Baltimore City students participate in BWI Marshall Summer Youth Initiative in July 2025 (BWI)
Summertime fun may seem like a distant memory as winter settles in, but for some Baltimore City students the experiences they gained at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport this past summer are still taking flight.
In July, the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) hosted its annual BWI Marshall Airport Summer Youth Initiative welcoming more than 50 students for a weeklong, hands-on exploration of aviation and transportation careers—an experience designed to spark curiosity and inspire future leaders across Maryland’s aviation or transportation industries.
A Decade of Opportunity and Inspiration
Since its launch in2015, the Summer Youth initiative has introduced hundreds of Baltimore City students — ages 10 to 16— to the exciting world of aviation. This year’s participants came from three Baltimore City Recreation & Parks recreation centers: Middle Branch, Coldstream and Rita Church.
Through this program, students gain firsthand insight into one of Maryland’s most dynamic workplaces while discovering the diverse career paths that keep BWI Marshall Airport moving.
Hands-On Learning and Behind-the-Scenes Access
The students participates in a variety of activities at BWI Marshall Airport (BWI)
Each year, MAA partners with airport tenants, the BWI Business Partnership, the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) and local businesses to create an engaging, educational experience. This year, more than 30 partners and corporate sponsors contributed funding, resources and mentorship opportunities. New partners this year included Rocket Lab and United Air Lines.
Students participated in a variety of activities, including:
- Touring the airfield and observing operations from the flight tower
- Visiting the BWI Marshall Airport Fire & Rescue Department
- Meeting TSA and Customs & Border Protection K-9 teams
- Stepping inside aircraft cockpits and visiting a regional airport
- Exploring Amazon’s distribution center
- Touring CCBC to learn about aviation and technical programs
One highlight of the week was a visit to Martin State Airport, where the students took to the skies alongside pilots from a local flight school.
Building the Future of Maryland’s Workforce
The program welcomes more than 50 students for a weeklong, hands-on exploration of aviation and transportation careers. (BWI)
The BWI Summer Youth Initiative provides students with a deeper understanding of the many career opportunities available in aviation, transportation and related industries. For MAA the program represents an ongoing commitment to investing in the next generation and strengthening the state’s future workforce.
As the initiative looks ahead to its 10th anniversary in 2026, MAA remains dedicated to building partnerships that empower students through education, exposure and experience – helping them fly toward bright futures.
Staci Gorden is the Communications Manager for the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Aviation Administration.