The Oakland Cloud Dusters’ (OCD) purpose is to promote the sport of free-flying model aviation, especially among young people. Model aircraft building and flying is a technical sport, incorporating the disciplines of aerodynamics, efficient structures, physics, and atmosphere dynamics. Designing, building and flying small aircraft provides opportunities to confidently apply, hands-on, subjects taught in schools. Participation in science competitions using airplanes is encouraged, and has been very successful.

Working with local middle and high schools and recreation centers the OCD supervises construction and flying of rubber-band powered and glider airplanes by boys and girls as young as 5 years old. Frequent competitions indoors and outdoors keep interest high and encourage individual effort to excel. Girls can compete on equal footing with boys. The sport attracts gifted students and reaches young people who are not athletically gifted, including some who are physically challenged. All can find a creative outlet in model aircraft.

The OCD raises money to support the youth programs from monetary and merchandise donations, member’s dues, and raffles of donated items. Interested youth under 18 receive free membership in the OCD. Merchandise donations are used only for competition prizes or to help beginners who otherwise would not be able to afford some advanced aircraft. A major expense is rental of indoor and outdoor flying sites. Supplies such as glues, special rubber bands, light weight covering materials, tools and other supporting items are provided by the OCD or by individual members. The OCD also may purchase junior and senior memberships to the Academy of Model Aeronautics (the national governing body and insuring agency for model aviation) for deserving young beginners.

Past and present members of the OCD hold or have held National records and have competed in and won major international competitions representing the United States as members of official US teams. The OCD encourages young people to compete for places on the junior US international teams to represent the US at Federation Aeronautique Internationale events overseas and in the US. Coaching from experienced flyers is essential for success, and US junior teams have done well in past competitions.

The youth program funds are kept separately from the OCD senior club activities funds.