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| Campers from Yesteryear on the Voyager's Bridge. These kids are all in their early to mid 20's today. |
Hello Troops,
Today's historical post takes us through January 2002, beginning to end. There is so much history in these posts. Many names are mentioned: Mark Daymont, Bill Schuler, Kyle Herring, Lorraine Houston, James Porter, Stephen Porter, Bailey Hodson, Justin Leavitt, Matt Long, Brady Young, Bryson Lystrup, Randy Jepperson, Scott Slaugh, Dave Wall, Brian Hawkins, Jennifer Remy, David Merrell, Chris Call, Rio Downs, Josh Webb, and Tanner Edwards.
I realize reading really old news about things that no longer seem relevant to the Space Centering community may not be your cup of tea so why do I post these old blog posts?
1. I don't want this history lost. These posts come from the old YahooGroup, the Space Center's first blog, online community. Most of you don't have access to that group. The history needs to move from that source to this one.
2. Nearly everything you love most about the Space Centers had its start at the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center. For decades, the CMSEC was the ONLY center. We were the pioneers of this movement. And nothing much has changed in the methodology except the technology. If you are really a fan of the Space Centers then you should be curious as to how this all started. You'll find that here in these historical posts.
3. Finally, many of the old staff and volunteers, the true pioneers of simulator centered experiential education, enjoy walking down memory lane. These post bring back those days when they were the volunteers, staff, flight directors, and supervisors.
Please enjoy these snapshots of yesteryear at the Space Center.
Mr. Williamson
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| Leave it to the staff to come up with some pretty weird costumes! June 2007 |
Post from the Past. Work Getting Done of the Christmas Break. Magellan Control Room Enlarged. Honor's Night Coming Up. Odyssey to Switch Hands.
January 1, 2002.
Hello Troops,
News Years Day 2002. We start another year of activities at the Center. This last week, even though we were closed had news.
Voyager:
The Voyager's metal banisters, stairways, and ladders are being repainted by Josh Webb. I was just down there inspecting the work. It looks good.
Galileo:
Nothing
Falcon:
Nothing
Odyssey:
Kyle Herring is working on the Odyssey. The Odyssey needs new hatches, some paint and general repairs.
Magellan:
By far the story again for this Christmas season is the Magellan. Last Christmas the Magellan was overhauled. This Christmas it is Maggie's control room. Permission to enlarge the Control Room was long in coming. At first we couldn't convince Dr. Jacobson of the
need. Once he realized the need it was then a matter of time and contacting the right people. I called in the District people and got the go ahead from them. Three bids were obtained. The lowest bid went to Wootten Construction. Yes, Chase's dad had a little time over the Christmas break in between building houses to do the job. With a low bid and District permission we got permission from the principal and construction started.
As of today the wall separating the control room and the hallway has been opened. The electrical work is finished. New doors are being installed to help with the sound problem.
Work left to be done: carpeting, new stairs to the entrance hall, a new countertop, and then of course putting everything back together. Construction should be finished by this Friday for the overnight mission.
Honors Night:
I trust all of you read about the date change for Honor's Night. Please remember that tomorrow night at 6:00 P.M. we have the official handover of the Odyssey's microphone to Chris Call. Chris will be presented the microphone by David Merrell. Afterwards we will have a chance to say goodbye to David. All are welcome to attend but I would like to specially invite all Green Shirts past and present - especially all Green Shirts that currently work or have worked in the Odyssey.
Also, please plan on attending our first bimonthly Honor's Night at the end of January. We have 500 pt pillowcases to award along with a few 1500 pt blankets. We also have new label pins for all those that have reached their 1 year of volunteering. Honor's Night will also be the time we honor those volunteers and staff that are leaving us. There are a few Voyagers and perhaps two of our older Blue Shirts that will be officially retiring. If your schedule will no longer permit volunteering please let us know so we can all say goodbye at Honor's Night. Please don't just disappear. Let me know if you can't volunteer anymore so we can say goodbye properly at an Honor's Night.
I trust all had a good Christmas and all are ready to go back to school and work. I for one am ready.
Course Set...................... Engage!
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| The Magellan Crew back in the day. June 2007. Ready, Waiting and as you can see... Armed! |
Post from the Past. Space Center Journal. Letting the Voyager Speak. Report on Starting Back Up after the Christmas Holiday. The Magellan's New Controls are Good.
Shadows was Too Scary for Cherry Hill's ALL Students. Staff Want to Sell Their Gift Cards. Chris Call Takes Over as Odyssey's Set Director. Goodbye David Merrell. We Appreciate the Female Staff and Volunteers!
January 6, 2002.
Hello Troops,
We are back to work. Vacation ended Tuesday. Back to normal on Wednesday.I decided not to have a field trip on the first day back. I felt teachers wouldn't have the time to brief their students or if they had before the Christmas break the kids would have forgotten the
briefing anyway.
I was excited to reopen the Space Center. The Briefing Room has new carpet and some touch up painting. The Voyager's Bridge has some new paint as well. I walked up on the Bridge Wednesday morning, sat in the Captain's chair, and listened. The sound of the air conditioner lightly masked the whispers of a theater ready and waiting for an audience. The chairs neatly pushed in and keyboards at the ready. A slight mental hesitation opened the door of doubt. I was the one wondering whether I was ready. Would I remember the Supernova story? You may be laughing thinking how could I forget a story I tell two or
three times a day four days a week - especially only after a two week pause. Sometimes you do, but it does all come back quickly.
