The National Naval Aviation Museum, located at the Naval Air Station Pensacola, has opened registration for its Flight Adventure Deck (FAD) summer camps, a series of aviation and space-focused programs for students. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry to Naval Air Station Pensacola is through the West Gate, located at the south end of Blue Angel Parkway, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The camps build on the Foundation’s long-running Flight Adventure Deck program, which has introduced students to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through interactive learning for more than three decades. Three camp programs will be offered this summer: Aviation Camp, Space Exploration Camp, and Advanced Adventure Camp. The Aviation Camp focuses on the fundamentals of flight and naval aviation history. Participants will take part in hands-on activities such as building and launching gliders, parachutes, and rockets. The program also includes tours of museum exhibits and aircraft, as well as the National Flight Academy.
Daily flight simulator sessions are part of the schedule. Instruction is led by certified teachers and Naval officers. Two sessions of the Aviation Camp are scheduled for June 8 to 12 and June 22 to 26. The Space Exploration Camp introduces students to the science and history of spaceflight, including celestial mechanics and communications. Activities include building model rockets and working on a scaled model of the solar system. The program also features tours of museum exhibits, aircraft, and spacecraft. Space Exploration Camp sessions will run from July 6 to 10 and July 13 to 17.
An Advanced Adventure Camp will also be offered for returning participants. The program builds on the aviation and space camps with more complex engineering challenges. Students will design and build bridges, work with advanced flight simulators, and test more detailed models while participating in team-based activities. The camp is open only to students who have previously attended one of the summer programs.
Visitors 18 and older will need to show a valid government-issued photo ID, including a driver’s license or passport. Only clear tote or storage bags are allowed, along with small clutch purses roughly 4.5 by 6.5 inches. Medically necessary items and diaper bags can be brought in, but will be inspected. Drivers must carry a valid license, and foreign nationals must be escorted by a U.S. citizen when entering the base. Inside the museum, cashless payment is required. Attractions, including the Giant Screen Theater and flight simulators, are available daily, while the Cubi Bar Cafe operates Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A visitor information line is also available at 850-452-8450. For more information and to support the National Naval Aviation Museum, click on this link: navalaviationmuseum.org.
