As part of their learning opportunities, the 140 plus students who attended the Lake Oconee Youth Alliance summer academies, had the opportunity for several field trips.

Students from the Greene and Union Point academies traveled to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International airport. The students were able to gain security clearance to tour the 16 story — 398 feet control tower. While the control tower is reported to be the tallest in North American, the students were quite excited to spend time on the 13th floor learning about the functions of managing minute to minute air traffic. Students were able to observe all five runways, have an unconstructive view of the entire field, learn how to monitor airport traffic, and the basic functions of all aspects of air traffic control. While time did not permit a full training program, those in attendance were “mesmerized’ by all the activity on the runways and the diligence of the air traffic controllers.  Perhaps one of the students will be inspired to pursue aviation as a career choice.

All students from Greene, Putnam and Union Point made a trip to Milledgeville to visit the fourth state Capital of Georgia. During their visit, students were able to tour the Old Capital Museum, the former governor’s mansion and surrounding grounds. While on their tour of the museum the students were able to experience our state’s history in the building where Georgia’s legislators voted to secede from the union.

As a last field trip, a group of 184 — to include the students and chaperones — traveled to the Atlanta Zoo. Needless to say, all were amazed to see the many birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians   that make their home at the Atlanta Zoo.  Many of the students made some ‘new furry friends’ so the chaperones did a careful check  as they boarded the bus for the return trip home, to ensure no one brought back a ‘furry friend’ back to the lake.

With the field trips and the many learning experiences in the classroom, the students in attendance during the 2012 summer academy certainly received cultural enrichment that will continue to stimulate and enrich them as they go back to school.

The Lake Oconee Youth Alliance is sponsored by the Lake Oconee Community Church. Avis Williams, pastor of LOCC Community Transformation, runs the four summer youth academies.