IGIS is thrilled to be collaborating with 4-H in delivering a highly successful series of Youth Drone Camps this year!
Inspired by the University of California’s annual DroneCamp conference (for adults), which IGIS first launched in 2017, these new youth-oriented 4-H Drone Camps are infused with many of the same science, technology, safety and regulation principles, but in an even more interactive and participatory format. Not only are the camps fun for all, but they also serve to deliver inspiring knowledge and skills that may be applicable in real-world professional capacities when the youth come into adulthood.
Facilitated by 4-H Coordinators who have previously attended the adult DroneCamp conferences, the first 4-H Youth Drone Camp was held in Santa Clara during the week of July 7th, with hands-on flight practices held at a ranch just outside of town: https://poly.cam/capture/e7c84905-fdb5-4d20-b345-93589180afce. The second camp was then held in Napa during the week of July 21st at the Napa Valley Community College, https://poly.cam/capture/3e9128c9-ff0d-4aef-8303-288071086c3e, and the final camp of this year is being held this week in Redding, from August 4th to the 8th.
If you know a youth between the ages of 13 and 18 years old who might be interested in attending one of these camps, who wasn’t able to attend this year, never fear, a new series of the Youth Drone Camps will be held again next year. Information regarding this will be included on the UC ANR IGIS Training web page, https://igis.ucanr.edu/Training/
Funding for the development and implementation of these camps comes from 3-year grant provided by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), which has a strong interest in supporting science and technology advancement in agriculture. In this case, this grant is supporting the professional development of our next generation with fun and cutting edge new tools.