with the chance of impending weather. Reece and Miles made such a connection with our campers! Their support and encouragement made so much of a difference. We are grateful to work with you all! https://www.flywellaviation.com/
Kyle Baker Foundation: Wes & Sheri Baker thank you for your ongoing support and generous donation towards snacks and swag bags for each camper! Your generous sponsorship has made a tremendous impact on our summer camps. We can’t thank you enough for supporting and investing in our aviation summer camps. It’s an honor to keep Kyle’s memory alive at BWG. Thank you also for securing Slim Chickens lunch for all campers on Wednesday.https://kylebakerfoundation.com/
Co-Mar Aviation: Thank you for continued support of our summer camps. We are thankful for your fueling staff, because those quick fuel turns made all the difference in getting the kids flown before the impending weather set in. https://www.comaraviation.com/
Robbie McLellan, and Jessie Cogar, thank you for letting us invade your space and talking to campers about aircraft maintenance and all the different aspects of the job. Thank you for sharing your knowledge about working on airplanes, and how to keep them airworthy, and safe. Also thank you for sharing your insight on how to become an aircraft mechanic with the campers.
Aviation Heritage Park: Bob Bubnis, Arnie Franklin, Amy Disparte, Larry Beam, and Ray Buckberry. Thank you for your time, generosity, and providing the tour of planes and the museum. Your sincere service reflects your dedication to the park and museum, and it is an inspiration for others. https://www.aviationheritagepark.com/
Warren County Regional Jail: Jailer Stephen Harmon, Captain Jeff Bryant, and Major Amir Ziga. Thank you for providing transportation to and from AHP again this year, despite an extremely busy week. Without you all we wouldn’t be able to offer this tour! Your thoughtfulness has helped us tremendously and it truly means so much to us! https://www.warrencountyjail.com/
Air Evac Lifeteam: Bob Rowland, Ross Noble, Pilot, Richard Neighbors, Flight Paramedic, Cassie Eden, Flight Nurse. Thank you for flying in and educating our campers on your aircraft and jobs. Thank you for letting them explore the helicopter and answering all their questions. Thank you for your dedication to keeping our community safe, your service is deeply appreciated. https://www.lifeteam.net/)
Civil Air Patrol: Major Janet Bryant, Major Harvey Diven, Commander KY-057, and Major Dave Anderson – Pilot KY-057 and 1st Lieutenant Jeff Bidwell, Aerospace Officer KY-300 Cadet Squadron. Thank you for your time and speaking to our campers about what CAP has to offer. Sharing your stories of how you became acclimated with aviation, sparked thoughtful dialogue and meaningful engagement with our campers on ways to fund their aviation dreams. https://kywg.cap.gov/
Thank you to these restaurants and their staff for their donations and/or discounts, prep time, delivery of food for the campers, teachers, interns, and staff. No one left hungry and all the campers were excited about our food choices!
Chick-fil-a – Andy Robinson & Amy Richey! Thank you for continuing to be an aviation summer camp sponsor. We are incredibly thankful for your generous contribution and the opportunity to collaborate with you. https://www.chick-fil-a.com/
Slim Chickens – Andy Baker! Thank you for working with the Kyle Baker Foundation and us by providing lunch for all the campers. We are thankful to have made the connection and look forward to future endeavors. https://slimchickens.com/)
Pizza Hut – Tina Blankenship & Eric! Thank you for continuing to sponsor our aviation summer camps. We are grateful for this long-time partnership with you all. https://www.pizzahut.com/
Jamie Carnes – Thank you for continuing to volunteer at our aviation summer camps. The campers thoroughly enjoy going to your hangar and discussing all things aviation. Your donation of time is an incredible show of support, and we are so thankful for your generosity.
Myron Callaham & Dorian Walker – Thank you both for your time and speaking to campers about the Curtis Robin. Your generosity and support mean the world to us, and we truly appreciate you. https://www.facebook.com/friendsofvintageflight/
We would like to take a moment to personally reach out and express our deepest gratitude for all other sponsors of our aviation summer camps. Your generosity and support mean the world to our camps, and we truly appreciate your contributions: Aero Aviation Associates, LLC, Briarwood Communication Solutions, Broderick and Davenport, PLLC, CHA, Delta Nu Alpha, Dr. Harold & Cassandra Little, Executive Fitness Club, Independence Bank, and Jeff Nemec.
