Celebrating the landmark 10-year anniversary of Camp Sikorsky, more than 400 Boy and Girl Scouts and their leaders – from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York – will pitch their tents today for a three-day campout on the Sikorsky Aircraft grounds in Stratford. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

From Sept.16-18, the scouts will learn about aerospace, electricity, emergency preparedness, energy and other Merit Badge subjects. Sikorsky subject matter experts, from a cross-section of different company departments, will share their knowledge with the scouts. Many of these Sikorsky employees are former scouts and continue to volunteer for other scouting activities throughout the year. The scouts also tour the production facility, including the avionics labs and final assembly lines, getting a bird’s-eye view of helicopter manufacturing.

“Scouting teaches valuable skills and encourages these young folks to become involved in their communities and to be responsive to the needs of others,” said David Adler, President, Sikorsky Aerospace Services. “We share these values at Sikorsky and welcome the opportunity to help mentor our young scouts, some of whom might someday choose careers in aerospace,” said Adler, a former assistant scoutmaster, and Connecticut Yankee Council Executive Board member.

“Camp Sikorsky continues to offer invaluable experiences to our boys. In fact, as a direct result of earning the Aviation Merit Badge at Camp Sikorsky a few years ago, one of my scouts decided to pursue aviation as his focus in college,” said Chuck Waldo, Scoutmaster from Troop 231 of Wolcott, Conn. Throughout the years, Camp Sikorsky has been an inspiration for many young Scouts interested in the aerospace industry. Today, two former scouts who attended the camp as kids are employed by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.

Sergei Sikorsky, son of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. founder Igor Sikorsky, will be the keynote speaker on Saturday evening. Recently inducted as an honorary lifetime member of the Helicopter Association International (HAI) by its Board of Directors, Sergei followed in his father’s footsteps to promote the advancement of the aerospace industry. He held international marketing and manufacturing assignments for more than 41 years and retired in 1992 as vice president, special projects, and remains active with the company as a consultant.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide.