Junior Camps
SSA puts on up to 2 major Cross Country and/or Contests Camps on the East Coast & West Coast each year.
CROSS-COUNTRY CAMPS
The Cross-Country Camps can be up to 6 days long depending on the host club and help our youth to take the next step after solo. Once the junior has earned their Bronze badge, the next phase is to try their wings and go cross country. This camp offers in-class instruction, providing materials giving the knowledge needed to head out from the field and go to another airport or field. These camps have duo sailplanes so the instructor is flying with the students for a safe experience.
CONTEST CAMPS
Contest Camps are designed for youth to experience competition flying. Camps can be held alongside Regional or Nationals contests. Juniors can fly in these contests either in their own sailplane or fly in duo sailplanes with highly experienced pilots. These contest camps usually ran no more than 6 or 7 days. It is a great opportunity to learn and fly with the best pilots; it is an experience that can change how one views soaring and the joy of what soaring is all about.
EVENT CAMPS
Event Camps are local camps that are put on by SSA Chapters/Clubs throughout the year. These Camps include a wide variety of topics; Wave Camp, Thermal Camp, Cross-Country Camp, etc. The Event Camp Grant Program began in 2020 and is designed for the Juniors who cannot take advantage of our two major camps. To make it affordable to everyone, SSA offers up to 10 SSA Junior Event Camp Grants every year to anyone under 26 years old! Grant recipients will receive $400.00 to help pay for entry fees, food and tows. Total costs for Event Camps vary depending on local Chapter/Clubs.
10 Event Camp Grants Awarded Every Year
CAMP FAQS
The students are usually flying every day depending on the weather. Daily goals of flying 2.5 hours and up to 150 miles are typical for cross-country camps.
The camps can run up to 7 days. The length of the camp depends on the host club.
The camps can be no more than 20 students.
For Camp Events, a mentor is an experienced pilot that the student is assigned to at the camp or an adult that is accompanying them during the camp.
For all camps, if a youth is under 18, they are required to be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or authorized chaperone for the duration of the camps.
The minimum age for cross country camps is 14 and the student must have already soloed. Students should have earned their A, B, C and Bronze badges in order to attend. Depending on the host club, the Bronze badge that maybe something the camp works on.
The minimum age for contest camps is 16 and would like to see they have their private pilot’s license. If a youth has their own glider they have to hold their private pilot’s license. All others will be flying duo. The duo sailplanes are usually owned by the host club and also privately by pilots willing to fly with the students.
Cross Country Camp Cost: $250.00 Entry Fee
This covers meals for up to 6 days, includes camping, shower and bathroom facilities. Also covers tow fees of up to $55.00 one per day for up to 6 days.
Contest Camp Cost: $250.00 Entry Fee
This covers meals for up to 7 days, includes camping, shower and bathroom facilities. Covers tow fees of up to $55.00 per day for up to 7 days. SSA sanction fee is waived.
Event Camp Cost: Vary
Event Camps are put on by local Chapter/Clubs and vary depending on the length and event topic.
GRANT RECIPIENTS
2020 Junior Camp Grants Recipients
This year four Junior pilots were sponsored by Caesar Creek Soaring Club and awarded Camp grants by the Soaring Society of America’s Junior Committee. The four recipients were: Michael Hayter Lucas Hoffman Kenny Kirk Viktor McElfresh
UPCOMING CAMPS
LASTEST CAMP NEWS
2020 CCSC Cross Country Camp
Caesar Creek Soaring Club in Waynesville, OH hosted a cross country soaring camp for young and old during August 3-7, 2020. The purpose of the camp was to allow experienced soaring pilots to take a small group of gliders out on course [...]
2020 Junior Camp Grants Recipients
This year four Junior pilots were sponsored by Caesar Creek Soaring Club and awarded Camp grants by the Soaring Society of America’s Junior Committee. The four recipients were: Michael Hayter Lucas Hoffman Kenny Kirk Viktor McElfresh
READY TO ATTEND A CAMP?
LOOKING TO HOST A CAMP?
Clubs looking to host a sanctioned Regional or National contest, hosting the junior contest alongside is a great way to make a successful event. In order for an SSA Chapter Club/Commercial operator to host one of these camps, you can complete the registration form.