Kevin Roberts, The Space Center's Newest Flight Director

Hello Troops,
Congratulations are in order for a certain Kevin Roberts, a long time Space Center volunteer. Kevin was presented his Flight Director shirt during our post camp meeting on Saturday by Megan Warner - Set Director for the Phoenix. Kevin trained in the Phoenix for quite some time before formally putting his name forward for test missions.

Becoming a Flight Director is real challenge. It can be a lengthy, involved process that starts by becoming a volunteer. You must be a good volunteer, someone that demonstrates a commitment to the Center. We look for students that can multitask, are good actors, and can ad lib a part quickly when called upon. Kevin had these qualities and the experience necessary to attempt his climb up the mountain to the dizzying heights of Flight Directing. He presented himself to Megan and asked if she would be willing to accept him into training. She agreed. The last step of the process is getting my permission to train as a Flight Director.

Training involves multiple volunteer missions in the ship where you’re seeking your pass. Your trainer will begin by making sure you understand the equipment. As time passes you’ll be given the microphone to flight direct small portions of the mission. Over time those few minutes stretch into half hours, then hours and finally we see how you handle yourself with a full private mission.

Once you’ve proven you can handle a private mission I set up test missions for you using our frequent flyers or Central volunteers. You do test mission after test mission until your performance is perfected to the point the simulator’s Set Director proclaims you passed.

Kevin finished his formal training last Thursday by passing off his test mission.

Welcome to our Flight Director’s Guild Kevin!

Mr. Williamson

Megan's Last Overnight Mission and the Dance that Ended it All.

Hello Troops,
OK, I'm posting my very own video on YouTube and the Blog. Let me set the stage. This was Megan Warner's last overnight camp. Taylor came to me on Friday asking if I had any objection to some of the staff dancing the summer camp's Disco Pizza Dance for the campers.
"Why Not?" I said. "You can do it just before we do votes on Saturday morning."

So, our overnight camp is drawing to an end. The campers are in the gym filling out their post camp surveys. It's time to cast their votes for Lord of the Votes. I call the staff in from the hallway.
"Troops," I say to the assembled group of sixth graders from Mountainville Academy and Wasatch Elementary, "This is Megan Warner's last Overnight Camp before leaving on a mission to South Korea on Wednesday. They are going to perform the famous Summer Pizza Disco Lunch Dance for you right now." With that, Bracken started the music. I had my Fuji picture camera on hand and shot this video.

Welcome to the end of the overnight camp at 9:55 A.M. on December 12 and Megan's Last Dance! Please watch to the end. The camper's get involved. It was a great way to send Megan on.



Thanks Megan for all the years of service to the Space Center and our campers. Thank you for your hours of unpaid work, given unselfishly to our students. Thank you for your devotion to the Phoenix. I really wonder if the Center will be the same with you gone. You've been a good friend to all and yes, from time to time a thorn in the side to a few but that is just the way you are and the way we want you to stay! We wish you all the best in this next challenge you face. Remember us and don't forget our love and support when times get tough.

We got your back! :)

Mr. Williamson

A Few Thoughts on the Week and Growing Up.

Hello Troops,
A few interesting tid bits for the week. I’ll begin by crying foul to one of the campers that told me to stop calling everyone “Troops”. Don’t know why she didn’t like it. She also complained that some of ‘us’ (namely me) were to strict. Guess she thought the whole camp was a bit boot campish. All I can say is “Sorry Troops”.

The word “Troops” has always been my thing. I could use other words like Folks or People or Kids or Annoyances or Pests etc. The list could go on and on. But I choose not to. Troops is it for me. It carries no emotion. It tells you where you are (our pretend world of space travel) and it carries a feeling of teamwork.

We are at war today. We have troops in foreign nations fighting wars against extremists. At home we fight a different kind of war. This homefront war is against ignorance and poverty. We fight daily battles as we create a great society of well educated, thinking, dreaming, and caring people. A nation of ambitious people inspired by the past and driven to achieve impossible goals. This is the war I fight daily when I open the Space Center's doors. Its a war you fight every time you open a text book or write a paper. It is a war for your future. It is a war to make a better world for you and your children for I believe it is a generation’s duty to leave American better for the following generations. I plan on doing just that in my own small and simple way. So, are you with me on this? If so, then I proudly call you troops.

