Renaissance Space Academy welcomed Gary and Sarah Gardiner and boys to the USS Voyager last Thursday. Gary and Sarah are the co-founders of Dream Flight Adventures, a space simulator company with starship simulators in Pennsylvania, Washington DC, Michigan, and Venezuela.
Dream Flight Adventures is the couple's dream job, but not one that pays the bills; Universal Studios does that. Gary works for Universal Studios in Florida, but that is changing - which is what brought Gary to Utah. Universal is sending Gary and his family to Japan for one year to install a new attraction at their park in Tokyo. Before making the big move, Gary and family made the Utah stop to visit family. "My kids have never flown in a simulator," he confessed. "Here I am with a company that does starship simulators but my own kids have never lived in a place where they could take advantage of the opportunity to fly. Tonight we're going to change that with this flight in the Voyager."
Gary caught the starship bug as a young camper at the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center. He did the full gambit of missions: field trips, private missions, overnight and summer space camps. Gary and Sarah moved to Pennsylvania where he graduated from Carnegie Mellon University. While there they built their first starship in their home to test his starship software, which led to the founding of Dream Flight Adventures.
Day to day operations of Dream Flight was passed on to Gary's associate Michael Penn when the family moved to England. Two years ago Gary and family moved to Florida where they currently reside until they move to Japan in a few weeks.
Bracken Funk and Megan Warner directed the Voyager mission for the Gardiners.
A great time was had by all. Gary summed up the experience by writing on the Academy Facebook's: "It was awesome fun for the whole family! We brought a mixed-age group (ages 8-65) and we all had a blast. It's everything I'd expect from a Space Center mission, and more!"
Dream Flight Adventures Donates their Simulator Software to Renaissance Space Academy
Gary Gardiner was quick to respond to Bracken Funk's request made on Thursday before his family's adventure on the Starship Voyager. "Gary we need your ship controls," Bracken said in his straight forward style.
"Done," Gary replied without hesitation. And with that kind donation, the USS Voyager now employs all the simulator software currently available today: Thorium, InfiniD, Dream Flight, and Interstellar.
The Lion's Gate Center at Lakeview Academy is currently beta testing Dream Flight software in the Apollo and Artemis, looking for ways to possibly integrate it with Thorium.
The Space Academy joins Lion's Gate in that endeavor.
The X-Craft Returns at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center?
Some have been curious to see how we built our simulator display for FanX. Perhaps we'll call it the X-Craft for easy reference. The wood framing took two days and some redesigning of the angle for a sturdier based. The paint was done the morning before we drove up to the event using a latex base and metallic spray paint.
Our plan now is to enhance it with the help of our student Engineering Department who will program lights, an improved audio system, and other fun new elements.
James Porter
CMSC Director
Only the oldest in our CMSEC Diaspora will remember the original X-Craft used during our overnight camps in the 1990's. It was used as an away team experience. It was housed in one of our Starlab Planetarium inflatable domes. The interior was simple; four or five chair / sleeping pad combos, a TV on a stand and a couple of speakers.
There were no computers - the ship was voice activated and controlled - hence the X-Craft. It was the Alexa of the 1990's! The staff sat outside the dome with a video tape player, cassette tape player, mixer and microphone. I say let's bring the name back. Welcome to the new X-Craft.
Victor
From the Historical Archives of the Christa McAuliffe Space Center: SpaceEdVentures YahooGroup
Two More Space Center Campers Build Simulators of their Own
May 22, 2003
Hello everyone,
I am pretty sure that none of you know who I am, but my name is Lindsay, and I'm an explorer. I've been to observe missions three times, and I love the Space Center. Because of this interest, I made a ship in my basement. Now, it has no REAL computers in it, just some kinda neat cardboard ones, and isolinear chips made out of playing cards. But, I like it a lot, and I sort of feel like I have my own little Space Center in my basement. And it just so happens that my friend , Melanie, also has constructed a ship in her basement as well! Mine is the USS Emissary and her's is the Endever (that is Endever, not Endeavor).
