BY YOUTH, FOR YOUTH

F
Frutigen Model Aircraft Club

As part of the MFG Frutigen Summer Activity Pass program, one participant, Lorena Betschen—who also built a model—volunteered to write this report on the successful youth development event.

From July 13 to 24, the popular annual “Ferienpass” program took place in Frutigen. On July 14, the Frutigen Model Aircraft Club organized the first event for young people ages ten to sixteen. There were numerous sign-ups, so eleven children attended. We met at 9 a.m. at the school building in Kandergrund. We were welcomed by Rolf Iseli, the secretary of the Frutigen Model Flying Club, and his team of eleven volunteers.

We received a theoretical introductory course as well as important assembly recommendations for our model airplanes.

Afterward, we received our model kits and were able to get started right away. Unpacking went very quickly, and soon the individual parts were laid out on the tables in front of us. We were divided among five tables, each with two to three children and one to two helpers working on them. The model kit was called “Aeronaut Kolibri.” Assembly went fairly quickly but required a lot of dexterity and good fine motor skills. Little by little, the first airplanes were completed. Afterward, a short, straightforward theory session was held while the glue on the wings dried. Small lead pellets were added to the front of the airplanes to ensure the model’s balance.

Shortly after noon, we cleaned up our work area and then headed to Frutigen for lunch. Lunch took place at Modellmarkt24. On the menu were a St. Gallen Olma bratwurst from Kandermetzg in Wengi and a hearty Bürli from the bakery.

In the afternoon, we were divided into two groups. The first group went to the flight simulator, while the other group was shown how to manually control a model airplane. We also got to practice the correct throwing technique using Styrofoam airplanes.

And then it was time for the competition: One by one, everyone flew the model airplane they had built themselves. The longest distance flown was over 70 meters!

The extremely successful day, which left the participants very satisfied, ended with the awards ceremony and the presentation of prizes.

Many thanks to the numerous volunteers from MFG Frutigen.

Lorena Betschen