Fantasy of Flight American Heritage Camporee

This fall, Boy Scouts will have the rare opportunity to relive one of America's proudest eras through the eyes of the very men who lived it. From Friday, Sept. 23 through Sunday, Sept. 25, Fantasy of Flight will hold its inaugural Boy Scouts American Heritage Camporee, a brand new event providing scouts the chance to meet and talk with decorated World War II veterans amidst actual planes flown in the war, part of the world's largest collection of rare and vintage aircraft. The weekend's activities will help scouts earn requirements toward their American Heritage and Aviation merit badges, among others.

This is not the first time that Fantasy of Flight has set the stage to help scouts earn merit badges. The attraction hosted its 3rd Annual Aviation Camporee March 18-20, 2011 and has hosted more than 1000 Boy Scouts since its inception. Inviting World War II veterans to share their compelling stories is nothing new for the attraction either... This year Fantasy of Flight expanded its popular Legends & Legacies Symposium Series to feature veterans who served on D-Day and at Pearl Harbor, veterans groups including the Tuskegee Airmen and the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), as well as heroes from WWII who served on the ground protecting and supporting the men and women in flight.

As a former Boy Scout, Fantasy of Flight creator and founder Kermit Weeks is proud to provide a unique educational venue for scouts to immerse themselves in the captivating world of aviation and American history. "We are proud to expand our scouting program to include requirements toward the American Heritage merit badge as well as the Aviation merit badge, in a hand-on, interactive and totally immersive way," said Weeks. "Even more so, we're eager to unite what's been called the 'Greatest Generation' with the leaders of tomorrow, face-to-face, veteran-to-scout, in a way that is rarely, if ever, done. This is an incredible opportunity for scouts to hear firsthand from real live American heroes who fought for our freedom."

The American Heritage Camporee includes three days and two nights of primitive camping at Fantasy of Flight; unlimited admission to Central Florida's premier aviation attraction; as well as lunch on Saturday and all activities and merit stations. Troops or individual scouts are invited. Individual scouts under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Reservations are required and space is limited. Cost is $30 per person, plus tax. To register, contact Stephanie Conner, 863-984-3500, ext. 220

The "Legends & Legacies Symposium Series" featured six topics scheduled for 2011. One remaining topic included "The Great Escape: Heroes Underground," Oct. 14-15. All symposiums are included with daily general admission and are free for all Annual Pass holders. Call 863-984-3500 or go to www.fantasyofflight.com for more information. Also on the calendar for 2011 is the 5th Annual Roar n' Soar, November 12-13.