Camas, WA – Camas business owners are excited to announce the launch of the Explore Camas Passport, a program designed to reward consumers for shopping and dining local. The official launch date for the Summer 2024 Explore Camas passport is June 1, 2024. This unincorporated group of business owners met in January 2024 to brainstorm ways to collaborate and promote the vast array of businesses and services throughout Downtown Camas. 

The Explore Camas Passport is a fun way to engage and reward the community for supporting local. Passport holders collect stamps from participating locations through making a purchase, taking a class, or joining in on an activity. After accumulating at least 20 stamps, the passport holder is then eligible for a special discount or offer from each of those locations. Completed passports are submitted to the Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce by September 30th to be entered into the Grand Prize Drawing valued at over $1500.

The Launch Party for the Summer Passport is Saturday, June 1. Look for Red Balloons throughout Downtown Camas identifying participating locations.

“Our group of 29 businesses have worked hard to develop this robust campaign to show our appreciation for everyone who shops and supports local small businesses. Camas has a wide variety of boutiques, restaurants, and services set in a charming atmosphere. We are excited to introduce the Explore Camas Passport program and to give consumers another fun way to experience Camas,” said Suzanne Ferguson, owner of Juxtaposition.

Participating Businesses

  • 4Ever Growing Kids 
  • Allure Boutique 
  • Arktana
  • Autumn Leaf Books 
  • Caffe Piccolo 
  • Camas Antiques
  • Camas Boutique Hotel 
  • Camas Cellars 
  • Camas Plant & Gift
  • Feast 316 
  • Grains of Wrath 
  • Hidden River Roasters
  • Its Bookish 
  • Jazzercise Camas 
  • Juxtaposition
  • Keller Med Spa 
  • Lane Cellars 
  • Lily Boutique
  • Livewell Camas 
  • Natalia’s Café 
  • Nuestra Mesa
  • Papermaker Pride 
  • Periwinkles Toy Shop 
  • Poppy & Hawk
  • Red Door Gallery 
  • Runyan’s Jewelers 
  • Salud/Giatti’s
  • Sweet Intention Gift 
  • Tommy O’s

Sponsors: Edward Jones and Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce

The businesses are also planning to release a Holiday version of the Explore Camas Passport, November 1, 2024. The passport development, design, printing, distribution, and marketing funded and developed solely by this unincorporated group of business owners, working together to promote Downtown Camas and increase community engagement.

More information will be available on the merchant Facebook page Explore Camas Passport beginning May 28, 2024. This page will feature the VIP discounts available to participants once they have achieved 20 stamps and will announce the Grand Prize Winner.

The team at Daily Paper Coffee Roasters answered several Lacamas Magazine questions about their new business.

When is Daily Paper Coffee Roasters opening?

The opening date is yet to be announced, we ask that the community follow us on our social media platforms for when we announce our official grand opening date. We hope to launch July/August. 

https://www.instagram.com/dailypapercoffee?igsh=ZDZ3YWNlYzE2ZW53

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556164376313&mibextid=LQQJ4d

What is your business all about?

Daily Paper is all about catering to the community and being a hub for good coffee that’s local. Roasting on site and offering a unique selection of pastries that are baked not even 200 feet from the shop at Camas Market. 

Why did you decide to open at this location? 

Address: 3016 NE Everett St Camas WA 98607

This is something that the community has been eagerly anticipating, especially so near to the lake. We have so many hikers, teachers, daily commuters and students on their way through the area that we know this will be a great place for them to stop by. 

Who is running the new shop?

The owner of the shop is Ben Mikhalets, son to the owners of Camas Market & Bakery. He’s been in the coffee industry for 9 years and a roaster for the last 5 years. He graduated from Camas High School and currently lives in Camas. 

What do you want Daily Paper Coffee to be known for? 

Our goal for this shop is to be that place where people can stop by for a quality cup of coffee. We see it as someone’s mid day pick me up or the stop you make while walking the dog through the park. The people of Camas know what local is and they are an incredibly supportive bunch. We know because we’ve felt their support in the Camas Farmers market for the last decade and their support of the opening of Camas Market & Bakery.

Washougal, WA — The Washougal School Board of Directors has named Aaron Hansen as the interim superintendent for the 2024-2025 school year.  Hansen, who has served as the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Student Services for the last five years, will begin in the new role on July 1, when current Superintendent Dr. Mary Templeton starts her new role with the Lake Stevens School District. 

