Children conquer their fear of flying at Aviodrome

In the weekend of June 29 and 30, Aviodrome, together with Stichting VALK, is organizing the Fear of Flying Weekend. For the first time this year especially for children and parents with fear of flying.

Fear of flying is common and increasingly so among children. During this special weekend a team of psychologists and pilots will give various workshops in a playful and interactive way. All children and parents are welcome during the Fear of Flying weekend at Aviodrome.

Fear of flying among children on the rise

Fear of flying is common. One-third of adults suffer from fear of flying. In varying degrees. No one is born with it and it can happen to anyone.

Until recently, fear of flying among children was rare. However, the VALK Foundation sees this rising sharply.

Dr. Lucas van Gerwen of the VALK Foundation:"Children are very visually oriented, coverage of tragic accidents like the one with MH17 on TV and certainly Youtube, make a very deep impression. Impressions that are a breeding ground for fear of flying in children. The workshops we give during the fear of flying weekend gives the children control over these fears again, so that they eventually disappear."

Workshops

On June 29 and 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the afternoon, 6 different workshops will take place throughout the day.

Workshops where participants get answers to questions such as: What is fear? How does it work in aviation? Can you practice flying? What can a traveling companion do? And finally: How do you master your fear?

Any visitor in possession of a valid admission ticket may participate. Museum annual passes and BankGiro Lottery VIP cards have free admission. Registration is not necessary. The workshops form one large whole but can also be taken separately.

About the VALK Foundation

The VALK Foundation is a partnership of KLM, Leiden University, Transavia, ArkeFly, Martinair and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (the letters VALK stand for VliegAngstbestrijding Leidse Universiteit KLM). Founded in 1989, the institute treats people with fear of flying and related complaints based on years of scientific research.

Together with the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology at Leiden University, they conduct ongoing research into fear of flying treatment methods. The treatment methods of the VALK Foundation are leading in the world. Its scientific research, treatments and results set the standard for countless fear of flying institutes worldwide.