We each also made websites about our simulators, writing about our Star Trek universes, and where our ships fit in. (On one of my webpages, I've listed two missions that I've written, but I think my friend has not written any as of yet). Melanie and I would really appreciate it if anyone visits our sites. (I have a counter on mine, and would like to get a lot of hits).
My site is:
emissary.scriptmania.com
Melanie's is:
endever.freeservers.com
If you have a few minutes on hand, just check them out! E-mail with comments and suggestions! We would really appreciate it!
Thanks!
Lindsay
Why the Space Center Experience is Better than Disneyland
May 24, 2003
Hello Troops,
I thought I'd share this with you. I received a phone call from a teacher last week telling me that her class just couldn't stop talking about their field trip to the Space Center. "It was the highlight of their year!" she exclaimed. She went on and told me that one girl told her that two hours at the Space Center was far better than a whole day at Disneyland! The rest of the class agreed.
What makes two hours here better than a day at Disneyland according to many of our young campers? I think the answer is:
1. Individual attention. Here we take care of very small groups, some as small as 5. The staff to camper ratio is close to 1:2. That kind of attention would be impossible to deliver without our awesome volunteers. All of you please take a bow and let me give you a few
solid pats on the back.
2. No Crowds. What do you hate most of all at Disney? Crowds and the time you spend in line waiting for the attraction.
3. No Waiting. In and on with the program.
4. Attraction's Educational Value: Although the attractions at Disney are visually stunning and totally awesome in my opinion they lack the educational brain challenge. You enjoy yourself without having to think. Here you enjoy yourself because you think to get out of
situations.
5. Real people behind the curtain. Yes, here the campers know there are real people they are working against. That makes a difference. It isn't "step into the ride and switch it on and then I'll go have a coke."
6. Time on task. A day at Disney means 90 percent of your day waiting in lines and 10 percent on the rides. Here it is the opposite.
7. Value for your Money. An overnight camp here costs $39.00 and includes five hours in a simulator and room and board for one night. What a deal!
I'm proud of what we've accomplished troops. The only thing we are missing is the millions of dollars Disney has. If we had that imagine what we could do?
Everyone, be proud of your contribution to the Space Center. It means so much to our campers and it has changed lives for the better!
Mr. Williamson
A Camper Studies Engineering at University Because of her Visits to the Space Center
May 24, 2003
Hello Troops,
Our new principal stopped me the other day. "Mr Williamson," She said. " I spoke with someone at a meeting a few days ago. He knew I was principal at Central Elementary and remembered that was where the Space Center was located. He told me that his
daughter attended the Space Center several times when she was younger and loved it. She is now at the university training to become an engineer. She says that she stuck with math and science because of the Space Center and that was the reason for her decision to become an engineer. He told me that the Space Center was one of the best things
to come into her life."
Wow, that is what we all need to hear. Thanks to all for your work and dedication.
Mr. Williamson
Imaginarium Theater
The Best Videoettes From Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience
Only the oldest in our CMSEC Diaspora will remember the original X-Craft used during our overnight camps in the 1990's. It was used as an away team experience. It was housed in one of our Starlab Planetarium inflatable domes. The interior was simple; four or five chair / sleeping pad combos, a TV on a stand and a couple of speakers.
 |
| A Starlab Dome. The CMSEC had two domes |
 |
| The X-Craft's chairs / sleeping pads |
Victor
From the Historical Archives of the Christa McAuliffe Space Center: SpaceEdVentures YahooGroup
 |
| The Voyager's Captain Looking Good for the Part. July 2008 |
May 22, 2003
Hello everyone,
I am pretty sure that none of you know who I am, but my name is Lindsay, and I'm an explorer. I've been to observe missions three times, and I love the Space Center. Because of this interest, I made a ship in my basement. Now, it has no REAL computers in it, just some kinda neat cardboard ones, and isolinear chips made out of playing cards. But, I like it a lot, and I sort of feel like I have my own little Space Center in my basement. And it just so happens that my friend , Melanie, also has constructed a ship in her basement as well! Mine is the USS Emissary and her's is the Endever (that is Endever, not Endeavor).
