Giving kids the confidence to achieve
HELPING STUDENTS FLY HIGHER
Air Camp is a hands-on, educational adventure in aviation and aeronautics. We inspire students at the intermediate and middle school levels, as well as teachers and educational leaders across all grades, to learn more about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) using aviation and aerospace as our medium while promoting the values of scholarship, leadership, and citizenship.
Air Camp is the vision of Dayton-area leaders who want to help young people nationwide achieve their potential, develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, and pursue further education and future careers in STEM-related fields, aviation, and aeronautics.
December
2006
A meeting of community leaders organized by Dr. Dave Ponitz, Retired President of Sinclair College, at the request of Dr. Vince Russo to discuss STEM learning for K-12.
2008
A meeting chaired by Dr. Tom Lasley and attended by Gen. Dick Reynolds, Dr. Vince Russo, Mr. Dan Sadlier, Ms. Amanda Lane Wright, and other community partners where a decision was made to “do something” using current Dayton Community assets and not pursue a dedicated physical facility.
July
2010
Launch of first Air Camp with Executive Director Ms. JoAnn Erno, with Executive Committee Dr. Lasley as President, Dr. Russo as Vice President, Gen. Reynolds as Secretary, and Mr. Sadlier as Treasurer.
September
2015
Launch of the first official Teachers Air Camp experience on September 25, 2015.
Summer
2021
Launch of the first official High School event
WHY DAYTON, OH?
Dayton, Ohio is the birthplace of aviation and a center of invention. Here, the Wright Brothers invented and perfected manned, powered, controlled, heavier-than-air flight and experimented with early airplanes at Huffman Prairie.
Today, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is a hub of innovation for aviation and aeronautics as the home of the Air Force Research Laboratory, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, the Air Force Institute of Technology, the Air Force Material Command Headquarters, and the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
From highly trained educators to dedicated volunteers, please meet our
FACULTY & STAFF
Shannon Coblentz
Director of Operations
Director of Operations
Shannon Coblentz
Shannon Coblentz has been involved in educational endeavors for young learners for over fifteen years. Throughout her career she has served in leadership roles in education that have positively impacted students at all grades K-12. While serving as a social studies teacher for students in grades 9-12 at the esteemed Columbus Alternative High School in Columbus, Ohio, she also led the Humanities Department by serving as Department Chairperson and participated in an Annenberg Fellowship. She later sought leadership opportunities to serve an even broader spectrum of stakeholders in achieving academic excellence as a middle school principal for grades 6-8 and then as an elementary school principal for students in grades K-5. She received her bachelor’s degree from Wilmington College, her master’s degree from The Ohio State University and is currently a candidate in the doctoral program at Miami University (Oxford).
Kimberly Hume
Operations Manager
Operations Manager
Kimberly Hume
Kim Hume is Air Camp’s Operations Manager and joined the Air Camp staff in December 2017. Kim worked for the United States Air Force for 21 years. Her roles for the Air Force included Systems Analyst, Logistics Manager, Program Manager and Contracting Officer. While working for the Air Force Kim received the Air Force Exemplary Civilian Service Award Medal. When not working for Air Camp Kim enjoys going on adventures with her family.
Amanda Coomer
Manager of Finance and Donor Relations
Manager of Finance and Donor Relations
Amanda Coomer
Amanda Coomer joined Air Camp as the Manager of Finance and Donor Relations in January 2018. Prior to joining Air Camp, Amanda spent 15 years working at a public accounting firm in Dayton, OH, where she provided assurance and business consulting services to both public and privately held businesses in a variety of industries. Amanda is a Certified Public Accountant and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Accounting and Management Information Systems from Wright State University.
Heidi Edwards
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Curriculum Development
Heidi Edwards
Heidi Edwards is Nationally Board certified and teaches physical science and Biology at Oakwood High School in Dayton, where she serves as the Department Chair. Heidi was the Air Force Association’s 2011 State of Ohio Teacher of the Year, and the 2012 National Teacher of Year Runner-up! More recently Heidi was selected as a NASA SOFIA Ambassador and was able to fly at high altitudes during two missions collecting valuable electromagnetic data while on board a NASA Boeing 747 research aircraft. Most recently Heidi received the 2018 A. Scott Crossfield Educator of the Year Award.
Rosie Melia
Director of Development
Director of Development
Rosie Melia
Rosie joined the Air Camp team in January of 2020, Rosie brings with her 20 years of professional fundraising experience in the Dayton and Kansas City regions. Impressed with Air Camp’s reputation for excellent programs, dedicated leadership, and loyal donors, Rosie knew she had found something she wanted to be a part of. With this being her first year with Air Camp, Rosie is most excited to see the camps in action and witness the impact these experiences have on young lives. Rosie is a proud advocate of the Air Camp mission and looks forward to broadening their donor base and building an increasingly sustainable future for the organization.