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West Orange High School AFJROTC Holds Successful Camp Falcon Summer Program

WEST ORANGE, NJ – The West Orange High School AFJROTC continued its tradition of excellence during the summer months by offering three Camp Falcons focusing on various disciplines and age groups.

The first Camp Falcon was held July 13-18 for students in grades 3-8 and was called “Aviation”. Attendees were able to fly flight simulators and drones, build a model airplane, watch a Black Hawk helicopter land at WOHS, and tour Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. 40 students attended Session I.

The second camp was held July 22-26 for grades 3-8 and was entitled “Emergency Responder”. The camp featured classes in fire suppression with the West Orange Fire Department, medical response with EMT’s, and Emergency Law Enforcement with the West Orange Police Department and Newark SWAT. 20 students attended Session II.

The third session was held August 19-21 for grades 8-12, including members of the WOHS AFJROTC. The camp included studies in navigation and survival, a 14-mile hike over two days to honor the Bataan Death Marchers of WWII, and an overnight camp-out. 50 students attended Session III.

“The camps went extremely well thanks to the outstanding work of our West Orange Air Force JROTC cadet staff and the help of our amazing community partners,” said Major Joe Marchesini:

  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst
  • West Orange PD and FD
  • Newark SWAT
  • Army National Guard Aviation
  • West Orange HS Building and Grounds

“I’m incredibly proud of the success of this year’s Camp Falcon, where discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills were at the forefront of every activity,” Maj. Marchesini continued.

“Watching our campers/cadets grow in confidence and camaraderie was truly inspiring. I owe this success to the unwavering support of our community, the dedication of our staff, and the enthusiasm of our campers and cadets,” he concluded.

117 West Orange High School students are signed up for the 2024-2025 AFJROTC program.

Camp Falcon

Camp Falcon I: Blackhawk helicopter at WOHS

Camp Falcon

Camp Falcon I: Base tour

Camp Falcon

Camp Falcon: Base tour

Camp Falcon

Camp Falcon II: WOFD

Camp Falcon

Camp Falcon II: WOPD

Camp Falcon

Camp Falcon II: Newark SWAT

Camp Falcon

Falcon Camp III: Turtle Back Rock hike

Cynthia Cumming
Aug. 23, 2024