The aerial tour
Rêves de Gosse
Live the “Rêves de gosse” experience with Aéropyrénées
For several years, AEROPYRENEES has been an official partner of Rêves de Gosse.
Dear readers and aviation enthusiasts, we are excited to share that the “Rêve de gosse” association is back on tour in 2023!
In 2017, we decided to get more involved by organizing, alongside the Base Latécoère Catalane aeroclub, the launch of the Rêves de Gosse Aerial Tour.
Once again this year, several Aéropyrénées crews are participating in the “Rêve de gosse” adventure. The aerial tour, which is the final stage of the operation, connects the nine stopover cities by air. During this magical day, children have the chance to take a flight offered by the Chevaliers du Ciel. We are proud to support this wonderful initiative, to which we are fully committed.
At Aéropyrénées, we share the same ideologies as the association and are convinced of the importance of making the dreams of both “ordinary” and “extraordinary” children a reality, regardless of their differences and stories.
The creation of Rêves de Gosse
The Rêves de Gosse Aerial Tour was created by the charitable organization Les Chevaliers du Ciel, founded and led by Jean-Yves GLEMEE. He was already involved in the Latécoère raid, which aims to bring medicine to children in Africa.
Thus, the “Rêves de Gosse” project was born, initiated by five pilots who formed the Chevaliers du Ciel association. This initiative embodies values such as mutual aid, sharing, self-acceptance, and embracing differences. The project offers children with disabilities or illnesses the opportunity to experience their first flight in an airplane.
The association now has over fifteen members, and 25,283 children have had the chance to live their dream.
The educational project
This initiative is based on the meeting and acceptance of disabilities and differences by both “ordinary” and “extraordinary” children. The project is implemented in each city by local organizers in collaboration with staff who work with the children.
“Rêves de gosse” is integrated into their educational program throughout the year: children participate in workshops focused on aeronautics. They illustrate their dreams through drawings, which sparks their imagination, and the promise of a discovery flight not only motivates them in their work but also allows them to realize that dream.
This project enables these “extraordinary” children to interact with “ordinary” children from their first year, engaging in activities together and preventing any feelings of exclusion.
The steps
1st Step: Getting to Know Each Other
One or two meetings are organized around various fun activities (group games, snacks, etc.) to allow the children to get acquainted. The pairs of extraordinary and ordinary children are formed during these initial encounters.
2nd Step: Discovering
The children explore and study the theme of their Remarkable Action. Site visits are organized, and documentation is provided to the pairs.
3rd Step: Creating
The children reproduce or illustrate what they have seen on the chosen medium(s) by the facilitators (drawings, painting, collages, models, murals, etc.).
Multiple types of media facilitate effective participation, allowing children to express themselves in the way that best suits their abilities. These working sessions, conducted under the guidance of their usual instructors, help children acclimate to collective activities.
4th Step: Exhibiting
The creations of each pair are displayed and discussed in the Rêves de Gosse village on the day of the discovery flights.
A description of each remarkable action is included in the informational document provided to all the caravan crews upon arrival. The exhibition area serves as a central hub for activities in the village (press conference, various speeches).
Once the meetings between the children have taken place, the volunteer crews take over to provide them with unforgettable moments and bring radiant smiles to their faces
THE 2023 TOUR
FROM MAY 19 TO 27
1st Step: STARTING POINT / VENTISERI Solenzara
Date: May 19, 2023
Educational Projects: “The Mediterranean, Its Ecosystem and Ecology”
Objectives:
- Inclusion and acceptance of differences for the benefit of children with special needs
- Raising awareness among children about their environment
- Promoting eco-citizenship
Participants: 65 ordinary children and 95 extraordinary children
The goal is to help children gain a better understanding of their environment and raise their awareness about the preservation of their ecosystem through various educational activities and school outings.
The theme of the step “The Mediterranean, Its Ecosystem and Ecology.”
2nd Step: Nîmes Stage Organized by Kiwanis Division La Provence
Date: May 20, 2023
Educational Projects: “Aerial Ballets between Alpilles and Pays Salonais”
Objectives:
- Seek the unexpected through the integration of everyone
- Promote mutual aid and self-confidence
- Create connections and accept differences
Participants: 50 ordinary children and 118 extraordinary children
Aerial choreography was the central theme around which all sports and artistic activities were organized.
The theme of the step “Aerial Ballets between Alpilles and Pays Salonais.”
