BFA Youth Program Mission
The Mission of the BFA Youth Program is to encourage the natural curiosity of youth to pursue involvement in the lifelong sport of ballooning. The BFA Youth Program encourages and supports members to develop programs and activities to expand the knowledge of youth who want to learn more. BFA Youth Program activities are designed to nurture the skills and develop interpersonal connections that will connect youth to the balloon community and help them become pilots or crew thus ensuring the future of ballooning.
BFA Youth Summer Camp Programs
The BFA offers a variety of camp types. Use the tabs below for descriptions.
Basic Camp
Basic Camp - 5 to 6-day Sleep over Camp –Camp for those who want to have a traditional summer camp experience. Topics will include introduction to ballooning, safety, flight and pilot decision making skills. There will be field trips, time together for socialization and community building.
The BFA Basic Youth Balloon Camp is a program-oriented sleepover camp targeted for youth aged 13-17 who are interested in an introductory hands-on experience and exposure to hot air ballooning in a week long traditional summer camp format.
PREVIOUS BALLOONING EXPERIENCE IS NOT REQUIRED!
They will be mentored by FAA certified commercial pilots and staff who are focused on providing training and experiences in a safe environment. They will be working with various balloon systems including set-up, tethering and if weather permits, maybe even a flight. The focus will be to provide the campers with introductory level knowledge and skills to encourage them the expand their knowledge about hot air balloons and set them on a pathway to become crew members, educate them on how to become a pilot and encourage them to further participate in ballooning events and activities.
The BFA Basic Camp tuition covers all meals, housing, balloon activities, field trips and all the fun. Balloon camp is staffed by volunteers who are subject to background checks and trained to provide a safe and rewarding camp experience for all. To view Frequently Asked Questions about our youth protection policy CLICK FAQs.
A nonrefundable $100 registration fee is due now and the remaining $525 tuition balance will be due 35 days before start of camp, for a total of $625. Limited scholarships are available, see scholarship information below.
Day Camp
Day Camp –This 5–6-day camp has all the usual components of the daytime activities held during a Basic camp. The difference being that the campers will go home at the end of the day, saving the cost and logistics of sleepover arraignments.
PREVIOUS BALLOONING EXPERIENCE IS NOT REQUIRED!
They will be mentored by FAA certified commercial pilots and staff who are focused on providing training and experiences in a safe environment. They will be working with various balloon systems including set-up, tethering and if weather permits, maybe even a flight. The focus will be to provide the campers with introductory level knowledge and skills to encourage them the expand their knowledge about hot air balloons and set them on a pathway to become crew members, educate them on how to become a pilot and encourage them to further participate in ballooning events and activities.
They will be mentored by FAA certified commercial pilots and staff who are focused on providing training and experiences in a safe environment. They will be working with various balloon systems including set-up, tethering and if weather permits, maybe even a flight. The focus will be to provide the campers with introductory level knowledge and skills to encourage them the expand their knowledge about hot air balloons and set them on a pathway to become crew members, educate them on how to become a pilot and encourage them to further participate in the week long BFA Jr Balloonist Camps.
As a day camp the campers will join the staff each morning at camp facilities, participate with the pilots, crew, counselors’ instructors throughout the day and return to their parents/guardians in the afternoon. There will be NO OVERNIGHT LODGING OR FUNCTIONS.
The BFA Day Camp tuitions covers all meals, balloon activities, field trips and all the fun. Balloon camp is staffed by volunteers who are subject to background checks and trained to provide a safe and rewarding camp experience for all. To view Frequently Asked Questions about our youth protection policy CLICK FAQs.
A nonrefundable $100 registration fee is due now and the remaining $185 tuition balance will be due 35 days before start of camp, for a total of $285. Limited scholarships may be available, see scholarship information below. NOT ALL DAY CAMPS OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS.
Event Camp
Event Camp – Typically this is a camp separate, but part of an existing ballooning event. Campers may have separate activities throughout the day yet joining the event for flying activities. The event management and the camp director coordinate event flying activities. The event designates a few balloons to work with the campers or allow additional pilots to be brought in to accommodate the campers, giving them the opportunity to crew and fly in the balloons.