Here are the facts for the week:
SCHOOL'S SERVICED:
Last week we serviced the Fifth Grade from Sharon Elementary School. A real challenge. They tried but a challenge. Thursday's afternoon crew was the slowest to train by far for the year. So many questions. Tape training for some children doesn't do the job. They want to be shown.
We also had two classes from Jordan Ridge Elementary School. The principal of Jordan Ridge was an old student teacher of mine. The teacher came bearing instructions from Mr. Smith. I was told he expected his school to be given first booking privileges for next year
because of his position as Chief Space Center Principal for the Jordan School District!
I laughed and was about to say they would have to take their turn with all other schools outside of the district until she pulled out a nice sized check - on time and the correct amount. "No problem. You tell Danny Smith to call the first week of September and he can have what he wants." I replied snatching the check out of her hand. Now, I know what you are thinking..... money talks. You couldn't be further from the truth. It's a favor for an old friend. Nothing more. Besides the kids from the Jordan District are outstanding. The reason for their success is simple. Excellent preparation by their teachers.
PRIVATE MISSIONS:
We had a couple on Saturday. One Magellan and one Odyssey. Nothing to report.
OVERNIGHT MISSION:
Yes, we started the overnight missions again. Last Friday we had 46 campers. 43 from Cherry Hill Elementary School and 3 regular general public kids. The overnight mission was touch and go for the Magellan. All week the Magellan's new control room has been on the front burner. The counter tops were put in on Thursday. On Friday morning it seemed to be ready for launch. Matt Long arrived in mid afternoon to install and test the new programs for
several Magellan stations. I sat in the Briefing Room waiting to hear news from the Magellan, Falcon, and Galileo. All three haven't been run since before Christmas. One thing I've learned is that equipment always chooses to break down after a long period of inactivity.
Take the Voyager for instance. On Wednesday I started everything up to be sure everything was working. To my surprise it was! How odd - a long break and nothing broken. I couldn't be so lucky. On Thursday morning just as we were getting ready to start the overnight mission I found Mrs. Remy bent over one of the Voyager's VCR's. The middle VCR -
the one that has been with us almost from the beginning - wasn't working. Everytime you turned on the power it would begin fast forwarding. My theory proved true. So, on Friday evening I sat waiting to hear from the other simulators. The first news came in from the
Falcon. I was told the network was down. Bill and Mark began working on that. I was surprised by the Galileo. Nothing to report unless it was something they took care of.
The Magellan was different. Matt's programs have a few bugs It was also too warm in the simulator. The air conditioning wasn't working correctly. That was corrected. The biggest problem on the overnight was the staff of the Magellan getting use to the control room and the extra controls programmed into system. The general talk around the tables during the ice cream before bed ritual was the maddening number of buttons and indicators the Flight Controller and 2nd Chair have to monitor and operate. All in all - the Magellan's first overnighter with a new control room went much better than I anticipated. Congratulations!
I had a pretty good crew from Cherry Hill. Many of them were from the 6th Grade A.L.L.program. They were excited to do the Shadows story because of the comments they heard at school from their friends that had come a few weeks earlier. They told me they heard the story was really scary.
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| An Odyssey Camper doing "death time" in one of the old Odyssey's bunks. |
We got to the actually shadow stuff Saturday morning. Josh Webb got dressed up in the Grim Reaper costume and made his first appearance. There was a significant amount of screaming. Chairs flew as bodies dove for cover. The mission went downhill from that point on. No, the kids were focus - just too freaked out to do anything but hide.
Josh was down to the last two kids. All others were in Sick Bay. The first officer was hiding at engineering. He looked down and saw the computer on. Power was being restored. He shouted to all others still alive to come and help get things running. Strangely enough no one came. He was alone. He did nothing. He got up and ran to a new hiding place. At the end I questioned him about his decision not to try to escape from the dampening field. "This mission is too freaky," was his complaint. He wasn't giving me a compliment, it was criticism. He was really scared and didn't like it. He was frustrated because he knew their survival was up to him but he couldn't bring himself up to taking a risk and exposing himself by returning to work on the bridge.
STAFF NEWS: (Please be sure to send me emails with your current news).
I'm pleased to inform you that Mrs. Remy recently was recognized for being an outstanding Mentor and Coach for a student that won national honors at a science competition. Jennifer received a beautiful trophy and something even more impressive. She was presented a certificate announcing the naming of an real asteroid after her. Imagine having the world of astronomy recognize your work by naming one of the asteroids after you? Congratulations Jennifer!
INVENTORY:
The Magellan's control room gets added to the Space Center's inventory this last week. The Magellan's sliding air pressure doors are working again thanks to Kyle Herring and his father and a long piece of copper tubing.