3rd Step: Chambéry Stage Organized by Lions Chambéry
Date: May 21, 2023
Educational Projects: “Say, Bird, Take Me to the Stars”
Objectives:
- Discover the other, who is different, fragile, and moving
- Share a dream to learn about and appreciate one another, ultimately seeing beyond differences
- Create new friendships that will make the world more tolerant
Participants: 70 ordinary children and 99 extraordinary children
The focus will be on producing artistic creations in workshops while emphasizing ecology and environmental responsibility.
The theme of the step “Say, Bird, Take Me to the Stars.”
4th Step: Bern Stage Organized by Lions Club Emme-Aare and Lions Club Erlinsburg
Date: May 22, 2023
Educational Projects: “In the Footsteps of JJ Rousseau, Nature and Us”
Objectives:
- Educational: Discover the botanical diversity of the Black Lake region
- Sociological: Promote assistance and collaboration between ordinary and extraordinary children
Participants: 58 ordinary children and 90 extraordinary children
The children participate in an educational and sociological experience by exploring the botanical diversity of the Black Lake region while learning to collaborate.
The theme of the step “In the Footsteps of JJ Rousseau, Nature and Us.”
5th Step: Lons Le Saunier Stage Organized by MCP les Tontons Flingueurs
Date: May 23, 2023
Educational Projects: “A Magical Day is Too Short!”
Objectives:
- Read the book “Three Days is Too Short!”
- Express through drawings, little notes, painting on pebbles, and decorating a sidecar model.
- Form groups of two extraordinary children and one ordinary child to promote inclusion.
- Learn a song and foster team cohesion during the meetings.
Participants: 50 ordinary children and 105 extraordinary children
The children will read a book together, create artistic works, and work in groups to enhance team cohesion.
The theme of the step “A Magical Day is Too Short!”
6th Step: Bellerive sur Allier Stage
Date: May 24, 2023
Educational Projects: “Stronger Together”
Objectives:
- Bring children together to build relationships around a common project
- Implement activities and workshops to promote coexistence
- Encourage children and their parents to participate in city events with an inclusion goal
- Facilitate the integration of extraordinary children within the local schools (goal of 4 inclusive schools)
Participants: 84 ordinary children and 53 extraordinary children
The objective is to create an inclusive environment by uniting children around a common project, organizing activities and workshops to promote coexistence, and encouraging family participation in city events. The aim is to facilitate the integration of extraordinary children into the local schools.
The theme of the step “Stronger Together.”
7th Step: Les Mureaux Stage Organized by the “RÊVES DE GOSSE IDF” Association
Date: May 25, 2023
Educational Projects: “Extraordinary Pilots”
Objectives:
- Show children that “extraordinary” individuals (such as those with motor disabilities, hearing impairments, etc.) can become pilots despite their differences
- Promote acceptance of differences through monthly meetings from January to June
- Facilitate the inclusion of extraordinary children in schools and colleges
Participants: 81 ordinary children and 92 extraordinary children
The project aims to demonstrate to children that extraordinary individuals can become pilots regardless of their differences and to promote the inclusion of extraordinary children in schools and colleges.
The theme of the step “Extraordinary Pilots.”
8th Step: Orléans Stage Organized by JCE Orléans
Date: May 26, 2023
Educational Projects: “Little Explorers”
Objectives:
- Explore Orléans and its surroundings
- Discover the local fauna, flora, and history of Orléans
- Learn about different forms of art
- Raise awareness about ecological issues
Participants: 55 ordinary children and 85 extraordinary children
This discovery day is dedicated to the city of Orléans, its ecosystems, and its history, aiming to raise children’s awareness of their environment and local heritage.
The theme of the step “Little Explorers.”
9th and Final Step: Cazaux Stage Organized by “Band a Goss” and “ANORAAE, Guyenne Sector”
Date: May 27, 2023
Educational Projects: EOLE – Together Let’s Dare Their Flight, “Making the Invisible Visible”
Objectives:
- Raise awareness among children about this major aspect of our lives
- Ensure that children are active participants, hand in hand, in their discoveries
- Activities should be playful, sensory, scientific, or artistic
Participants: 70 ordinary children and 90 extraordinary children
The day of May 27 will be dedicated to encouraging children to become active participants in their own discoveries by engaging in playful, sensory, scientific, and artistic activities.
The theme of the step “Making the Invisible Visible.”
The baptism
The air baptism is offered to children who participated in the educational project.
It serves as a way for them to discover the various landscapes of our country and its regions from a completely different perspective. They also experience the new sensation that flying can provide.
The discovery flight allows these children to enjoy an extraordinary day that will undoubtedly be unforgettable for each of them.
