The Blue Barn is your go-to destination for chapters and Young Eagles at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh! Located on Knapp Street across from the Forums Plaza, the Blue Barn features daily forums, best practices displays, an EAA chapter map, and information about how to get involved with EAA’s chapters and volunteer aviation outreach programs.
Stop by the Blue Barn and:
- Take part in the Chapter Group photo at Brown Arch – Tuesday at 9am.
- Check in on the progress of the One Week Pancake Griddle Fabrication.
- Register to meet with tax attorney Patti Arthur.
- Attend forums about growing your chapter, engaging youth, and more.
- Enter daily Y.E. Pilots Headset Give-a-Way’s.
- Flight Outfitters Pilot Your Own Adventure Chapter Contest.
- Test your speed in the World’s Fastest Clecoer Contest, held daily.
- Win flight simulator controls for your chapter.
Sign up for a one-on-one consultation with volunteer tax attorney Patti Arthur to help your chapter understand basic rules of tax-exempt organizations and how to get tax-exempt status for your chapter. Free 30-minute consultations are available throughout the week.
Chapter Mass Group Photo - Tuesday, July 22, at 9 a.m. at the Brown Arch: All chapter members welcome! Join the mass group photo to represent your chapter. Wear your chapter clothing and bring your chapter banner.
EAA Blue Barn 2025 Schedule of Events
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Monday, July 21, 2025
10 - 11:15 a.m. | Starting a New EAA Chapter
Presented by: Serena BrouilletteLearn all about starting a new EAA chapter at your home airport.
11:30 - 12:45 a.m. | 501(c)(3) Status and Your Chapter
Presented by: Patti ArthurLearn about how easy it is to become a 501(c)(3) charitable tax-exempt organization!
1 - 2:15 PM | How to Build a Successful Chapter – One Step at a Time
Presented by: Tim ConnorTim Connor of EAA Chapter 5 shares things you need to know to take your chapter to Gold status and beyond.
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Tuesday, July 22, 2025
8:30 - 9:45 p.m. | Simple Strategies for Chapter Leadership
Presented by: Terry CusackLearn what works to make your chapter more fun and attractive to new and existing members.
10 - 11:15 p.m. | Hallmarks of Highly Successful EAA Chapters
Presented by: Chris GaugerLearn about the six things that EAA chapters can do to make them most successful and more engaging to their members.
11:30 - 12:45 p.m. | EAA Young Eagles Online Registration & Digital Signature App
Presented by: David LeitingYoung Eagles Online Registration (YEDay.org) and the EAA Digital Signature App can simplify your chapter’s rallies. Learn how your chapter can leverage these tools!
1:00 - 2:15 p.m. | Creating a Dynamic Chapter Newsletter
Presented by: Chuck FisherChapter 35 consistently puts out a great newsletter, and so can you! Learn how to offer value-added newsletter content to satisfy your members and grow your EAA chapter.
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Wednesday, July 23, 2025
8 - 9:45 a.m. | Successful Strategies for Growing Your EAA Chapter
Presented by: EAA 1522 Gordon DavisHear the inspiring story about how EAA Chapter 1522 continues to be a successful and engaged chapter in a rural community.
10:00 - 11:15 a.m. | EAA Young Eagles Rally Planning
Presented by: David LeitingCheck out the ins and outs of planning a successful Young Eagles rally, and learn some rally hosting best practices from other chapters.
11:30 - 12:45 p.m. | Chapter Donations: Handling Taxes and Record Keeping
Presented by: Patti ArthurIs your chapter a 501(c)(3)? Learn how to handle charitable donations.
1 - 2:15 p.m. | Amp Up Your IMC/VMC Club & Chapter Meetings
Presented by: Mark HansenLearn about extra content and activities that can make your IMC and VMC meetings more fun and engaging.
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Thursday, July 24, 2025
8 - 9:45 a.m. | Acquiring a New EAA Chapter Facility
Presented by: Karen Hughes CollinsLearn how EAA Chapter 1494 successfully navigated a pathway to a brand-new chapter education center.
10:00 - 11:15 a.m. | Recipe for Aviation Summer Camp
Presented by: Terry CusackLearn what works at EAA Chapter 976 to make a great summer aviation youth camp for kids.
11:30 - 12:45 p.m. | 501(c)(3) Status and Your Chapter
Presented by: Patti ArthurLearn about how easy it is to become a 501(c)(3) charitable tax-exempt organization.
1 - 2:15 p.m. | Ray Aviation Scholarship — Putting Young Eagles in the Pilot Seat
Presented by: Chris GaugerCome learn all about the Ray Aviation Scholarship program for EAA chapters beginning with the rules of program participation to making successful new pilots!
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Friday, July 25, 2025
10:00 - 11:15 a.m. | EAA Flying Start – Growing Aviation Participation at Your Local Airport
Presented by: David LeitingEAA’s Flying Start program is a great chapter tool for growing your membership and local aviation participation. Learn how your chapter can get involved!
11:30 - 12:45 p.m. | EAA AeroEducate for Your Chapter – Aviation Activities for Youths
Presented by: Danielle SchmickLearn about EAA’s newest youth outreach program that your EAA chapter will want to participate in.
1 - 2:15 p.m. | Online Presence for EAA Chapters
Presented by: Chris GaugerIf your chapter does not have an online presence, then it may as well not exist. Learn how chapters can use websites and social media to reach out to their members and the public.
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Saturday, July 26, 2025
10:00 - 11:15 a.m. | How to Bring RC Model Aviation Lessons and Activities Into Your EAA Chapter
Presented by: Lee RayLearn directly from the RC building and flying experts of Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) to share best practices to create a robust RC building program at your chapter.