CLASSIFIED ADS: (Anything you want to buy or sell) Randy Jepperson. is selling a $50.00 Provo Town Center Mall gift card for $45.00. We are also looking for staff who shop at WalMart or Sam's Club on a regular basis and would be willing to buy WalMart gift cards from our staff. The Blue Shirts would like to sell their gift cards to get some real cash. The cards come in $25, $50, and $100 dollar amounts. The Gift Cards are just like real cash at the stores. The
down side is you don't get cash back. You just keep using the card until all of its value is used up. If you are interested in helping our Blue Shirts sell their cards please let me know.
EDITOR'S THOUGHTS: Report on David's Farewell Night.
Tuesday evening David Merrell performed his last official duty as a Set Director at the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center. At 7:10 P.M. the ceremonial Passing of the Mic was performed. David stood by the Odyssey main entrance and handing Chris Call the Odyssey's current main microphone. The event started at 6:00 P.M. A history of the Odyssey was given along with thoughts and comments from the current flight directors. David took a few moments and spoke about working at the Center. We learned that "The Great Space Race," was his favorite mission. "Comet Trap," was his worst. He won't miss training but said he will miss the moments when you get a crew that "gets it"and rises to the occasion and completes a mission.
The meeting ended at 7:00 P.M. We enjoyed refreshments provided by Lorraine Houston in the Discovery. I want to thank all those that attend.
Chris Call is now the official Set Director for the Odyssey. I pleased to see him take ownership of the simulator. He is already making changes to make the set reflect his own personal style. Scott Slaugh has been hired to create a new tactical stack. There are also
many new changes and upgrades coming.
Please remember to attend Honors Night on January 24th.
One other thing - I want to take a moment to say how much I appreciate our outstanding female staff. This last overnight mission had six of them working.... Mrs. Houston, Mrs. Remy, Rio, Metta, Aspen, and Jennifer. They really brighten up the place and provide superb roll models for the girls that come to camp. They also provide a much needed female perspective to an overwhelmingly male dominated place. Thanks Ladies for what you do and your patience with "us boys".
And now, those famous words.
That is all..................
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| Voyager Security in Training. June 2007 |
Post from the Past. Space Center Journal. The Staff Enjoy Themselves at Olive Garden. Intolerance Taken out and Dusted Off!? Dave Wall Returns to the Space Center! Bryce Redd's Birthday. Handling a Bed Wetting Episode. The Porters are Back from Mexico. Lots of Equipment Failures. Handle our Customers Well - I'm Always Listening. Where are the Flight Directors? The Overnight Camp is Starting.
January 11, 2002
Hello Troops,
Several of the Green Shirts enjoyed an early dinner at the Olive Garden yesterday. They gave us a separate table surrounded by three walls for a bit of privacy. We enjoyed iced raspberry lemonade, Italian food, delicious salad, breadsticks, and each other's company?
A sort of late Christmas gift from me to the Set and Flight Directors. We talked and laughed to the point they were wondering if we would ever leave. The waiter and hostess kept coming around looking at us and then at their watches. I glanced at the lobby. It was crowded to overflowing out the door. We had been there 1 and 1/2 hours hogging up
the best table in the place. It was fun and needed. We discovered that we really enjoy each others company.
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| The Magellan Admiral is NOT amused. June 2007 |
Here are the facts for the week:
SCHOOL'S SERVICED:
Last week we serviced the Fifth Grade from Forbes Elementary School. Each class was composed of 18 to 19 students. That gave the Odyssey the first three days of the week off. Chris worked in the Voyager with me. I think afterwards he was glad to be back in the Odyssey!
We also had one class from Wasatch Elementary School in Provo paired up with one of the sixth grade classes from Mt. Mahogany Elementary in Pleasant Grove. Both groups had over 30 students. We opened the Galileo those two days. The class from Wasatch had 34 kids! Pam Fossum is quite a teacher to handle 34 sixth graders - and all of them were above average. Jennifer was amazed at what they could do considering the struggling we did with the classes from Sharon last week. I told Pam that I once taught 39 students in my Sixth Grades class. It was the 1985-1986 school year. To you that may seem so long ago but to me it was just a skip away. I actually had 40 for awhile but one boy was transferred to another school. That was the best year I ever taught. I worked twice as hard but the kids were tremendous and worked had for the most part. That was the year our Young Astronaut Club was honored by being selected to be an official United States representative to the International Young Astronaut Conference in Japan. I went with three of my Sixth Graders.
Everything was paid for except our airfare. We traveled all over Japan meeting students and teachers for two weeks. It was an experience never to be forgotten.
I want to thank Kyle Herring for coming in on the days we need to open the Galileo for large classes. I realize he is busy starting up his own businesses and appreciate his dedication to the Center and the students that support us.
PRIVATE MISSIONS:
A slow week for private missions. The Odyssey had a couple. The Voyager had one - a group of sixth graders from the Jordan District. They did the Supernova story a month earlier so we had to dig out and dust off the intolerance mission. It was rocky for me at first to try to remember it but I had a good staff to help. Brady Young and Bryson Lystrup jumped in and had everything ready. We even finished the mission. It was a welcome relief to do a different mission once in awhile.
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| The Voyager Crew descending the ship's spiral staircase. June 2007 |
OVERNIGHT MISSION:
Last Friday we had 45 campers from Sego Lily Elementary School in Lehi. They were all Fifth Graders. Yes, that means most of the simulators drop to level 0 missions. Sign in went smoothly. I was standing there with 45 kids - already done with my pre-visit rule review and divide them into simulators - I turned around to introduce them to the Flight Directors and no one there except Mr. Daymont for the Falcon. I divided them into their ships. By then I had someone from the Galileo there. Mark took his crew to the Falcon. The Galileo second chair took his crew and that left my crew, Magellan, and Odyssey. I sent the Odyssey to their simulator with a Voyager. I took my crew to the Briefing Room and went back to fetch the Magellan crew.
There was a moment of shock that rippled through the Center Friday evening when a silver car pulled up in front of the school. A car that hadn't been seen since August. Out of the car came a figure, a Space Center legend to the younger staff and an old friend to many of us
ancient sages. He walked slowly up the walk, entered the school, and instead of walking straight to the Odyssey as he had done for years and years made a left turn to the cafeteria and the Falcon. "Who was that man in the Green Shirt?" some were heard to ask. "Why, that man is Dave Wall," was the reply from one of the older staff who remembered the period of the Space Center History commonly referred to as the "Good Old Days." Yes my friends - Dave Wall is back!!!!!! Before you get too excited and start jumping up and down in front of you computer please remember it is only on a limited time only. Yes, for the next few month only, you and your friends can experience a mission worked by the great Dave Wall for the rock bottom price of $39.00 each! Live the Chills and Thrills audiences of the past experienced. This offer may not be repeated so take advantage of it while you can.
I enjoyed my overnight crew. We were absolutely on Level 0 but that was OK. They were fun. The clapped at the right times and cheered right when they were suppose to. It was like we had a large sign up on the wall telling them how to react in any given situation. They were perfect in reaction - what more does a flight crew want from a group of kids? They had a brave little captain that stood up to Josh Webb playing the Shadow while the others dove for cover when he ascended up the spiral staircase. They were fun.
The Magellan Control Room is almost finished. It was carpeted on Friday. We are putting in a hatch, it will be painted, and then it will be done. I've also given the green light to have the storage cabinet removed from the Magellan and I'm waiting for bids for a new working station in the simulator. The Magellan, as of this last overnight mission, will now take 15 campers. This allows me to reduce the number in some of the other simulators that have always been overcrowded. I'm amazed at what has been done in the Magellan over the
last several months - even years.
We celebrated Bryce Redd's Birthday before we went to bed Friday night. The night went well. I was woken up at 6:00 A.M. by a camper. He said he need to call home. I took him out in the hall and we walked toward the phone in the faculty room. He started to cry and confessed that he had wet his sleeping bag. I could tell he was very embarrassed. I stopped him and said that I was a very old, old man and had a terrible memory. I told him that once we got him taken care of and back to bed I would forget everything. I asked him to do me a favor and not ask me about it after everyone got up because I wouldn't remember and that
would make me feel bad about my `terrible' memory. He smiled and understood what I meant. None of his friends would ever know. He tried to call home but no answer so I took him to the lost and found and found him a pair shorts he could wear. He changed in the bathroom and then dried his pants under the air hand dryer. I gave him a spare sleeping bag. He went back to bed and so did I. He quietly thanked me in the morning. "For What?" was my response as I moved him toward his ship.
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| Voyager Communications Officer. June 2007 |
STAFF NEWS:
(Please be sure to send me emails with your current news).
Josh Webb had his wisdom teeth removed on Wednesday. He was tipsy on Thursday and starving on Friday. He did well during the overnight mission considering he decided not to take the pain pills so he could be alert for the flight.
Mrs. Houston has been under the weather for the last couple of days but is feeling better.
Stephan and James Porter are back from their Mexican vacation. I asked Stephan what they did. He replied that they had eaten, slept, and sat on the beach.
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT:
We enjoyed our first Voyager Academy on Thursday evening. We watched a NOVA special on HyperNovas. All those in attendance received one class hour toward advancement.
The Space Exploration Merit Badge class started on Wednesday. Mr. Schuler is the instructor. Class hours are awarded for attendance.
The Center's Plastic Modeling Class was held on Thursday evening. Tanner Edwards received over one class hour for attending. All are welcome to come to the club. It meets once a month. For further information contract Mr. Daymont or Mr. Schuler at the Center.
The Space EdVenture class was held on Saturday. We had a group attending from Mapleton Elementary School in addition to local children and three members of our staff. They received 3.5 class hours for attending.
Class hours are available this week by attending the Military History class on Wednesday evening. Contact Mr. Daymont if you are interested in coming. You may also come Thursday evening at 7:00 P.M. for the second Voyager Academy. Please vote in the poll if you want to attend.
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| One of the Phoenix's Finest! June 2007. |
INVENTORY:
The Voyager lost two of our computers this week. Last week was the Voyager's VCR. Early in the week we lost one of the Right Wing computers. The next day the Science Station Imac went down. We are using all of our spares with three computers in the shop. We also went through a lot of headphones and a couple of tape players. The Galileo's main mic was replaced and the Odyssey's mic cord was replaced.
