Andy Gough: thank you for the translation :-)
You got the gist of the message out clear.

First, the official contact:
Karkonoskie Stowarzyszenie Szybowcowe
ul Długa 61
58-521 Jeżów Sudecki
Poland


http://www.kssjezow.pl/pl/
(there is an English version there as well, but Polish is current)

I will edit/translate the syllabus/description of one of the past camps and post it here ASAP (as requested by Kevin). All specific questions might be best answered at the address listed above, I am writing this (authorized) post as one of community members benefiting from KSS activity, but I will try to get here directly as much info and feedback as possible. This (KSS) initiative works, I have seen it firsthand.

Some of (my own) comments:

There seem to be a perception in the US of a big difference/barrier between local and XC flight. This is how I read posts here. But another perception is possible. Here in Poland one CANNOT get license without doing at least one short XC. Students do them, it is seen as normal (I do not claim casual, students and instructors prepare seriously). But there is no perception "local is fun, XC is hard work". I repeat, no perception barrier. Student train (syllabus) for outfield landings, precision landings, down/cross wind landings, from above high obstacle landings etc. Students outland moderately often (this is considered error given small distances involved, but accepted grudgingly, with everybody respecting the "1000ft? - LAND!" rule). Ships sometimes get damaged, injuries are rare. But we know what business we are in.

Do not think XC requires fancy ships. We do much XC training using L/D30 (theoretical) wooden SZD-30. It used to be a matter of honor to do diamond distance on an L/D 30 ship before flying some better machine. Do not think XC=private owners. Most of my fellow club members who do XC do not own any ship (hard thing for a 19 year old, or someone raising a family). Do not think for individual pilots money has to be a deciding issue. After training (expensive, no way around that) full weekend of XC using club equipment (no individual investment) is about $150 for 2 4-hours flights (8hrs total), tug tows included.

Dave: you write "Why must every glider pilot be forced to become a cross country soaring and racing pilot?". This is exactly what my wife (400+hrs) was saying when asked to participate in competitions. But when she took part in her first KSS camp she got hooked. Hooked into the camp concept, not competitions. These camps are not (ostensibly) to train ratrace racers, they are to enjoy soaring. You may soar above airfield all the camp time (some people do), but you still are in the group of fellow enthusiast (well, you are still expected to drive to the boonies to get them out often :-) ). You are not frown down for doing it in any way which gives YOU fun. The KSS motto is "Soar! Nothing else matters!" - and it is being lived. XC training is a means to the end.

But even if you think XC is not for you, or not for you yet, befriending a national-level competition pilot who will discuss with you, as an equal, some details of your or his thermalling is something which really does increase the fun factor overall. And you do this in a group. And you feel you belong, whatever your hours. This is (among other things) what these camps are about. I repeat - one thing these camps do is to integrate, to make evident there are no barriers.

I think also that "fun" is greatly increased if you get your technique better.
For one thing, you will be able to fly on days which beforehand you would skip. And these camps help a lot with technique at any level.

Last, I think the reference to Great Depression (Bill) is quite relevant. What matters mostly is in our heads and hands.

Piotr Szafranski




Remember, soaring began in the US during the Great Depression. All we need is a few thousand new people - and they are out there waiting to be found. I think the problem is entirely our own pessimism.