 |
| The 3 day campers waiting to enter PG's pool for swim and movie night. July 2008 |
We each also made websites about our simulators, writing about our Star Trek universes, and where our ships fit in. (On one of my webpages, I've listed two missions that I've written, but I think my friend has not written any as of yet). Melanie and I would really appreciate it if anyone visits our sites. (I have a counter on mine, and would like to get a lot of hits).
My site is:
emissary.scriptmania.com
Melanie's is:
endever.freeservers.com
If you have a few minutes on hand, just check them out! E-mail with comments and suggestions! We would really appreciate it!
Thanks!
Lindsay
 |
| Breakfast is served on the 3 day camps. July 2008 |
Why the Space Center Experience is Better than Disneyland
May 24, 2003
Hello Troops,
I thought I'd share this with you. I received a phone call from a teacher last week telling me that her class just couldn't stop talking about their field trip to the Space Center. "It was the highlight of their year!" she exclaimed. She went on and told me that one girl told her that two hours at the Space Center was far better than a whole day at Disneyland! The rest of the class agreed.
 |
| The Campers are ready for their early morning ship assignments. July 2008 |
What makes two hours here better than a day at Disneyland according to many of our young campers? I think the answer is:
1. Individual attention. Here we take care of very small groups, some as small as 5. The staff to camper ratio is close to 1:2. That kind of attention would be impossible to deliver without our awesome volunteers. All of you please take a bow and let me give you a few
solid pats on the back.
 |
| Mr. Williamson talking to the Magellan crew. July 2008 |
2. No Crowds. What do you hate most of all at Disney? Crowds and the time you spend in line waiting for the attraction.
3. No Waiting. In and on with the program.
 |
| The campers are gathered before sending them to lunch. July 2008 |
4. Attraction's Educational Value: Although the attractions at Disney are visually stunning and totally awesome in my opinion they lack the educational brain challenge. You enjoy yourself without having to think. Here you enjoy yourself because you think to get out of
situations.
 |
| The Odyssey crew getting their final "Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die". July 2008 |
5. Real people behind the curtain. Yes, here the campers know there are real people they are working against. That makes a difference. It isn't "step into the ride and switch it on and then I'll go have a coke."
6. Time on task. A day at Disney means 90 percent of your day waiting in lines and 10 percent on the rides. Here it is the opposite.
 |
| The Phoenix Crew. July 2008 |
7. Value for your Money. An overnight camp here costs $39.00 and includes five hours in a simulator and room and board for one night. What a deal!
I'm proud of what we've accomplished troops. The only thing we are missing is the millions of dollars Disney has. If we had that imagine what we could do?
 |
| And of course, the Galileo Crew. July 2008 |
Everyone, be proud of your contribution to the Space Center. It means so much to our campers and it has changed lives for the better!
Mr. Williamson
 |
| The traditional before going to bed treat. July 2008 |
A Camper Studies Engineering at University Because of her Visits to the Space Center
May 24, 2003
Hello Troops,
Our new principal stopped me the other day. "Mr Williamson," She said. " I spoke with someone at a meeting a few days ago. He knew I was principal at Central Elementary and remembered that was where the Space Center was located. He told me that his
daughter attended the Space Center several times when she was younger and loved it. She is now at the university training to become an engineer. She says that she stuck with math and science because of the Space Center and that was the reason for her decision to become an engineer. He told me that the Space Center was one of the best things
to come into her life."
Wow, that is what we all need to hear. Thanks to all for your work and dedication.
Mr. Williamson
 |
| Mr. Williamson's before going to bed instructions. July 2008 |
Imaginarium Theater
The Best Videoettes From Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience
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