EDITOR'S THOUGHTS:
Please remember to attend Honors Night on January 24th. I also want to stress the importance of customer care. This week I had many occasions to watch the interaction between our customers and staff. I saw many good things and a few things that made my skin crawl. One thing that stuck out in my mind was an interaction between a staff and a child. The child was given an answer to a question in a way and tone of voice that someone uses when they answer a question with the right words but because of the tone and phrasing of the response the child is made to feel stupid. That disturbed me. I didn't say anything at the time because I was busy but made a point to write about it today. Each of our customers is important to me. Treat each of them with dignity and care. Remember, each child belongs to a family that cares deeply for that child physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. I try my best to handle all interactions with our customers with kindness and respect. I make a point to respond to all our children by imagining that their parents are
standing by watching and listening. Remember, I'm always listening to every interaction between staff and student. I may not look like I am but believe me - I am. No one will ever advance here without first showing me they can always treat our campers and visitors with respect and kindness.
Yes, Big Brother is watching you!!!
And now, those famous words.
That is all.................
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| The Voyager's Bridge Crew. June 2007 |
Post from the Past. The Summer Camp Schedule is Out.
January 15, 2002
Hello Troops,
This is your first look at the summer schedule. No screaming!!! Yes, we have to start looking at the summer schedule right now to get the flyers printed and sent out. So, here it is:
June 2002
7-8: Overnight 1
10-12: Day Camp 1
14-15: Overnight 2
17-19: 48 Hour Camp 1
21-22: Overnight 3
24-25: Overnight 4
27-29: 48 Hour Camp 2
July 2002
8-10: 48 hour Camp 3
12-13: Overnight 5
15-16: Overnight 6
18-20: 48 hour Camp 4
22-23: Overnight 7
25-27: Day Camp 2
29-31: 48 Hour Camp 5
August 2002
23-24: Overnight 8
30-31: Overnight 9
End of Season.
You will notice a short vacation at the beginning of June and the first week of July. We also have the first 3 weeks of August off.
Thanks all and a memo to all Set Directors: Summer Stories are due on my desk by March 1. All simulators will run Level 3 trial missions for their summer stories beginning the middle of April.
Story Length: DON'T OVERWRITE.......... REMEMBER IT IS EASIER TO ADD
STORY ELEMENTS THAN TO TAKE ELEMENTS OUT.
Voyager: 3.5 hours
Odyssey: 3.5 hours
Magellan: 7 hours
Galileo: 3.5 hours
Falcon: 3.5 hours
Gaming Session: 3.5 hours
Class: 3.5 hours
Thing Warm.....Think Fun.......Think Summer!!!!!!
Mr. Williamson
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| Three of the Odyssey's 8 crew very unhappy about the turn their mission has taken. June 2007 |
Post from the Past. Two Talented Volunteers to Leave.
January 16, 2002
Hello Troops,
I want to thank Justin Leavitt and Bailey Hodson for the time and effort they have given us at the Space Center. Both Justin and Bailey notified me that their schedules and commitments no longer make volunteering possible. They both expressed sadness at leaving but realized it has become time to move on and continue to accomplish great things.
As I've said in the past, the hardest part of my job (besides wet beds and vomit on overnight camps) is saying goodbye to wonderfully talented volunteers and staff that brighten the lives of our campers and fellow workers.
From the depths of Space the Voyager, Odyssey, Falcon, and Galileo have taken position near the Magellan Station. Thousands of officers have gathered at the windows of the ships and station to watch the phaser and photon torpedo salute to two great officers retiring
from many dedicated months in the service. The music starts and rings through the halls then BLAST......... Explosions of all colors and shapes flash against the darkness of space. A 2100 cannon salute and a fond farewell..
Goodbye to two of the Federation's Finest!
They will be missed
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| The WalMart Donuts so enjoyed by the campers. They are legend at the Space Center. |
Post from the Past. Space Center Journal. Kids Reactions When the Climb the Spiral Stairs and See the Voyager's Bridge. Kyle Herring in Hospital. The Falcon Drives us All to Drink. I'm Ready to Close the Ship but it is Saved by a Good Idea. Mr. Williamson Speaks in Relief Society on Space
January 21, 2002
Hello Troops,
It is Monday Morning, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I'm sitting near my front window enjoying the day off as much as all of you. I'm enjoying the overcast skies and see snow coming.
Here are the facts for the week:
SCHOOL'S SERVICED:
Last week we serviced the Sixth Grade from Forbes Elementary School and the Sixth grade from Eaglecrest Elementary School. I enjoyed the Eaglecrest students. They were amazed when they walked up to the bridge of the Voyager. I enjoy the reactions of kids that have never been to the Center before. They top the spiral staircase with eyes wide and mouths dropped in disbelief. The comment heard most often is, "This is a school!" and, "Why doesn't our school have something cool like this!" I take pride in what we have accomplished my friends. We don't get to take a bow at the end of our missions so we take the applause at the beginning of the mission in the kids reactions and in interacting with them during the program.
We are the magic... Don't forget that!
The Eaglecrest classes were large. All above 30. We missed Kyle on Thursday. He was unable to operate the Galileo for us. He was in the hospital having some kind of intrusive medical procedure done. Kyle's body has a real problem with food. It wants the nourishment but won't let it work its way through. Kyle's innards are having a civil war of their own. Kyle may have to go in for surgery in a week or two so remember him in your thoughts and drop him a kind note. We all stand behind the Space Center's Biggest Fan - Kyle Herring. I'll keep you posted on developments.
