Our Programs.
FEFY provides support for the following youth programs:
• Line Crew
• Youth Soaring Camp scholarships
• Camp counselors
• Youth Member annual dues
• School outreach
• Special events, like Soaring Discovery Day.
Donations
FEFY relies entirely on generous donations to fund these programs, which now have an annual operating cost of approximately $50,000 per year.
Line Crew
The Line Crew Program is a "work to fly" program that lets young aviation enthusiasts earn credits toward instructional and solo glider flights, while learning critical thinking and leadership skills.
FEFY also pays for FAA pilot certification tests for Line Crew members
Scholarships
FEFY funds scholarships for Sugarbush Soaring’s Youth Soaring Camps.
Financial assistance for additional flight training opportunities at Sugarbush Soaring in Warren, VT may be available as well. These opportunities vary from year to year depending on the outcome of our fundraising efforts.
For more information, email fefy-scholarships@sugarbushsoaring.com.
School Outreach
FEFY helps support school outreach and engagement programs provided by Sugarbush Soaring Association (SSA) staff. Included are aviation career exploration visits to the airport for local youth. They learn about aviation careers, tour the airport and watch the flight operations.
Harwood High School Aviation STEM classes studying aerodynamics have also toured the airport, gathering information on aircraft/wing design. Staff from SSA have provided mentoring for students in Community Based Learning programs at the Harwood, U-32 and Montpelier High Schools.
These programs allow members of the line crew, as well as other students interested in aviation careers to receive school credit for their active participation.
Youth Member Annual Dues
FEFY helps make flying more accessible to youth by covering annual dues for all Youth Members (age 21 and younger).
The dues allow Youth Members to qualify for reduced rates on aircraft rental and instruction and provide them with insurance coverage when they solo.
Sugarbush Soaring Association currently has 26 Youth Members.
Special Events
FEFY has funded flights for youth at special events like Youth Airport Day, which was hosted by Sugarbush Soaring in 2017, 2018 & 2019. Thanks to a grant from the Mad River Valley Rotary, FEFY funded Soaring Discovery Day on July, 2023, which included free ground school for all and free flights for five youth ages 13-18.
