KATHRYN KENNEDY HERALD STAFF WRITER

Lindsay Gjerde | Daily Herald Laura Foley, 12, holds a P51 Mustang model plane “Old Crow,” a World War II replica, while her dad, Jeff Foley, explains to campers how it works. Advertisement

ROANOKE RAPIDS - The skies around Halifax County Airport were filled with the humming of engines both large and small Thursday morning.

A group of nearly 100 Halifax County 4-H and Youth Day Camp participants visited the airfield, shepherded by brightly clad staff, to get a first-hand look at aviation.

After a short welcome from Airport Manager Terry Harris, the youngsters were entertained - and educated - by local pilot Jeff Foley.

“Out there it's a highlight of the week, and they're having a good time, but they're learning every minute of it,” Camp Director Joe Long said, watching the children inspect one of Foley's model planes. “They're learning about air science, the shape of the wing and why it's important.”

Foley first demonstrated many structural and mechanical properties of a standard airplane using one of the working models he creates himself. He and a colleague even flew the remote-controlled planes in large circles and dangerous spins and turns, all to the awe and amazement of younger campers.

“They're like real planes!” one child exclaimed as they gazed skyward, shading their eyes from the sun with their hands.

The next feature was not a model. Foley introduced the campers to Ole' Possum, a plane built in 1942 during the World War II aviation boom. Using the highlighter-yellow colored biplane as an example, Foley gave a brief history lesson about planes and pilots during the war, and educated the group about various careers in the flight business.

Foley and his 12-year-old daughter Laura then flew the restored plane in a large loop over the airfield, waving as they passed their guests at low altitude. The children were also able to see the take-off and landing stages safely from the grass next to the runway.

This isn't the first year Foley has presented for the summer campers, a task he enjoys and plans to continue.

“Nowadays it's more difficult to get exposed to aviation because of security measures and things,” Foley explained. “Kids just don't get to see these things anymore.”

Thursday's activities, part of this week's Environmental Science Camp, continued into the afternoon with lunch at the Roanoke Canal Museum and a hike.

A different camp theme runs each week during the 4-H and Youth Day Camp at the Rural Life Center in Halifax, and Monday will kick off Art Camp. Costs for the week range from $40 to $45 and are open for children ages 6 to 16.

For more information, visit www.halifaxnc.com/4hrurallife or call Long at 583-1821.