Drone Flight School at summer camp

[RememberSchiff]

Camp Geronimo (Grand Canyon Council) will offer a Drone Flight School during two sessions --- June 6-12 and June 13-19.

Kids 13 years and older will learn about the physics of aviation while building and flying his or her own custom Modit Drone System*.

“We are excited to launch the first Scout Drone Flight School camp option in the United States located right here in Arizona,” said GCC BSA Camp Director Alan Chambers in a prepared statement. “We believe that this will be one of our most popular offerings and we look forward to welcoming Scouts from all states.”

 

 

https://www.yourvalley.net/paradise-valley-independent/stories/boy-scouts-of-america-grand-canyon-council-offers-drone-flight-school-at-payson-camp,231493

https://www.grandcanyonbsa.org/2021/04/14/drone-flight-school/

Why did Geronimo Chose to use the Modit™ Drone System?

The Modit™ Drone System is designed to build increasing flight proficiency among participants over time. They will start at the Beginner Level and learn the basics. At these early stages, youth are unable to access advanced features and high-performance modes so that they don’t get ahead of their skill-set. As participants master the beginner level, they are able to move to the Intermediate Level, unlocking more flight modes and capabilities. From there, they can continue through to the Advanced and Expert Levels that offer so many cool opportunities. The units are also fully customizable and we have some really amazing modifications in mind for the future. This System contains a user assembled airframe, all the electronics needed to operate the drone, including a battery and battery charger, and a Radio Controller hand-held device. Key Features include:

• A 4-propeller quad-copter that is capable of high performance maneuvers, speeds up to 15 mph, and a flight range over 1,000 feet form the operator
• A built in GPS for position tracking and flight stabilization.
• Automated functions such as auto take off, landing, return to takeoff point.
• An integrated camera capable of streaming video of what the drone sees and taking still photos.
• The Modit™ Drone System can be customized by the user and it is only drone on the market that can be repaired by the user after serious crashes.

A phone-based Modit™ application acts as the ground station for the drone, including displaying video from the on-board camera, drone information and sending commands to the drone from the user. This application also accesses a library of training materials and instructions on everything from how a drone flies, to how to assembly and build a drone, to learning flight maneuvers, etc.

*BSA owns Modit trademark

https://uspto.report/TM/90517994

[T2Eagle]

You know, leaders need things to occupy themselves all week too.  Any mention of having an adult session?

[RememberSchiff]

5 hours ago, T2Eagle said:

You know, leaders need things to occupy themselves all week too.  Any mention of having an adult session?

How true.  As I understand, Modit is a pilot (first run) program for kids this summer.  However,  I could see an age-appropriate version called Throwit for adults using the Throwit Jetfire System below. 

 

Back in the day, these were sold at our camp store. Fun!

Edited May 5, 2021 by RememberSchiff

[RememberSchiff]

With Ingenuity flying on Mars, this pilot program could not have better timing.

Moving forward, IMHO adventure could be part outdoor explorer and part tech maker. I prefer "maker" (hands-on) to STEM (academic?). At summer camps, I could see a variety of maker workshops (no MB's) at summer camps with say 4-8 scouts in each workshop. The workshops may be related to camp maintenance, attending adult skills,  and scout interests.

The cane webbing seats on my Old Town are blown out and I asked my scouts what should I do. Their answers

(looks just like mine except pine needles missing, photo from https://canoemuseum.ca/ccm-from-home/)

   1. Get a new canoe ( Ugh. What happen to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recover?)

   2. Get a new seat (about $40,  )

3. Fix it.  (Now we're talking). Yeah stuff a jacket in it

Anyway for example, a workshop on webbing (paracord, nylon webbing,etc)  to repair above or similar projects, make pack straps, belts. Hands-on.

Kids are being taught to buy new or pay someone else to fix it.  Scouts develop the maker mindset and are taught the skills to ReUse and be Thrifty.

My saved $0.02,

 

Edited May 5, 2021 by RememberSchiff
grammar

[gpurlee]

This drone camp looks like a lot of fun. Our troop's experience has been that Scouts are really engaged in these STEM projects and they provide great hands on experiences. They also provide very positive public relations opportunities and are a valuable recruitment tool. 

Our troop has work to integrate STEM activities into our troop program on several occasions. Some of our activities have included:

Launching a camera equipped weather balloon during a total solar eclipse

Sending a balloon to an altitude of over 100,000 feet. You can clearly see the curvature of the Earth. 

Launching a balloon that circled the globe twice (we attach a solar powered tracking transmitter)

HAM radio classes to help Scouts earn their amateur radio license. 

 

https://www.newsandtribune.com/multimedia/photos-boy-scouts-visit-tunnel-mill-on-saturday/collection_8a76c3e4-b6d4-11e7-9478-ff8cda9937cf.html#1

https://www.newsandtribune.com/news/jeffersonville-boy-scouts-troop-headed-south-for-solar-eclipse/article_6a79747a-8456-11e7-be6b-43a047b6bc60.html

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10154283260948889

[MattR]

The drone sounds like great fun. I hope they have lots of extra props 😉.

The maker space also sounds like a good idea. We have push cart parts the scouts really enjoy. The frame and wheels are standard and they can add simple things like push bars and decorations. It's kind of the big kid version of the pinewood derby. Helmets required so they enjoy it.