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| The crew of the Magellan. June 2007. |
OVERNIGHT MISSION:
Last Friday we had 37 campers. The majority of them from Sego Lily. I was excited to have the opportunity because of the low numbers to close the Voyager for the camp. I got to the school at 5:30 P.M. and was met by Mr. Schuler. The message was a familiar one for the Falcon - no network. Bill's look was more serious than other weeks when the Falcon gave him troubles. Frantic efforts were undertaken to save the situation. I went ahead planning on not running. The staff and volunteers arrived. I gave out the work stations. Into the briefing room walked Bill. His face spoke of frustration bridging on panic. I was informed that they had tried everything to get the network to work but not even a spark of a network. I knew what the message meant. I would have to get the Voyager ready for an overnight mission. I told them to keep working and perhaps a miracle would be dispensed from above. I was
tempted to rush to St. Peter's Catholic Church in American Fork and ask the priest for a vile of holy water to sprinkle on the set. I was that desperate for a night off. I made the call at 7:00 P.M. and pronounced the Falcon dead. The Voyager was started and the overnight mission began.
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| The Voyager Crew mid-flight. Left Wing and Damage Control. |
I had pretty much had it with that set. I told Mark that it wasn't worth the time and effort to keep it going. I told him we would cannibalize the Falcon, use its equipment in the other sets, and use its cabinets for storage. I told them to shut it down and put it away - permanently. I'm glad they ignored me. Mr. Schuler worked all through the night and almost all day on Saturday on the Falcon. He tried mouth to mouth, CPR, chest compressions - you name it - it was attempted. Before we went to bed Friday evening Mr. Schuler approached me with an idea. Using a wireless network was too expensive. It would take 30 overnight missions in the Falcon only to recoup the cost of the system. I vetoed that idea. They suggested a novel alternative. A 24 port switch - professional grade so all the computers would network into one switch station. If any of the computers were having trouble the switch would indicate which one. This would eliminate the daisy chaining of hubs. Once again I was impressed with our way of thinking outside the box - coming up with new
novel solutions to problems. That is why we are here 11 years later still strong and flying with 5 sets.
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT:
We enjoyed our second Voyager Academy on Thursday evening. We watched a NOVA special on HyperNovas. All those in attendance received one class hour toward advancement. A word of encouragement to all. Come and get those class hours. This summer will be busy. We need some advanced, well trained workers.
Our next Voyager Academy training will be in the Magellan learning the new controls for the bridge. If interested in attending go to the poll section of the egroup and vote.
INVENTORY:
One of our downed computers was returned from the shop and immediately went down again. This is getting old...... I was told that it is most likely due to the heat in the cabinets on the Bridge of the Voyager. There just isn't enough circulation. I'll have to buy fans.
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| The Phoenix Crew. June 2007 |
Magellan:
The addition of the new controls to the Magellan is working out quite well. The workload for all the crew and staff has increased, but shall be back to normal levels once the station goes in on the side of the Magellan. Matt Long is currently working out a few of the minor bugs that have just been discovered. All is well. I extend congratulations to Bryson Lystrup and Randy Jepperson for being the first two people to pass off the Magellan's 2nd chair. Remember the first step to a pass on the 2nd chair is to observe that station. The first step to a Magellan Bridge pass is to be the Doctor and watch the bridge in action. Just a few hints.
CURRENT EGROUP POLLS:
Time is running out to use the polls to RSVP for Honor's Night this Thursday. Mrs. Houston is taking care of refreshment based on the egroup poll. If you are coming and haven't indicated in the poll please do it now.
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| Not so sick after all. A Voyager Crewman in the ship's crew quarters. June 2007 |
EDITOR'S THOUGHTS:
Last week I wrote about customer care. I was glad to hear that some of you are reading this Journal. I saw nothing this week but valued care of our customers. Thank you for taking time to talk to our campers and making them feel welcome.
I did something unusual on Sunday. A Relief Society sister from a Provo ward called and asked if I could supply a speaker for her class Sunday morning. The topic was getting back to heaven. The lesson called for the teacher to use Apollo 13 as an example. I asked
our adult staff but none were interested or had the time to do it. I was going to call and tell her that but decided as I picked up the phone to do it myself. What the heck..... she was nice and sounded a bit desperate. She was excited when I told her someone would be there at 9:00 A.M. sharp and ready to take 5 minutes on the topic.
I showed up at 9:00 A.M. talk in hand. She had gone all out with a fancy table cloth, model rocket, game, visuals, and a flute player setting a reverent tone in the room. I asked her If I could be excused once my talk was finished. I thought I would be nervous but no....I just got up on cue, presented my information, smiled, and walked out of the room. I don't know how it went over but I was glad I did. It gave me a chance to tell them about the Center and our work. That 5 minutes was well worth it. It is good to realize that people are now beginning to call us with questions about space. We have found a place in the scheme of things in Happy Valley.
And now, those famous words.
That is all.......
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| An experienced camper. He's got his Fleet Admirals pin! June 2007 |
Post from the Past. Brian Hawkins Speaks to the Topic of Longer Missions. The Reasons Why Longer Missions Should be Brought Back.
