We may have lost the Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival, but the 1st Carlton Colville Air Scouts are ensuring that they will get their summer aviation fix as they will soon embark on a trip to America to volunteer at one of the biggest air shows in the world.
Eight young people and four group leaders are fundraising for their trip to Oshkosh in Wisconsin; around a two hour drive north of Chicago. The event attracts over 10,000 aircraft and is the world's largest air display in terms of attendance, with one million visitors each year.
The group will be in America from the 17th-30th July and they will work as volunteers alongside aviation staff and other scouts from all over the world, in the week long event.
There will be opportunities for them to learn and develop engineering and aviation skills, aviation theory, and aircraft maintenance, as well as undertaking hospitality duties.
Each scout member is responsible for their own fundraising and is required to raise £1700 towards the cost of the trip. So far they have been involved in a range of sponsored events such as bag packs at the B&M store.
Steve Bell, 59 is co-ordinating the trip having been associated with the group for 18 years.
'This is the biggest opportunity that we have ever placed in front of young people.
'It's the first time we have ever done this and when we are there, we will help the pilots along with marshalling the crowds.
'It is a real learning curve as well with a lot of workshops and seminars going on.
'I hope the people coming will gain a greater enthusiasm in aviation than they have got now, and I am hoping that they get an interest in engineering as well.
'If this country needs one thing desperately, it is for young people to become engineers.'
Andreja Feasey, 14 from Carlton Colville is taking part in the event with her mother Susan, who is a leader.
'I am looking forward to the experience because not many people get to do it at my age.
'I am honoured to have such a good opportunity to go to America and hopefully I will learn more about what they do there.'
Tina Townend 43, runs an accountancy firm in Blundeston and her son Conor is embarking on the trip.
'This will be a fantastic experience for him as he has not been abroad before. It will be absolutely brilliant and I am so excited for him,' she said.
The group are also going to visit the Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan scout reservation in Wisconsin to take part in a summer camp programme where they will be sleeping in huts kitted out with bunk beds.
The group would like to thank everyone who has helped and supported them so far including Suffolk County Councillors Derek Hackett and Sonia Barker who have helped the group with some welcome donations from their locality budget.
Scout leader Jessica Hasketh-Boston was unavailable for the photograph.
For more information or to make a donation to the 1st Carlton Colville Air Scouts email Alison Clough at g.clough@talktalk.net or call 01502 565595.
Alternatively visit www.carltonairscouts.com
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here