Drones and Cones helps Valley youth develop career skills

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley and Trinidad State College are excited to present Drones & Cones. This collaborative educational opportunity will give teens an introduction to drone use and show how the technology has advanced in ways that continue to have a broad impact on a wide variety of industries.

This two-day event will happen on Friday, August 26, from 4 to 6:00 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club Alamosa site at 1115 10th Street. Valley youth will learn about drones, drone licensing, and career paths. The event will conclude with drone flying on Saturday, August 27, from 9 a.m. to noon at the North River Road Pavilion.

Friday at the Club will include Ice Cream Cones (the Cones in our Drones & Cones!), and breakfast burritos and beverages will be served on Saturday at the Pavilion.

Drone development and use has skyrocketed in the last decade, with applications ranging from Real Estate and Nature Photography to Natural Resource Management, Urban Planning, Infrastructure Management, and Emergency Search and Rescue. By providing Valley youth with gateway experiences in drone piloting, licensing, and career awareness broadens their understanding of this growing field and expands their options for success as a 21st century professional.

The average salary for drone pilots in Colorado is $82,000 with an expected 51 percent national growth rate, nationally (100,000 new pilots needed). Annual salaries for drone pilots in the U.S. typically fall between $60,000 to $100,000.

Contact the Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley at (719) 589-5252 for additional information or to sign-up for Drones & Cones. Valley youth are welcome to attend one or both days of the event. Parents are welcome to attend and observe. 

Learn more about our unique UAS program here.