January 26, 2002
MODERATOR'S NOTE: WELCOME BACK TO THE LAND OF THE LIVING BRIAN.
DON'T BE A STRANGER.
AND NOW BRIAN'S POST:
From murky depths of the BYU library, Brian once again emerges... he blinks rapidly as he readjusts to the sunshine, having become accustomed to the evil energy-sapping Communist plot more commonly known as "fluorescent lighting." Not much takes him away from his endless string of research projects, but he figures that it couldn't hurt to register an opinion on a subject in which he claims expertise: long missions.
WAY BACK in the day, the Space Center had (GASP!) one ship--the Voyager was all you ever got, and guess what... no one was EVER disappointed. Although still young compared to the venerated Founders of the Center, I remember clearly the Old Days, when we would spend entire 48-hour missions in the Voyager. I was even a crewmember on the one true 5-day mission ever flown.
In some ways the Space Center has really outdone itself compared to the glory achieved in the Old Days. But we've lost a lot of the MYSTERY--the build-up, the gathering of clues, the character development, etc., that's only available on longer missions. Sure, we've got better video effects, great sound effects, color computers, fancy signage... but you ain't seen nothin' to you've seen Victor tell a LONG story. True, he's a master of the two-hour, "bread
and butter" flight, but if he has time to stretch it, you'll never forget it!
Vote for long missions!
Now, back into my hole... but be on the watch! My presence shall darken your doors again before long.
--Brian
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| The campers gather early in the morning for the start of another day of a 3 day overnight camp. |
Post from the Past. Space Center Journal. The Pain of Working with Fifth Graders. Rough Campers on the Overnight Camp. Several Honored at Honors Night.
January 27, 2002
We always shudder when we see a fifth grade group on the calendar. I've been asked why I accept 5th graders. I don't really have an answer to that questions except to say that I believe that suffering here on Earth brings humility and patience. With humility and patience
comes blessings from above. Being blessed from above will lead to a good position in the hereafter. Using that logic then my answer to that question is: "For selfish reasons only!"
Our fifth grade groups were a real challenge this week. I know, I'm always saying that and you are tired of reading it but this week was really bad. There was one class that won't be forgotten by any of us that survived the day. They started out like any normal class but
shortly after the first ones sat down I noticed the hair on the back of my neck began to stand on end. The sensation became more pronounced as the bridge filled. I've come to understand the significance. It is my brain's way of saying "I don't recognize my own kind!".
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| The Magellan Admiral and crew. June 2007 |
Then I heard it................ the sound of a child's voice drifting across the bridge. I turned slowly and saw the softly spoken words taking shape in the atmosphere. The longer words curled into a long narrow tube. The shorter words joined on one end and fanned outward
forming an arrowhead. The arrowhead and rod joined together - AN ARROW!
I don't remember much from that point on. Everything transitioned into slow motion. I turned again and dropped the boarding passes. They fluttered to the floor. "Take cover!" I shouted to those near me as my arms waved about pushing the innocent out of my way. I felt I was
moving through thick syrup - like a dream. I was about to take cover behind the captain's chair when I noticed Jennifer walking up the spiral staircase, unaware of the danger cutting a path through the air. I looked at the safety of the chair and then at Jennifer. The decision
was quick in coming. I'd take one for the team. I turned on a dime and jumped up in the air to take the arrow thus saving my co-worker. In mid air I saw the sentence coming right at my chest. I closed my eyes and saw my short life flash before me. Would my emotional and
psychological defenses hold?
I took the hit square in the chest. The words of the child's voice unraveled in my body and rushed to my ears. My traitorist brain assisted in the attack making meaning of the words. I fell to the floor. I glanced up at the child that had shot me. He was sitting there. All alone. Tufted blond hair. White T-shirt under the red uniform of the Voyager. He was staring at the computer's normal start screen for the Voyager controls with the white prompt box and field
showing asking the child to type in his name. My head nearly exploded as the hidden meaning of his words were understood.......
"I don't get it!"
The softly spoken words rang with meaning and then settled down like a virus to do its damage to my emotional shields. Jennifer stopped to help me up asking if I was alright. "Gather up the tape players and training tapes," I replied. " We will need to do most of the training ourselves." She understood my meaning. She disappeared shortly afterwards to regain composure and to revisit her breakfast eaten a few hours before.
We survived, although my left eye has developed a twitch that doesn't seem to go away.
PRIVATE MISSIONS:
A slow week for private missions.
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| Voyager crewmen doing a great job of acting dead in the crew quarters. June 2007 |
OVERNIGHT MISSION:
Last Friday we had 43 campers. The majority of them from Wasatch and Rocky Mountain Elementary.
The Falcon actually worked. Kudos to Bill and Mark for their work in resurrecting the corpse of the simulator. There were a few programming errors quickly corrected by Matt Long. A sigh of relief and the end of our collective hand wringing for the moment. Of course, there will always be a next time - if not for the Falcon then for something else. That is what keeps us going. What will this day in the ships bring?
The kids were rough during the night. Lorraine said the girls didn't get to sleep until after 1:00 A.M. They were having some kind of cookie fight.