Hansen has worked for Washougal School District for 23 years. He has 31 years of experience in education as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent. Prior to his current role, Hansen served as the WHS Principal from 2011 to 2019. He began his teaching experiences with Washougal at Washougal High School and at the former Excelsior High School, where he was a Math and Science teacher providing alternative learning experiences and customized learning opportunities for students. Prior to joining the Washougal School District he was a Math and Science teacher at Rogers High School in Spokane for eight years. Hansen also taught English for one year in Taiwan.

“Aaron has a demonstrated track record of service to Washougal’s students through his various roles,” Board president Angela Hancock. “Aaron brings experience with nearly every aspect of the district’s work to this role, and the strong relationships he has built with students, parents, teacher, staff, and community members will help him be successful in the interim role.  The board is confident in his ability to continue the great progress the district has made to increase student achievement and the graduation rate.”

Templeton praised the selection, saying, “Aaron is an exceptional leader and educator with a passion for ensuring each student is on a bright pathway to the future.  He has  leveraged community partnerships and the energy and excitement students have to help the district rise.” 

Hansen said, “As I step into the role of Interim Superintendent for the Washougal School District, I am filled with both excitement and humility. Washougal is a community that stands out for its strong tradition of supporting education, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to lead in such an amazing environment.”

He added, “Our district is home to outstanding teachers and staff who dedicate themselves daily to creating enriching and powerful learning experiences for our students. I am eager to engage directly with classrooms, collaborating with students, families, and educators. Together, we will continue to advance towards our shared vision, building on the solid foundation of support and commitment that characterizes the Washougal community. It is a privilege to continue to be a part of the WSD community, and I am committed to ensuring that we keep moving forward, making a positive impact on every student’s life.”

Hansen has an undergraduate and master’s degree from Eastern Washington University. He holds a superintendent credential from Washington State University. 

The board took action to appoint Hansen during the April 30, 2024 special board meeting, and noted that it will be gathering community input into a permanent replacement for Dr. Templeton in the fall.  As part of the cost saving measures needed in school year 2024-2025, the Assistant Superintendent position is being eliminated to help solve the district’s $3 million budget shortfall. 

Ponderosa
Ponderosa Garage Doors Who said your garage door has to look boring😏😏 Contact Ponderosa Garage Doors today and see what they can do for you. They also give back to the community. Plus, their team has a special! Just mention “Camas Athletics” when you place your order and the team at Ponderosa will donate 5% of the order to Camas Athletics Boosters Club, and it’s a good idea to have your garage doors inspected. Call 360.684.1933. They have a $100 coupon, too. Learn all about it.

If you look at this migration map, you’ll see the top states where people are moving to include states with warm weather, such as South Carolina, Arizona, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Florida. It appears we’re flocking to states with warm weather, but there is more to it than people getting tired of snow and ice. California had a serious exodus in 2023 despite the glorious weather. Let’s take a closer look at why people moved where they did in 2023.

Lower Cost of Living

Since COVID, there has been a surge of individuals who work from home. While many of the remote workers have gone back to their offices, a number of people started their own businesses where they work from home. Professionals, such as therapists, also learned they can work from home and have virtual appointments with clients.

When you work from home, it does not matter where you live as long as you have a high-speed internet connection. Housing costs are less, as are groceries, car insurance, and more. When you pay less to live, you can keep more of your profits for yourself.

Spacious Homes and Yards

Some of the top cities where people are moving from include Los Angeles, Seattle, and Chicago. There are pleasant cities, but homes are expensive. When moving to cities such as Tucson and Charleston, which are top inbound cities, families with kids crammed into small city apartments in places like NYC find spacious homes with large yards attractive. They can have gardens, livestock, treehouses, and other things people in tiny apartments and houses in some cities only dream about.

Lifestyle Benefits

States like New Jersey to Connecticut, are losing residents who are getting tired of the fast-paced lifestyle they lead. Most southern states have a noticeably slower atmosphere, with far fewer traffic jams and people greeting each other as they walk down the street instead of racing to their next destination. Stress may be okay for people in their 20s, but as we get older, we realize a life with less stress leads to longer and generally happier lives.

Better Employment Opportunities and No State Income Tax

California, with its famous tech industry rates, is losing residents rapidly. Individuals realize that other places, like Tucson, AZ, and Charleston, SC, have booming tech sectors without the very high cost of living. Salaries in Silicon Valley are high, but the housing costs eat the money up quickly. People are also moving to states, like Tennessee and Florida, with no state income tax, allowing residents to keep more of their money in their pockets.

