EdVenture Camp Update: 8:11 A.M.

8:11 A.M. Day 2
The Campers were good to us last night. They went to bed without a fuss. The staff's attitude improves 50% when we have campers that go to bed quietly. A fussless night means we get sleep. When we get sleep we work harder the next day. I locked all the school's interior doors at midnight as I made my final rounds.

The air conditioning is off in the hallways. It is muggy outside. Without the air it becomes muggy inside. The staff and campers are in air conditioned rooms so the night will be comfortable. After my final check of the boys I found Spencer D (one of our Ranger Staff) sitting in the Voyager's Brig with his leg up and ankle exposed. He gave me that look. I knew straight away we had an ankle problem.
"I leap frogged over Hunter in the halls," he sheepishly said. He continued the story, inserting details as he went. We iced the ankle. He called his sister and left after midnight. He is back this morning - walking with a slight limp. We are in good shape.

We had one girl go home around 1:00 A.M. suffering from severe home sickness. Camper's attitudes concerning home sickness covers the spectrum. Some kids become violently ill after a few hours from home. Once they leave they never return. Some tough it out until late in the evening and then, having exhausted their reserves, make the call for pick up. Others are completely opposite. They don't suffer from home sickness - they are Sick of Home. This type of child is usually more independent - they seem to be natural leaders. They enjoy getting away from home and testing their wings in new environments.
The young lady returned this morning. The camp is whole again. Breakfast is finished. The kids are in their class and simulators. Clouds are moving in promising a storm. All is Well at 8:23 A.M.

Our Last EdVenture Camp. A Rotation by Rotation Essay

EdVenture Camp 7. The Last of the Summer Season of 2008

8:41 P.M.
The Campers arrived between 7:00 and 7:30 P.M. We have 14 girls and 52 boys on this camp.
Fourteen are on their second or third camp of the season. We wonder what we will do with the repeat campers to keep them on task and engaged.
The 'Campers' appear normal - at face value. Most children appear sweet and innocent - at first.
Only after several hours into the camp will their true nature emerge. We have a good crew of staff and volunteers. Fingers crossed all will go well.

Bracken Funk changed the introduction of the Flight Directors. I normally announce them by name and the ship they run. Bracken turned it into a sporting event by playing the TV announcer and calling each Flight Director into the gym as if they were boxers coming in for a fight. The campers thought it was great!
From my desk I hear the Phoenix crew discuss ways to cool their engines. The Voyager is quiet. I don't think they've launched. The other ships are out of range.
I've finished my safety walk around the school. Everything is locked up tight and we are good to go on our last EdVenture Camp of the season. Stand by for further developments.

Mr. Williamson

The Center's Own Superheros!

Hello Troops,
Two real superheros were overlooked this week due to the attention given to Batman, the so called “Dark Knight”. This could be the result of the latest release of a Hollywood production chronicling his life. While many parts of this ‘story’ must be regarded as fiction I will give credit to Batman for his life’s work in fighting crime and vanquishing evil.
Standing in the shadow of the “Dark Knight” are two home grown superheros. Today, in this essay, I shall tell you a tale of their bravery. This story will never make the headlines or be prostituted into film. The modesty of our superheros forbids it. Instead, I will tell the tale here and let future generations retell it until a legend emerges from the collective consciousness of the bearers of the tale.

On Monday last, our hero - Funkman - sat reading in the halls of the Space Center Institute for Exceptional Children (SCIEC). The SCIEC is a secret government agency, disguised as as a rather traditional neighborhood elementary school, given the mission is to locate children blessed with exceptional talents that could save humanity from universal alien threats. The children come to the “Space Center” (code name for the SCIEC) to attend “Camp”. The ‘Camp’ experience is to fine tune the youngling's ability to work as a team and solve fictional threats against Earth and mankind using a variety of simulations. The simulations (carried out in what appear to be innocent and rather elementary starship simulators) highlight the gifts of each participant. Then, when the younglings reach the age of 15, they are placed in the agency where their talents can be put to the best use in protecting Earth.

I’m risking much by even disclosing this information but I feel the truth should be told and let the consequences be what they may. Furthermore, considering anyone that has access to this essay and Blog already have the highest government clearance - I shouldn’t need to worry.

I’m sorry for digressing....... Let me get back to the story. Funkman was reading in one of the Institutes hallways after 1:00 A.M. Suddenly he felt something dark approaching. This Sixth Sense is a common trait shared by those who work at the Institute. His instincts told him to stand. Something caught his eye. He looked up from his book and down the long hallway to the outside door. Emerging from the dark of night came a stranger with a face not before seen near the Institute. This unknown reached for the door and pulled. The door did not open. Of course it wouldn’t. The Institute is locked early in the evening before it is dark and then all rooms and hallways are checked on a regular basis. The Funkman sprang for the door. The uninvited saw him coming down the hallway. Flames erupted behind Funkman as he charged - ready to defend the Institute. The uninvited ran into the darkness.

Funkman came to get his partner. All superheros have protégés. Funkman’s partner was woken and told to prepare for the defense of the compound. He jumped up (who is he you wonder - that will remain a secret so as not to distract attention from the real hero). He will be referred to as 2 in the essay. 2 grabbed his 'Defense Against the Alien Threat Weapon' commonly referred to as “The Enforcer”. The two of them entered the hallways and began a hall by hall search for an intrusion.

The Younglings of the ‘Camp’ where never made aware. it wouldn’t be prudent to do so.
The situation was completely under control. Once the pair were sure the interior of the Institute was secure they moved to assure the female staff that all was safe and to return to their beds. Suddenly, someone heard a sound on the roof. Although getting on the roof of the SCIEC, after having been seen by the Funkman, would be considered a foolish if not retarded move by a proper villain - the Funkman and 2 decided it was time to take out the BattleStar!! The BattleStar is a moving, metal defense platform on wheels. The Battlestar was engaged and a search of the compound was conducted. Nothing was found. The threat was neutralized not by physical force but because of one sighting of the mighty and powerful FUNKMAN!

Once the Battlestar was put away all went back to bed for a night’s sleep. Oh, I should mention that the local police were also called and invited to join the search for this trespasser but again, nothing was found.

The Institutes safety procedures were tested and found worthy of almost any threat (except a direct hit by a thermonuclear weapon) but new plans are in development for that.

We all wish to thank Funkman for his SuperHero efforts in the defense of the Institute , its staff, and the Younglings.

You may all now forget you read anything about this institute. There is no institute.......
There is only a school with a simple Space Camp located in little Pleasant Grove. Continue with your normal life.