About Eileen Collins Aerospace Camp

The Eileen Collins Aviation Camp (ECAC) originated in 1996, and was sponsored by the National Soaring Museum (NSM) and the Schuyler-Chemung-Tioga Board of Cooperative Educational Services (SCT-BOCES). It was funded by a gender-equity grant awarded through the NYS Development of Education. The first year was for girls only. Kris Reuland and David Smith, SCT-BOCES School-To-Work Specialists and James W. Swinnich, Director of the NSM initiated the camp. Their intent was to inspire young girls to tackle math and science courses and to choose non-traditional, technical careers. With the many aviation resources available in our region they believed the camp experiences would give the girls the confidence to "soar among the clouds" no matter what career they ultimately chose.