Living Closer to Nature

States like Arizona, Florida, and South Carolina are seeing more people who choose to live there to be near nature. Beaches, state parks, and golfing are more enjoyable in places with sunny weather. Living near nature is also appealing to people who now work from home and want to get out and away from their computers.

People have different reasons for moving to another state, it’s clear some states are far more popular than others and other states are losing residents every year. Only time will tell to see if this trend continues in 2024.

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for Allied Van Lines

Meet Aleksandra Cherednichenko, a surgical Family Nurse Practitioner, who owns and operates Pins and Needles, a medical aesthetics clinic in Camas. Lacamas Magazine interviewed Cherednichenko, and asked her several questions about her background, her clinic and the services she provides.

1. What services does Pins and Needles provide? 

I provide wrinkle relaxers to treat natural aging lines in addition to treating excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) and migraines, dermal fillers to replace lost volume in the facial area, microneedling of the facial area to reduce the appearance of fine lines, acne scars and to boost collagen, and chemical peels.

2. Can you explain your focus on the medical portion of aesthetics? 

As medical practitioners, I believe that it’s our duty to offer patients only evidence-based and FDA approved products. It is also up to us to educate patients on the risks of each procedure and say no to patients when something is not medically indicated. For example, when the “Barbie” movie came out, aesthetic providers started marketing Barbie tox to patients to reduce the size of their trapezius muscles. This is not medically indicated unless a patient is suffering from chronic pain or migraines, yet people were requesting this service and you saw this trend pop up all over social media. Aesthetic procedures are medical procedures that carry risks, they are not just beauty treatments.

3. What are some common misconceptions about aesthetics medicine? 

I think a common misconception about aesthetic medicine is that only wealthy people get treatments, when in fact people from all walks of life seek out these services. Aesthetic medicine is also a partnership between the provider and the patient, where goals are set and different treatment modalities are used to achieve desired results.

4. What does it mean to be a surgical NP? 

My full-time job is being a liver transplant nurse practitioner and I get to practice as part of a multidisciplinary abdominal surgery team, with an emphasis on liver and kidney transplantation. This means that I am intricately aware of how our bodies work and can foresee complications from invasive procedures, like the kind that we perform in aesthetic medicine. 

5. What is your background as an FNP? 

I was an RN for almost a decade prior to obtaining my FNP from Maryville University, and spent my time at bedside in acute and critical care. After completing my clinical rotations for graduate school I knew that I wanted to specialize and found that my critical care background matched well with my current surgical specialty.

Pins and Needles is located inside Whole Glow Health and Beauty:

5420 NW 38th Ave

Suite #33

Camas, WA 98607

503.214.2431 and texts are welcome

Her Instagram handle is @pins_needles_aesthetics

Learn more at www.pinsneedlesaesthetics.com where you can book an appointment. 

Pins
Aleksandra Cherednichenko is a surgical Family Nurse Practitioner, who owns and operates Pins and Needles, a medical aesthetics clinic in Camas.

Camas Cellars is a brand-new boutique wine bar and bottle shop located in downtown Camas that focuses on bringing Pacific NW wines into one place for customers to enjoy and appreciate. 

Located at 602 NE 3rd Avenue, Unit C, in the recently renovated building that also houses Subway, Camas Cellars also showcases unique imports and will be hosting events with winemakers and winery owners. Additionally, they will be hosting frequent tastings and classes.

Debi Dabasinskas, the proprietor of Camas Cellars, announced, “Our inaugural tasting event is set for Friday, December 1st, in collaboration with Santa Margherita USA. We’ll begin by sampling an array of white wines from Alto Adige, then journey to Lombardia to savor Franciacorte, and conclude in the Tuscany Hills with Lamole di Lamole. My goal is to create an intimate and engaging experience. I’m excited to present opportunities for tasting novel wines and to offer new sensory adventures. In January, we will be launching a wine club with a couple of membership levels including a Founders Club, which will include exclusive tastings and events. Additionally, the club plans to feature wine tastings and possibly dinners that incorporate produce from local farms. It promises to be an exciting and enjoyable venture!”

Most customers are coming in to try a new wine, so Camas Cellars offers wine flights — a red flight and a white flight — where wine lovers may taste four different wines. Additional flights are coming in the next few weeks. 

“For example, we can do a Washington reds flight, Red Mountain, Walla Walla Valley, Horse Heaven Hills and describe the nuances between them,” said Dabasinskas. “We also offer cheese and charcuterie plates and have fresh flowers for sale from a local master gardener. We also feature art from local artists which are offered for sale and the artists will rotate based on a set calendar.” 

