IAC Chapter Camping - Making new friends and having a blast!
During the planning stages of the IAC presence at this year’s AirVenture, Jordan Ashley, IAC AirVenture Chairman, proposed that the IAC have an area in Camp Scholler for any IACers that wanted to camp together. Jeff Granger (IAC34 and 139) was appointed to organize camping and discovered that a chapter must reserve the space rather than the organization.
So, IAC 34 (Ohio) Secretary, Lorrie Penner volunteered her chapter to handle the group reservations. Reserving six spots she went looking for IAC members. When the dust settled IAC members from chapter 12 (Colorado MSU Collegiate team) 34, 88, and 139 (the new Utah chapter) camped together in Scholler.
AirVenture is fun no matter where you stay, however the fun was doubled with old and newfound friends sharing space together in Camp Scholler. The Utah group, led by early riser Jeff, were up and cooking breakfast well before 0700. They always had something cooking morning and evening. Steaks were on the menu for the last evening, and everyone was invited to share the meal so food wouldn't be wasted.
Initially only members of IAC 34 and a couple of people from IAC 88 were on the roster for the camping spots. When two IAC34ers dropped off space became available and the collegiate team from MSU found a spot for their tents in the camp. Most of the campers were there all week, but a few strayed in mid-week including Jeff's friend Benson from China. We also entertained some Germans and the sales rep from Aura Aero, Vincent who is from France.
We all decided we'd love to do it again. If you are in an IAC chapter, contact Lorrie (editor@iac.org) for directions on how to reserve chapter camping for your chapter in 2023. We've got the kinks ironed out now and it is pretty easy to apply for the spot now that we know how it works.