The boys weren't much better. Every square inch of the bridge was full of bodies. I gave my usual warning threats over the microphone and switched out the lights. That's when the boys in the loft decided to start throwing their shoes at each other. The lights quickly came back on. The boys were taken out of the loft and replaced with others that promised they would be good. Yea, right! I was up and down several times during the night with my flashlight telling them to quiet down. I even caught all of them out of the loft. Their excuse was the need for water. I understand that - don't you? I mean that loft........ so dry and hot. Maybe we should rename it the Shara Loft. Didn't you know that winter evening temperatures can climb to 105 degrees up there?
Boy, some of these kids must really think I'm stupid. Or maybe it's just my appearance???
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT:
Our first Honor's Night was held on Thursday evening. It was a success. There were over 40 in attendance. 1, 5, and 10 year service pins were presented. Pillow cases were given to several. 1500 point blankets were awarded to Josh Webb, Stephen Porter, James Porter, Brady Young, and Bryson Lystrup. Rio Downs was promoted to Green Shirt and will go on a timecard. She will become another Staff Supervisor along with Josh Webb and Stephen Porter.
Honor's Night is also the time to retire volunteers and staff. On Thursday we all said goodbye to Bailey Hodson and Justin Leavitt. Bailey was given her 1 year pin and her 500 pt. pillowcase. Justin was awarded his 1 year pin and his Blue Shirt promotion with One Bar. Justin becomes the Space Center's shortest serving Blue Shirt. His tour of duty lasted a little over 30 minutes.
Several level patches were awarded. Scott Slaugh took home the most with 4.
The egroup file section has the requirements for advancement.
This week our Voyager Academy meet in the Magellan for training on the new controls. All Pioneers, Voyagers, Blue Shirts, and Staff are allowed to attend but REMEMBER TO VOTE IN THE EGROUP POLL FOR A RESERVATION.
INVENTORY:
No new equipment was purchased this week. The Magellan's hatch into the hallway was installed on Tuesday. Work on the Magellan's control room should come to an end this coming Tuesday. The video projector in the Discovery was giving us problems until it was cleaned. It seems to be working fine now. Kyle was busy doing some other maintenance on
Friday.
EDITOR'S THOUGHTS:
Well troops, I'm guilty of embellishing my stories about flights (as you may have guessed after reading my description of the fifth grades at the beginning of the Journal) but I want all of you to know that I truly enjoy what I do at the Center. Working in the Voyager has been
very rewarded and challenging. Working with children also can be extremely rewarding.
I enjoy talking to our staff and volunteers and wish we could open our doors to more waiting volunteers.
Thanks for what you do. Thanks for your patience and dedication to the Center. Please thank your families for letting you be part of this program.
And now, those famous words.
That is all..
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| The campers on their way to PG's pool for swim and video night. |
Post from the Past. James Porter Speaks to the Importance of Well Trained Staff and Volunteers by Telling A Story From his Days as a Camper on the Voyager
January 28, 2002
Well it is time to hear from a Porter, and for once it isn't snide or overwhelmingly funny. I have read the posts and would like to add what my experience has to say about long missions. I went on the 5 day mission back in the day. The only ships in existence were the Ises and the Voyager. We were in the simulators for 3 days. During those three days we were solving many a mystery as Brian described. But I thought I would tell you of my favorite experience. It was the last rotation, we had been rotating from ship to ship doing one continuous mission. We had struggled to get where we were. Events had made it so that there were only 3 of us on the bridge, myself, Rio, and some other guy. We were running all of the stations on the Voyager by ourselves. We had been dealing with
lifeforms like the one on the shadows mission, we couldn't figure out how to deal with them.
As we were actually making some progress another problem was thrown at us. Up the spiral stairs, where before we had foolishly sent our crew to their doom, came our doctor. But there was something not right about him, he looked possessed. I screamed. "What do I do?" as I held my phaser tightly in my sweaty palm. Calmly Rio told me to wait. . . as the doctor approached her she began to yell, "why haven't you shot him, he's going to get me!" I fired, the doctor fell immediately. To keep watch on him we sat him on a stool by records. We continued on with our mission. As we were trying to solve the mystery of the lifeform I had a brilliant revelation, "They're just ghosts, they can't hurt us."
To my surprise it wasn't Rio who corrected me. "Were not ghosts, . . ." The doctor had slowly turned his head to look directly at me as he told us that "they" weren't going back. And in short from the skilled acting and work of that doctor we were able to figure out the mystery. Now I told you that long story for more than just to fill your time. I tell you that story because it was the skill of one staff member that made a difference. That staff member, the doctor, was David Merrell. Because of David's hard work and understanding of the mission he was able to handle the situation with amazing skill. He knew what to say and most importantly what he shouldn't say. He gave us the right information to point us back on the right path. At that time I was scared to death but I later realize that at that point David was
exemplifying what a truly great staff member was and should always be, well trained and well learned of the missions.
Now relating it to the length of the mission. Whether we do long missions or not, the only way they will work is if we work hard to make them great. The staff make the mission. We can't rely on computers, the Galileo is the only one who has dibs on that. We need good staff members. So in ending this I call for an improvement of all staff, from Pioneer to Flight Director, we can do better. I will make you this promise, I am going to try harder to make it better for the kids! Remember, the Space Center isn't for you to have fun, its for the kids.
-James P. out of breath.
The Imaginarium
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