Cadets hold 'awesome' Scout aviation workshop Published Dec. 16, 2013 By Don Branum Academy Spirit staff writer U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Temperatures here never climbed above 10 degrees Dec. 7, but that didn't matter to young Cameron Baker, one of several Boy Scouts who attended an aviation workshop put together by cadets in Cadet Squadron 17. While most people remarked that it was cold outside, Baker "came back in and said it was awesome," his mother, Marge Baker, wrote in an email thanking the cadets for their presentation. "I think it was especially great that the scouts had these fine young people to look up to as role models for the class," she wrote. "We will definitely go again for any merit badge clinics that they put on in the future." The workshop covered aerodynamic principles, aviation facilities and aviation careers, said Cadet 4th Class Christopher Beck. Participants included cadets from both CS 17 and CS 34, Eagle Scouts, former Boy Scouts and soaring pilots. "We even had a '64 grad from CS 17 and an '88 grad from CS 34 who addressed careers in military aviation," Beck added. Cameron wasn't the only young Scout who had a good time: "The Scouts unanimously said in the reflection after the workshop that they had a ton of fun," Beck said. The cadets also had a good time, Beck said, and look forward to holding similar workshops on Air Force Academy-related topics like space exploration and orienteering, which consists of using a map and compass to find locations and plan trips. To earn their aviation merit badges, Boy Scouts must build model airplanes or gliders, visit an airport or Federal Aviation Administration facility and familiarize themselves with aviation instrumentation and terminology, according to the Boy Scouts website, www.scouting.org. They must also find out about three aviation career opportunities and learn about the training and education required for one of those careers.