If you would like special orders for the holidays, or any time, Camas Cellars can help with this. 

“Let Camas Cellars be your local wine concierge!,” she said.

On Sunday, November 19th, Dabasinskas is hosting a Thanksgiving Wine Pairing Class. Stop by the shop this week to sign up!

“If you’re looking for a specific wine, I can find it for you,” said Dabasinskas. “For specials we will have 10 percent off bottles “to go” on First Friday. On Holiday Sip N Shop, Camas Cellars will offer 20 percent off wine flights and 10 percent off bottles for 21 and over.”

Dabasinskas worked as a District Manager for a very well known Napa Valley winery with properties in Washington, and has 30 years experience in the industry.  She has many certifications including WSET Level 2. 

For customers who want to try something other than wine, Camas Cellars carries Grains of Wrath in cans,” she said. “Camas Cellars is also available for private parties day and evening.”

Please join Camas Cellars this Wednesday, November 15th for the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting from 4-6pm! Camas Cellars is open Wednesday through Saturday from 3-9 pm, and will continue to expand its offerings and changes up the glass list frequently. So, if you’re looking for a quiet escape from the stress of daily life, pay them a visit. Visit www.camascellars.com (it’s under construction). Camas Cellars is a 21 and over establishment. 

Camas Cellars
Camas Cellars

If you’re working in the construction sector during the summer, especially if you’re handling large machinery, it is important that you know all the details of every piece of equipment and the construction safety tips. It’s also imperative that everyone on the construction site knows how to run large machinery and handle any issues that may arise. Staying safe during the hot summer months means understanding and controlling the risks of extreme heat and heat-related illnesses. Here are some tips to help you conduct your construction work without difficulties and keep your machinery functioning properly during the summer.

1. Inspect the Drain Filters of Your Excavators

If you do not regularly check the drain filter of your machinery, especially during the summer, you could endanger it. Over 90 percent of premature excavator failures are due to a clogged drain filter. If your machine’s final drive drain filter is clogged, fix the issue early. You can get experienced professionals to help you unclog your machine’s drain filters.

2. Stay Up-To-Date With Safety Precautions

Stay on top of safety measures in the construction industry to avoid serious problems. The construction industry usually develops measures that ensure the safety of workers during different seasons. For instance, when summer arrives, workers will be advised on what to wear, how to stay healthy, and how to avoid the heat.

3. Keep Water Everywhere

Plenty of water near you is an excellent way to protect yourself from heat illness during hot weather. Ensure you drink water frequently to avoid dehydration. This water will keep your body from dehydrating and overheating. The more you drink water, the healthier you are. Ensure you drink water instead of other drinks such as soda, energy drinks, or other beverages.

4. Eat Healthy Foods

Heavy and high-fat foods will leave you feeling potentially nauseous and bloated, which is not good with extreme temperatures. Opt for lighter meals that will keep you active during the hottest part of the day. Eat sandwiches and fruits instead of French fries and a greasy burger.

5. Dress to Beat the Heat

You work in a construction zone, so you should wear protective garments to protect you from the heat and potentially hazardous environment. It is best to choose lightweight safety clothing in the summer; it provides free air movement and prevents heat from being trapped in your garments. Also, ensure you have a sunscreen to protect your skin. You can use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with UVB and UVA protection and a significant sun protection factor (SPF).

6. Plan Your Job’s Timing

It is best to plan a job only when the heat isn’t as intense. Arrange your work for the morning and evening hours. If you have outdoor and indoor work, plan the outdoor jobs in the morning and the indoor work in the afternoon. You can easily tackle the tough tasks when you’re still fresh and the rest when the sun begins to set.

Final Word

Summer is the best season for construction work because the weather is mostly predictable and pleasant. Still, when working during the summer, it is important to be mindful of the heat. You should take plenty of fluids, eat healthy meals, wear protective gear, get a good night’s sleep, and work when the heat is not intense to protect yourself from heatstroke, exhaustion, and sunburns.

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for MiniFinalDrives

Construction

Washougal, WA — The Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards banquet Tuesday honoring the Citizen, Business Persons, and Educators of the Years, as well as student scholarship recipients. Held at the Orchard Hills Golf Club, Executive Director Jennifer Senescu emceed the program. 

2023 Citizen of the Year: Pat Suggs

Contributions to the Community: Suggs has served the Camas-Washougal community for 47 years. During that time, she also raised six daughters. She was a volunteer teacher for the Camas Community Education Program, has been a Brownie and Girl Scout leader and although she doesn’t have boys, she was a Cub Scout leader, as well. 