The BFA Event Youth Balloon Camp is a program-oriented day camp targeted for youth aged 13-17 who are interested in an introductory hands-on experience and exposure to hot air ballooning in a day camp format. Parents are encouraged to participate alongside their children if desired.
PREVIOUS BALLOONING EXPERIENCE IS NOT REQUIRED!
They will be mentored by FAA certified commercial pilots and staff who are focused on providing training and experiences in a safe environment. They will be working with various balloon systems including set-up, tethering and if weather permits, maybe even a flight. The focus will be to provide the campers with introductory level knowledge and skills to encourage them the expand their knowledge about hot air balloons and set them on a pathway to become crew members, educate them on how to become a pilot and encourage them to further participate in the week long BFA Jr Balloonist Camps.
The $100 Youth Camp tuition covers meals (post-flight breakfast and lunch), balloon activities, field trips and all the fun. The balloon camp is staffed by volunteers that are trained to provide a safe and rewarding camp experience for all. Any volunteer or staff member that will have one-on-one exposure to the campers will undergo a background check from the BFA’s background check provider.
As a day camp the campers will join the staff each morning at camp facilities, participate with the pilots, crew, counselors’ instructors throughout the day and return to their parents/guardians in the afternoon. There will be NO OVERNIGHT LODGING OR FUNCTIONS.
The BFA Event Youth Balloon Camp has endorsed and will follow the BFA’s Youth protection policy as it pertains to the day camp format.
Camp Registration Process
March 1 - Online Camp Registration opens - Camp Registration requires a $100 Camp Registration fee to hold your spot in camp. This fee is nonrefundable unless selected camp has reached capacity.
March 1-14 - Youth who have not attended a BFA Youth Camp have priority acceptance.
March 15-21 - Campers who have attended BFA Youth Camp in previous years but are registering for a different camp location will be given priority acceptance at that location
March 22 - All campers will be considered for camp acceptance at any camp location given space and payment of registration fee.
90 days before camp - Campers will be informed of their registration status. After 90 days campers can only register if space is available.
80 days before camp - All scholarship essays and letters of recommendation are due to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
65 days before camp - Campers will be informed of scholarship status. All campers who have camp tuition balance due, will be invoiced.
35 days before camp - Full camp tuition due or spot in camp may be forfeited.
Scholarships
The Balloon Federation of America grants a limited number of scholarships for youth attending BFA Youth camps. In addition, many local balloon clubs and service organizations provide varying levels of scholarships for campers. Contact balloonists in your area to see if local scholarships are available.
If you wish to apply for a national scholarship, these are the requirements.
- Campers must pay the nonrefundable camp registration fee to be considered for a scholarship.
- Campers must write a 200-500 word essay on one of the following topics.
- Why do you want to attend a BFA Youth Balloon Camp?
- What does the sport of ballooning mean to you?
- Email completed essay toThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the name of the camper and the camp location attending 80 days before camp date.
- Provide a letter of recommendation from a non-family member. This can be someone associated with ballooning or a teacher, coach or other adult familiar with the camper. This letter should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the name of the camper and camp location attending 80 days before camp date.
- Essays and letter of recommendation must be received 80 days before camp date to be considered for scholarship award.
- Any additional applications and scholarships received 80 days before camp date will be awarded based on need, requirements met and timeliness of application.
- Camp Directors will inform campers of their scholarship status around 65 days before the start of camp.
- If a camper completes the application process as written and no scholarship is available and they cannot find other means of paying for camp, the BFA Youth Chair will consider a refund of the camp registration fee.
- Campers receiving scholarships will be required to write a thank you during camp.
Volunteers
The BFA Junior Balloonist Camps are run by a dedicated group of volunteer FAA Certified pilots and crew members who share their knowledge and passion for ballooning each summer with youth from across the country. Camp Staff are required to complete a BFA Background Check and are trained to make sure campers have a safe and rewarding week nurturing their natural curiosity in ballooning. If you are interested in joining our camp staff, please click the box below for BFA Summer Camp Volunteer Registration.
Questions – Contact Katie here:
Katie Griggs
BFA Youth Program Chairman
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
775-771-4175
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
