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Camp Chickasaw meets Fort Novosel

By Christopher Mendez, Fort Novosel Public AffairsJuly 29, 2024

Youth from Camp Chickasaw experience a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter taking off at the Dust-off Training Complex on Fort Novosel July 25, 2024.
Youth from Camp Chickasaw experience a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter taking off at the Dust-off Training Complex on Fort Novosel July 25, 2024. (Photo Credit: Chris Mendez) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT NOVOSEL, Ala. -- The theme of Dothan Leisure Services Youth Summer Camp, Camp Chickasaw, this year was, “Every day is a new adventure waiting to be explored.” What better place to explore than the home of Army Aviation at Fort Novosel.

To wrap up their eight-week camp experience 37 youth campers and camp counselors spent the day learning what Army Aviation is all about, the various career fields that are offered, and the many opportunities that are available in the United States Army.

Alexis Cochran, assistant recreation program coordinator, said the summer camp offers various recreational and educational experiences that teach lifelong skills and expose them to experiences that help build a foundation for success as they grow and formulate what they what they want to be when they grow up.

“The tour today has been an amazing opportunity for the campers to see and do things that they might not ever get to do or see in a lifetime. For them to be able to spend the day here today has been so fulfilling for the campers and counselors alike. We like to say play, learn, grow," said Cochran.

The campers tour included a hands-on experience at the Night Vison Goggle Training Facility, a stop at the Dust-off Training Complex to experience how critical care patients are treated and transported, the Training Support Center, and lunch at the dining facility. The day concluded with a tour of the Army Aviation Museum where they learned about the history of flight and were able to apply it by making and flying their very own paper airplanes.

Campers from Dothan Leisure Services Camp Chickasaw get hands on at the Night Vision Goggle Training Facility on Fort Novosel July 25, 2024.
1 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Campers from Dothan Leisure Services Camp Chickasaw get hands on at the Night Vision Goggle Training Facility on Fort Novosel July 25, 2024. (Photo Credit: Chris Mendez) VIEW ORIGINAL
Camp Chickasaw youth learn about various career opportunities in Army Aviation at the Dust-off Training Complex on Fort Novosel July 25, 2024.
2 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Camp Chickasaw youth learn about various career opportunities in Army Aviation at the Dust-off Training Complex on Fort Novosel July 25, 2024. (Photo Credit: Chris Mendez) VIEW ORIGINAL
Campers experience how critical care patients are treated and transported and the training involved for servicemembers at the Dust-off Training Complex on Fort Novosel July 25, 2024.
3 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Campers experience how critical care patients are treated and transported and the training involved for servicemembers at the Dust-off Training Complex on Fort Novosel July 25, 2024. (Photo Credit: Chris Mendez) VIEW ORIGINAL
Camp Chickasaw youth interact with a flight medic during a pause in training at the Dust-off Training Complex on Fort Novosel July 25, 2024.
4 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Camp Chickasaw youth interact with a flight medic during a pause in training at the Dust-off Training Complex on Fort Novosel July 25, 2024. (Photo Credit: Chris Mendez) VIEW ORIGINAL
Camp Chickasaw youth learn about some of the famous people and dignitaries that were flown in or flew some of the helicopters that reside inside the U.S. Army Aviation Museum on Fort Novosel July 25, 2024.
5 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Camp Chickasaw youth learn about some of the famous people and dignitaries that were flown in or flew some of the helicopters that reside inside the U.S. Army Aviation Museum on Fort Novosel July 25, 2024. (Photo Credit: Chris Mendez) VIEW ORIGINAL
Camp Chickasaw campers preform a test flight with their paper airplanes during and interactive activity at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum on Fort Novosel July 25, 2024.
6 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Camp Chickasaw campers preform a test flight with their paper airplanes during and interactive activity at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum on Fort Novosel July 25, 2024. (Photo Credit: Chris Mendez) VIEW ORIGINAL
Youth from Camp Chickasaw discuss their upcoming test flight with the paper airplanes they constructed during a hands-on activity at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum on Fort Novosel July 25, 2024.
7 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Youth from Camp Chickasaw discuss their upcoming test flight with the paper airplanes they constructed during a hands-on activity at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum on Fort Novosel July 25, 2024. (Photo Credit: Chris Mendez) VIEW ORIGINAL
Camp Chickasaw youth construct their paper airplanes together as a part of an aviation flight activity at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum on Fort Novosel July 25, 2024.
8 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Camp Chickasaw youth construct their paper airplanes together as a part of an aviation flight activity at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum on Fort Novosel July 25, 2024. (Photo Credit: Chris Mendez) VIEW ORIGINAL
Campers and counselors from Camp Chickasaw Summer Camp in front of the U.S. Army Aviation Museum on Fort Novosel July 25, 2024.
9 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Campers and counselors from Camp Chickasaw Summer Camp in front of the U.S. Army Aviation Museum on Fort Novosel July 25, 2024. (Photo Credit: Chris Mendez) VIEW ORIGINAL

Ben Coppage, a camper on the tour, said his favorite part of the day was visiting the museum. “I have learned so much today about Army Aviation that I never knew about and got to be a part of it in person. Seeing all the helicopters and planes up close and how they progressed through history was awesome.”

If you are interested in a tour of Fort Novosel for your school, JROTC, or community leadership group please call public affairs at 334-255-2474.

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