Now, moving on......

We had a good week overall. Mrs. Houston was out all week as she recovers from surgery. Mrs. Clegg was gone most of the week with the flu. The rest of us had to muck in and get the job done and we did, thanks to a great gaggle of outstanding staff. We are well into finals for our university students. So I have to hand it to them for being so helpful as we reclaim our staff from their sickbeds.

Wasn’t it cold this last week? Every morning I debated whether I should walk or drive to school. Being one willing to accept a personal challenge I decided not to let the cold stop me. I walked every morning this week in that 5 degree temperature. I’m happy to report that I wasn’t the only one either. I know for a fact that Josh A. also walked to school in the cold along with a few of our other stalwart staff that don’t need to wimp out every day and get a ride to school.

Every morning I’m passed by a steady stream of minivans full of perfectly healthy junior high students being carted down my hill to the junior high school below. ITS A FIFTEEN TO TWENTY MINUTE WALK FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE. Every morning I wonder why aren’t those kids walking? Why do they need a ride? What’s wrong with their own two legs? Honestly, what kind of generation are we raising? Its time to toughen up people. Leave the minivan in the garage, put on your coat and walk to school. You can do it. All you have to do is put one foot in front of the other and, as if by a miracle, you move forward. Many of us old timers walked to school and home every day until we were old enough to drive. Ask your parents and grandparents. Walking in the cold and wet creates attitude and spirit. You get to see the seasons change. You get to know your community because you are out in it - not being carted around in a metal cage on wheels with heated and conditioned air and an endless supply of mind numbing music and video games. Naw..... get out there and feel the frost bite. Get out there and get chased by the dog. Get out there and actually see the homes in your neighborhood and meet the people that live around you. Breathe a few car fumes. Find a quarter on the road. Get your heart beating and burn a pound or two while having laugh with your friends for twenty minutes or so.

Listen, growing up means losing that bubble wrap you're sheltered in as a child. If you don't you are in for a tough awakening when you get older and mom and dad are no longer willing or able to shield you from the lessons of life any longer. You’ll be expected to stand on your own two feet and deal with the problems life throws your way. You'll need to rely on your instinct, education and morals. You'll learn quickly there is very little tolerance in this world for people that can’t deal with the ups and downs, so you might as well start learning to cope now rather than wait until your 18 and suffering from extreme shell shock while crying yourself to sleep in some university dorm. It may be ‘cute‘ when you’re a kid to have help putting on your shoes and zipping your coat but by the time you’re in 7th grade you should be able to do it yourselves. I think you get the point I'm trying to make.

I challenge you teens to step up to the plate and start toughening up if you haven’t already started. Consider the following:

1. Walk to school if you live close enough.
2. Learn to wash your own clothes. Learn to cook something besides toast.
3. Take responsibility for your grades and actions. If you make a mistake admit it. You don’t need to hide behind mom and have her fight your battles for you. Please believe me when I tell you that it really makes you look immature when you do. Teachers see this all the time - bratty kids that have a permanent mommy shield in front of them to absorb the consequences of their actions so they don’t have to. Listen, as a teacher, I respect a student that stands and faces the consequences for their behaviour and decisions. I respect a parent even more that steps out of the picture and lets junior or missy take the consequences.
4. Learn when to display the ‘cool‘ you and when to be the ‘real‘ you. Popularity is important at your age. You want to fit in more than anything else. I understand that. I understand the pressure you’re under to conform to the group. For much of the time at school you display the ‘cool‘ you so you fit in. You guard what you say and do to fit in. Taking that as a given, I urge you to not to let the ‘real‘ you get too far hidden during these tough teen years. Let it out from time to time. Who knows, people may even like the natural you better than the 'cool' you (unless of course you are naturally 'cool'. If so, come and give me a few lessons).
5. Watch the ‘attitude’. You know what I mean.

OK troops. That’s my two cents.

Now Take on the Week!
Mr. Williamson