WS Chronicle

Jim Shaw’s ACE (Aviation Career Education) Academy is partnering with Forsyth Technical Community College for expanded offerings in the future.

The summer camp teaches young people about aviation and potential careers in that field. This year’s camp will have its opening ceremony at 8 a.m. at Smith Reynolds Airport on Liberty Street and will then be held at Ibraham Elementary School, 5036 Old Walkertown Road. The camp will take place for middle school students from June 18-22 and for high school students from June 25-28 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for all students.

The camp features field trips, a flight simulator, a look at aircraft construction and the opportunity to fly an aircraft with an experienced pilot.

Next year, the camp will be held at Forsyth Tech as part of a new partnership. Plans are, in addition to the regular camp, ACE Academy will hold monthly meetings for students on aviation topics. ACE founder and airport commissioner Jim Shaw said he hopes to have 100 students from all over the county at the meetings.

“What we’re trying to do here is show these kids that there’s a decent living in aviation,” said Shaw. “You don’t have to be a pilot, you don’t have to be a mechanic. There’re a lot of jobs in aviation.”

Forsyth Tech Dean of Engineering and Technology Todd Bishop said the camp is a great way to encourage young people to take careers that are vital to the future of aviation.

“The best thing you can do is get to these kids in middle school, and plant the seed, and I think that’s what Mr. Shaw’s summer camp will do: It will plant the seed and get kids to think about the other career options available out there,” said Bishop.

Forsyth Tech is using 2016 bond money to build an Aviation Career Development Center at Smith Reynolds Airport, where college students will learn how to work on the mechanical body of planes. Construction is expected to begin next year and be finished in 2020. Shaw said he plans to incorporate the new center into the camp once it’s completed.

The camp is $125 per student and includes two meals and an afternoon snack. Visit shawaceacademy.com or call (336) 306-8145 for more information or to sign up for the camp.