Rick Bryant wanted to give Kansas students a chance to learn about career opportunities in a multibillion-dollar state industry.

So Bryant, board vice president of the Kansas Commission of Aerospace Education, organized the first-ever Kansas Aviation Youth Camp.

Twenty-two campers gathered at the Lawrence Municipal Airport on Saturday morning for the half-day camp. Bryant said the goal of the camp is to provide an overview of educational and career opportunities in aviation and to teach the elements of flying an airplane.

The camp consists of four sessions: flight planning and aviation weather, plane anatomy and weight balance, careers in aviation, and aviation communication and traffic patterns.

Brooks Barber traveled from Hays to attend the camp. Brooks, who said he wasn’t quite sure why he became interested in aviation a few years ago, already has some experience with flying.

“I’ve flown a few planes a few places,” he said. Brooks said he hopes to build on his experience during his first aviation camp.

Ed Young, director of aviation at the Kansas Department of Transportation, said studying aviation could lead to many job opportunities in the future.

“It’s a good area to consider when kids are this age,” Young said.

KCAE is hosting a second camp in McPherson on June 25. The camp, aimed toward 12- to 15 year-olds, costs $25 per person.