Expanded Youth Activities at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023
A new Youth Welcome Center that serves as the guidepost for all activities aimed at young people is the latest addition to the expanding list of youth activities at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023. The 70th edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s fly-in convention is July 24-30 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.
“Nearly all of us involved in aviation today were inspired at some point in our younger years,” said Paul Maloy, EAA’s director of education. “When we began welcoming those 18-and-under at no charge beginning in 2021, we immediately noticed an increase in the number of families at AirVenture. With that, we wanted to create a way to help them find all the available activities on grounds suitable for various age groups.”
The Youth Welcome Center, located at the busy Four Corners intersection just west of Boeing Plaza, will be the headquarters for sharing youth-oriented activities for all ages on the grounds, as well as important information for families ranging from restrooms and shade to ATMs and changing/nursing stations. In addition, several activities at the Center include an F-100 Super Sabre cockpit photo op, an RC airplane spotter activity, and a place to mark a visitor’s hometown. The Center will also have information on EAA’s many year-round youth education programs.
Other family-friendly locations on the AirVenture grounds include:
KidVenture - Located at the EAA Aviation Museum’s Pioneer Airport, this area allows young people to explore aviation from several different fronts. Learn how to fly a radio-controlled airplane, experience flight simulators, and learn aviation history. Highlights include A&P booths where kids learn basic building skills, a simulated B-25 flight experience, and life-size replicas of the Mercury 7 and Gemini 7 space capsules.
AeroEducate Center - Located at the south entrance to Aviation Gateway Park just northwest of the FAA Control Tower, the AeroEducate Center features activities for middle- and high-school youth. Along with EAA AeroEducate hands-on projects, there are NASA-supported activities, challenges from AeroEducate partners Airbus, United Airlines, and Siemens Technology, plus presentations on opportunities available in aviation and aerospace.
Flight Simulators - Flight simulators and other activities are available in both the Warbirds of America and Vintage Aircraft Association areas on the grounds.
In addition, numerous AirVenture exhibitors feature unique youth-focused displays and activities for young people at their locations. Free youth admission is sponsored by The Boeing Company.