Suggs has been the Young Women’s President at her church and is responsible for all of the 12-18 year olds. She runs a program to enhance the progressive growth of young girls. Suggs was also the Relief Society President at her church where she oversaw the activities of all Latter-Day-Saint (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) women ages 18 and over. It is the oldest women’s organization in the United States.

She works on food drives for the community. Including support for the Children’s Home Society of Washington. She also ran their backpack program for over 5 years. Suggs collects cups for Hathaway Elementary Schools Program of Affordable Gifts for Parents as well as clothing and shoes for the Family Resource Program for Washougal School District.  Suggs is a Book Fairy, which is a program that provides equitable opportunities for children to learn, grow and thrive. 

Today at 74 years old, Suggs is still involved in the community.  She serves on the Drug Take Back Program, the Unite Committee, Two Rivers Heritage Museum Committee and is Co-chair on the Washougal Safe Board. 

Pat also volunteers at Hathaway Elementary School each week where she helps teach reading and Spanish.  And, according to her husband, she does all of these things for one simple reason. Her love of this community. 

2023 Businessperson of the Year: Chris Dierickx, Straubs Funeral Home  

As the owner of Straubs Funeral home in Camas, Washington, Chris Dierickx has been a member of this community for over 26 years. Dierickx has helped thousands of families during what is one of the the hardest times in their lives. He makes himself available all hours of the day and night. He is genuinely caring and extremely compassionate. In his service, Dierickx wears many hats, including,  a shoulder to cry on, guide, rock and a friend to those in need. 

The C-W Chamber received a record number nominations for Chris to be named Businessperson of the Year for 2023. 

“It is a clear testament to his commitment and work in this community,” said Senescu. 

Year
CW Businessperson of the Year Chris Dierickx (right) with CW Chamber Executive Director Jennifer Senescu and Washougal Mayor Dave Stuebe.

Educators of the Year: 

CCMS Science PLC Team at Washougal High School: Ryan Hooser and Patrick Rice

Ryan and Patrick, science teachers at Canyon Creek Middle School, are a high functioning team committed to their collaboration.  They use the instructional materials provided through the Amplify curriculum and supplement with hands-on experiments and activities for their students.  They spend time in each other’s classrooms learning and brainstorming new ideas on how to create engaging lessons for their classes. Their work, and focus on achievement, has resulted in state assessment scores far higher than the state average for science. 

Year
Washougal Educators of the Year Ryan Hooser and Patrick Rice with WSD Superintendent Mary Templeton.

2023 Camas Educators of the Year: Stephanie Eakins and Whitney Patton

Stephanie Eakins and Whitney Patton came together in the Fall of 2021 to restructure and redesign the Adult Transition Program at Camas High School. They work with students aged 18-21 served by Individualized Educational Plans in the newly named Adult Transition Training Center (A.T.T.C.) housed at The Heights Learning Center. Although there may be teams that have worked together for a longer length of time, there is no team more committed to providing a positive and exceptional experience for their students. In the short time they have worked together, they have been able to impact a large number of students and are directly responsible for many of the successes that these young adults have achieved. 

Together they are able to motivate and encourage students who would otherwise feel lost within the constraints of the regular curriculum. They work hard at establishing a strong rapport with each individual and their families. Each can always be found going the extra mile that can make a difference for these students. Eakins and Patton both promote community access for their students and work hard to facilitate opportunities that allow them to learn real-world applicable skills that will support them as they move beyond a high school setting. 

Eakins and Patton truly believe in the concept of “firm goals, flexible means” as they continually improvise and modify for their students. They see and serve all students and families as they ready them for the transition into the world beyond the public school system. 

Year
Camas Educators of the Year Stephanie Eakins and Whitney Patton.

2023 Camas High School Scholarship Recipient Olivia Brotherton  

Brotherton will be attending Oregon State University this fall where she plans on studying biology while she works toward becoming a veterinarian. At Camas High School, she is on The National Honor Society and is involved with the CHS Choir. Brotherton has volunteered with multiple local organizations including Buddy and Food Box Builder. She is involved with St. Joseph’s Church and has served as a Vacation Bible School Counselor. She has also served as an Equestrian Camp Counselor at Cantera Equestrian. Brotherton plans on doing an internship with Next-Vet this summer. 

