Our Program

  WHAT IS OUR PROGRAM?

Our program introduces the logistics (and fun!) of air travel to high school seniors in our region who have never flown before, with some leadership mentoring, workforce education, and peer networking as an added benefit

WHO QUALIFIES? 

Each First Flight Project class will consists of two students from each of the River City High Schools (Ludlow, Covington, Newport, Bellevue, and Dayton).  Students apply for class membership through a video essay about what their “First Flight” would mean to them, along with resume (grades not a factor), and commitment and behavior contract. 

WHEN?

The application period will open annually on January 15th and close on February 15th. Class members are selected by the selected Travel Mentors and representatives from program partners and donors. The announcement of class members will occur annually on March 1st. The project travel will occur during a school day in first half of April.

SO WHAT KIND OF TRAVEL ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

For the 2023 Inaugeral Class, students will fly to Chicago and back in a day, leaving very early and returning very late.  No overnight is required.  Students, with the help of their Travel Mentors, will be learning to navigate the airport and public transportation system connecting to downtown Chicago for a full day, guided, site-seeing tour.

WHAT SKILLS WILL BE TAUGHT? 

Through this program, students will learn travel skills, including but not limited to, (1) how to purchase a ticket; (2) airport lingo such as boarding pass, carry-on, checked bags, TSA, gate, terminal, baggage claim, etc.; (3) how to use airport/airline technology (apps); (4) logistics of airport security; (5) how to find their gate and how/when to board the plane; (6) proper flight etiquette; (7) how to find and navigate ground transportation at the destination.  We are hoping to spend part of our prep day learning about workforce opportunities at CVG. 

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” - Lao Tzu