BWI Marshall Airport’s 8th Annual Summer Youth Initiative Friday July 22nd – 26th

BWI Marshall Airport’s 8th Annual Summer Youth Initiative week-long full of activities ended on Friday with 52 students attended this year from Baltimore City Recreation & Parks.

“Lifetime of Discoveries”

On Monday, the campers arrived at BWI Marshall Airport with Ricky Smith Executive Director/CEO providing welcoming remarks. The campers then boarded buses to the Field Maintenance area where they climbed on the heavy equipment and participated by riding along in the Conga Line of snow removal equipment. From there they enjoyed a tour of the Signature Flight hangar. Then on to the airport’s maintenance building to learn more about the airport’s environmental sustainability practices. Lastly the campers enjoyed boarding a Southwest Airlines plane.

On Tuesday, the campers had the opportunity to sit at Ricky Smith’s desk and make an executive decision. Then it was off to the Air Traffic Control Tower.

Followed by a behind the scene tour at AMAZON Air/KBWI cargo facility. The day ended with a trip to the airport’s Fire & Rescue Department.

Wednesday the campers spent the day at CCBC where they were able to fly sophisticated drones and test out their flying abilities with the College’s flight simulators. They learned about robotics, logistics and automotive maintenance. Lastly, they enjoyed a relaxing presentation in the College’s planetarium.

Thursday the campers spent the day at Tipton Airport with a presentation by the Aviation Flight School, Medstar pilots, Anne Arundel County Police, Civil Air Patrol, and G-force avionics.

To close out the week, Keiva Rodrigues, Chief Operating Officer at BWI Marshal Airport, presented the campers with a certificate of completion. The campers heard from US Customs & Federal Air Marshals including a K-9 dog demonstration, the FBI, TSA and airport security, and MDTA Police. The afternoon included a tour of Atlas Air Boing 747-400, learning more about engineering and construction followed by a fun closing ceremony with games, photo booth, and more in the airport’s Observation Gallery.

The BWI Business Partnership would like to thank the sponsors and airport partners for their support and contribution in making this an impactful and memorable experience for the campers.

Photos credit; Eric Stocklin Photography.

BWI Marshall Airport – 8th Annual Summer Youth Initiative

Photo credit: Eric Stocklin Photography

2023 Summer Youth Initiative Closing Ceremony