2023 Washougal High School College Scholarship Recipient Carter Nichols

Nichols will be attending Eastern Washington University this Fall where he plans on studying nursing or pre-med. Three years ago, Nichols began as a volunteer at Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital. He spent the summer of 2021 completing a volunteer internship program where he spent 72 hours assisting with discharges, delivering meals and checking in visitors. Since Nichols turned 16, he has been a caregiver in the memory care unit at Touchmark. 

Nichols began taking health classes at Cascadia Technical Academy his junior year. He says that is what truly sparked his interest in the medical field. It’s also where he learned that caregivers must be good listeners and empathetic conversationalists. 

Nichols is one of five siblings. His mother is a social worker and his father is a Firefighter/paramedic. 

Year
CW Scholarship recipients Olivia Brotherton and Carter Nichols.

United Precision Corp (UPC) held its official Grand Opening Friday night at the Steigerwald Commerce Center in Washougal with dozens of elected officials, business leaders, educators and citizens in attendance.

General Manager Robert Hawrylo was one of several UPC leaders who greeted guests, providing them an overview of their work and the facility.

UPC manufactures high tech seals and vertical launching system components for defense clients, such as the Navy, and spacecraft products (parts, seals, bolts) for SpaceX, a company led by Elon Musk. Their clients include the following companies and government entities:

  • NASA
  • SpaceX
  • Boeing
  • Moog Aircraft Group
  • United Launch Alliance
  • United States Navy
  • United States Air Force
  • Aerojet Rocketdyne
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Teledyne Technologies

UPC manufactures specialized machine seals for the space industry, including port seals, omega seals, beam seals and pressure-assisted seals.

The construction of this site has been several years in the making. The site was chosen for its business friendly environment, its beauty and ability to expand. 

They will have 20 employees working onsite and plan to have 100 in about a year.

UPC seals on display.
Guests were provided tours of the facility.

Camas Grove Airport, WA —  FLYIT ACADEMY, a flight training school, proudly announces its commitment to going green with alternative fuel in the aviation community.  Under the leadership of owner Rick Andersen, FLYIT ACADEMY is spearheading a green revolution in the aviation industry, setting a precedent for others to follow.

Recognizing the pressing need to reduce carbon emissions and minimize the ecological impact of aviation, Rick Andersen has made it a top priority to pursue environmentally friendly solutions within his flight school. By introducing alternative fuel options at Camas Grove Airport (1W1), FLYIT ACADEMY aims to make significant contributions towards building a greener and more sustainable aviation community.

To celebrate this significant milestone, FLYIT ACADEMY will be hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand debut of the alternative fuel truck Thursday, June 1st, from 4-6 pm at Grove Field Airport. The entire FLYIT ACADEMY team and the Port of Camas Washougal are excited for this inspiring occasion, bringing together aviation enthusiasts, industry leaders, and environmental advocates to witness the positive impact that sustainable choices can make within the aviation sector.

“We are excited to help pioneer this crucial endeavor in the aviation industry,” said Rick Andersen, owner of the flight school. “As a responsible member of the general aviation industry, we believe it is our duty to take proactive steps towards minimizing our carbon footprint and fostering a cleaner future. We are proud to be the first airport in the state of Washington to offer alternative fuel, and we hope this initiative will inspire other aviation communities to join us in our commitment to sustainability. 

ABOUT FLYIT ACADEMY:

FLYIT ACADEMY’s goal is to teach the art of flying for everyday people with a healthy community and that includes a healthy environment. Lead is not healthy in our community. That’s why they’ve invested not only in the fuel truck but in a brand new state of the art certified light sport Vans RV12is for the future of our training direction. Its FADEC system averages 3.5 gal per hour which is 1/3 the fuel consumption of a comparable Cessna 172 and it is designed for unleaded fuel. We are committed to creating solutions for a greener future.”

FLYIT ACADEMY has experienced remarkable growth since its establishment four years ago, a testament to the high-quality training and dedication to safety exemplified by the flight school. The introduction of alternative fuel options further solidifies FLYIT ACADEMY’s position as a forerunner in the aviation community, demonstrating their commitment not only to producing skilled pilots but also to preserving the environment for future generations.

FLYIT ACADEMY extends its sincere gratitude to the Port of Camas-Washougal for playing a pivotal role in making the introduction of alternative fuel a reality. Their unwavering support and collaboration have been instrumental in this groundbreaking achievement.

FLYIT ACADEMY is a leading flight school committed to providing high-quality pilot training and aviation education. With a focus on safety, skill development, and community-building, FLYIT ACADEMY aims to produce exceptional pilots while championing environmental sustainability within the aviation industry.

For more information visit www.flyitacademy.com