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Local entrepreneur pitches free STEM summer camp for Columbus County students
Summary
William Willerford, founder and CEO of Ascend Aerospace Incorporated, introduced a proposed free Southeast North Carolina STEM summer camp aimed at Columbus County middle and high school students; he said the inaugural camp would target 2027 and that he is not asking the board for funding.
William (Bill) Willerford, founder and CEO of Ascend Aerospace Incorporated, told the Columbus County Board of Education he wants to bring a free, hands-on STEM summer camp to the county for middle and high school students, with an inaugural session planned for 2027.
Willerford said the program would give students practical experience in robotics, artificial intelligence, cyber security and drones and would partner with military and higher-education contacts to secure instructors. "I'm not asking for anything. I'm not looking for money," he told the board, adding that he hopes to secure grants and sponsorships to cover costs for campers.
Why it matters: Willerford framed the camp as both workforce development and enrichment, saying the technologies have civilian and public-safety uses—from agriculture to emergency response—and that local students should have access to those learning opportunities.
Program details and logistics presented to the board included an initial pilot in which a small number of local students would travel to an established camp model in Northern Virginia, stay at a military facility, and return to Columbus County to help run a future local camp. Willerford said the model includes a "train the trainer" component so students who attend could later help run the summer programming locally and that he anticipates starting planning now for a summer 2027 launch.
Board members and staff responded positively and offered suggestions to connect the proposal to existing local programs. Members recommended highlighting agricultural and construction applications of drone technology and partnering with organizations such as Future Farmers of America and Southeastern Community College to align the camp with local workforce needs.
Next steps: Willerford asked the board to support the effort by helping spread the word and provide input and contacts; he said he is pursuing grants and partnerships to fund the program and did not request district funds during the presentation.
