Summer Academic Enrichment Eligible Programs

Goals

The purpose of Minnesota Aviation Career Education Camp (MN ACE Camp) is educational: To teach, guide, and encourage high school students interested in careers in the aviation and aerospace industries. This includes, but is not limited to:

-Providing hands-on activities and unique experiences that engage students in aviation and aerospace subjects; -Facilitating mentorship opportunities between industry experts and students interested in aviation and aerospace; -Developing the value and self-esteem of each individual participant, and; -Creating a positive atmosphere where camaraderie, inclusiveness, accountability, learning, and respect are valued.

MN ACE Camp’s mission is to expose high school students to careers in aviation and aerospace, independent of the student's background, financial ability, culture, or any other obstacle they may face. Our relationship with each individual student begins with a week-long, residential summer camp that exposes students to all facets of aviation in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area, continues with their professional exploration and culminates in the student finding their desired path within aviation and aerospace. The students’ exposure during our week-long camp is a unique and interesting interface with STEM education through aviation and aerospace.

MN ACE Camp’s hands-on, activities-based approach is intended to help break down barriers and to show the world of aviation within reach for each and every student. The personal relationships formed with our staff and other industry professionals during the week make career paths understandable and relatable. During our program’s graduation ceremony, students are able to share what they learned and share the excitement of their journey with loved ones.

Activities

MN ACE Camp's week-long, activity-based schedule explores and highlights the many different possibilities of aviation careers. This includes, but is not limited to giving students experience in and access to: glider, helicopter and airplane flights; multiple full-motion flight simulators, tours of Air Force bases, multiple Air Traffic Control facilities including the MSP Tower, the MSP Air Route Traffic Control Center, aerospace engineering programs and firms; multiple aircraft maintenance hangars; airport and airline operations tours through the MSP Metropolitan Airports Commission and Delta Air Lines, flight attendant training, FAA technical operations, and much more.

Students are encouraged to and are naturally excited to interact with the wide range of activities they are exposed to over the course of the week. MN ACE Camp’s 100% volunteer staff and leadership are comprised of aviation and aerospace professionals with many years of experience in many different disciplines, for example: pilots, air traffic controllers, flight attendants, mechanics, airport operations management, FAA technical operations, etc. Our staff and leadership take an active role in getting to know each student and help them craft and further understand the individual interests that they experience during the week.

Just as importantly, each camp has thirty students who create their own peer groups and lean on each other for many years to come. Many of our current volunteers and leadership were once students who returned to MN ACE Camp to give back after they had established their own careers.

Program Dates

June 16-June 28. There will be two individual camps, each will be Sunday-Friday.

Can students reside on campus? Yes

Can students commute to campus? No

Can students take online classes? No