An Update on the Summer's First Camp!

This is BBC Universal Service broadcasting from London. We interrupt this program to bring you a special report. And now, Sebastian Worthingham - Reporting from Starbase 74 near The Neutral Zone.

“From the large Transparent Aluminum windows of His Majesties Starship William IV we watch as the Federation Starship Voyager backs gracefully away from Docking Pylon 3 of Starbase 74. I see hundreds of small figures framed in the Starbase’s windows waving Bon Voyage to this legendary ship, now embarking on her final patrol of the border and then onto Starbase 45 for decommissioning and history.

The Voyager is turning now, adjusting her course for the Neutral Zone. The Saucer Section is now opposite our view. Her running lights blink a strong heartbeat as the mighty ship powers her warp nacelles. The lounge grows strangely quiet. Everyone is pushing against the windows, wanting to see this symbol of Federation power flash a pulse of blue light and disappear into hyperspace.

There, we see the blue glow and.......... she’s gone in a brilliant flash leaving the darkness of space in her wake. A few are wiping away tears, others bow their heads in reverence. I can hear a pleasant chime ringing through the William IV’s speakers. We were scheduled to return to Earth 30 minutes ago but our captain graciously bowed to our request to stay and witness the USS Voyager embark on her last voyage.

Our ship is powering her warp drive. Our journey home has begun. My signal will be lost in a moment when the Hyperspace portal opens and we.......”

This ends our Special Bulletin. We now return you to our regular schedule programme. This is the BBC from London.


Hello Troops,
I’m hoping you enjoyed that little flight of fantasy. It served a purpose. From my desk I hear the crew of the Voyager as they train in preparation for their Super Overnight mission - the Space Center’s first camp of the 2009 summer season!

Staff come and go between the hallway, the Odyssey and the Voyager as they work to complete all the tasks given to them by Kyle Herring, tonight’s Voyage Flight Director and author of our camp’s story “A Matter of Honor” .

Aleta Clegg, the Voyager’s Quarter Master readies the food on Deck 2. Soon they will enter our universe of imagination and leave Starbase 74 for the Neutral Zone. Their mission is to take one last patrol of the border and then on to Starbase 45 for decommissioning. The Voyager is an old ship. This is her last mission. Once they reach the Starbase the crew will help strip the ship of her computers and equipment and disembark. The tugs will move the empty Voyager to the maintenance bay for dismantling.

Have you booked your camp yet. If not, there is still time. All EdVenture and Super Overnighters are full. There are openings on the Overnight Camps from July 24th to the end of September.

Now, I’ll return to my work. If time permits I’ll give updates on the camp as it progresses. Don’t expect further story updates. Everything in the mission from this point on is classified. We don’t want to spoil the fun for the hundreds still coming to do this new Voyager mission.

Mr. Williamson

The Quartermaster (Aleta Clegg) prepares the meals

The Campers are cleared through security

Kyle Herring, The Flight Director

Wyatt, One of the Ship's Medics

Spencer mans the security checkpoint

Taylor and Emily, Delta Force. Fleet Special Forces

My Dream for the Captain's Quarters

Hello Troops,
Its Sunday and I’m sitting in my second favorite chair composing this post. You may be wondering why I’m not sitting in my favorite chair. It is occupied by my nephew. He seems to think he has the right to sit in my chair whenever he wants. No other family members or friends sit in my chair so why him? I’m not sure. It might be because its comfortable and reclines and rocks and has a foot rest. No matter, I’ll be a good sport about it. After all, Chaz needs to see the rewards of good hard work. I’ve told him many times that a life of hard work and frugal saving brings rewards, like a Laz e Boy Recliner. If you say it enough people believe it, at least that’s what they tell me.

You’re wondering why I put this picture on the blog? It’s here because I like it.. Would I have a living room designed like this? Well, its clean but I like the way my own living room is decorated. I call it English Hodge Podge with a bit of “I don’t know what what I’m doing” thrown in for good measure. Besides, I have too much junk for a room like this. Set out one of my collectible Thomas Kincaid Seaside Village miniatures, and you’ve destroyed the whole feel of the room. So I guess the answer is no, I wouldn’t decorate my living room like this, but I know a place where this design would be spot on - our Voyager simulator!

Wouldn’t this make an excellent Captain’s Quarters? Our current Captain’s Quarters is a small room at the top of a ladder with a tiny balcony overlooking the Bridge's Security Station. It has a cheap carpet, a bean bag chair and a fold out love seat with splitting vinyl upholstery.

This is my dream Captain's Quarters. It is a place I could call my home away from home. During the camps I’d kick the command officers out of their own quarters, give them a few pads and tell them to sleep on the Bridge floor. This would become my personal sleeping quarters. I could seriously grow to like this.

Let’s get serious. Can we afford this kind of upgrade? Are you kidding! I’d have to sell both kidneys and still be short a thousand or two, but it doesn’t hurt to dream. So...... let’s dream, and if you happen to have several (and I mean several) thousands of dollars that you’d like to donate then please do. It will be your own sleeping quarters whenever you come to camp.

So, time to crack open your piggy bank and see what you’ve got. While you count your pennies I’ll get to work on duct taping the upholstery on our current Captain's Quarters old splitting love seat.... :)

See you at Camp!

Mr. Willamson

Our Long Journey

A Note to Praise the Staff and Volunteers of the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center.

Dear Staff and Volunteers!
Our long journey is drawing to an end. It has been quite a trek. Our school year attendance was 16, 423! Wow, what an achievement. We worked many missions. We taught many classes. We can look back with satisfaction on a job well done. I'm pleased to work with the finest people in Utah County. Each of you bring a unique
perspective to your work. You flavor the Center with your personality and enrich the lives of our students. Your dedication and willingness to extend yourself and go that little bit extra has made the difference between success and mediocrity. We are unusual troubadours. We perform for our audiences without their acknowledgment. We create magic without their applause. We are the makers of smiles. We wave the wands of our voices to take our customers on fantastic voyages through the cosmos bringing them to a better understanding of themselves and the universe.

We sit at the back of our starships manning the rudder. We do all this unseen, for if we stood for recognition, some of the essence of the experience would be lost. So we hide behind our walls - surrounding our passengers with sound and lights and music and story. I acknowledge your work. I appreciate your efforts. I applaud your talent.

Some day when the history of space travel is written, I hope a there is a small paragraph telling of a place in Utah that, long ago, inspired children to take their eyes off the ground and look far into the distance to see what could be.

Imagination is our fuel and Wonder is our language. So troubadours...... we sit together around the campfire and plan our next campaign. There is a summer ahead and more children counting the days to their EdVenture. Let's sleep for a bit and rise refreshed. There is more to do.

Mr. Williamson