Utah Kids Learn Space Skills at Astrocamp

Hello Troops,
Astrocamp is our sister center located at Discovery Elementary School in Ogden, Utah. Ed Douglas founded the camp about the same time I started the Space Education Center in 1990. We sponsor a joint camp with Astrocamp every summer. This six day camp starts at Astrocamp on a Monday. The campers are bussed to the Space Center on Thursday. They finish the camp on Saturday.

Astrocamp was in the news today. Read on and learn about a great educational program in Utah.

Mr. Williamson


By Mary Richards
KSL.com

OGDEN -- After July, the U.S. will no longer fly shuttle missions into space. But Utah kids don't care. They are still excited about space travel.

In one room at Odyssey Elementary School in Ogden, kids wearing orange jumpsuits are concentrating on the binders before them, fingers poised over the buttons they must push.

"Systems activated," says one. "Copy, Phoenix!" says another via headset from mission control down the hall, where another team looks at its screens showing different views of the shuttle and surrounding area. Every person plays a part in this simulated shuttle takeoff and landing.

Astrocamp Director Ed Douglas says it teaches teamwork and boosts confidence.

"That self-esteem, that 'I did something hard,' there's nothing better than that," he said.

Douglas says Astrocamp registration fills up within days of opening in the spring. Kids are still clamoring to learn about space, even though NASA's space shuttle program is ending.

"We've finished one chapter in a book and we've started another chapter. It's still the same book. Space travel will always be space travel no matter what system or program we are using to launch astronauts into space," he explained.

There are different levels and lengths of missions they can go through.

"They can do a spacewalk and get in helmets and repair a satellite, and experience just what it is to be an astronaut."

But it's not just about astronauts. Douglas likes to share with the kids a story of Neil Armstrong thanking the guy who tightened the screws, because everyone is important and must work together.

As the kids finish this mission, they breathe sighs of relief when they hear that although they were about a minute late for the projected liftoff, they still had very few mistakes.

"Nice job, Astrocamp!" they cheer.

June 23, 2011. Bed and the Medical Station.

Hello Troops,
I'm at my desk waiting for the boys to finish their tribal experience in the Voyager's Crew Quarters. Jon has them layered deep listening to somewhat exaggerated tales of previous crews and their daring exploits from one corner of the Galaxy to the other.

And now a Walton's moment....
"Good night Jon," said a voice from the loft.
"Good night boys," replied Jon from below.

This is the first night of our 3rd EdVenture Camp with four more to go (and a Leadership Camp thrown in for good measure). We're at our breaking point max with 46 campers (our preferred number is 44). We're making do. The Magellan is taking 15 kids in each rotation. The Voyager will increase their numbers to 11 instead of 10.
Of course that means the Voyager's Medical Station will need to run and that presented a problem. The programming for the Medical Station is faulty.

Matt R. stepped up to the plate early this afternoon and began working on a Revolution Stack to take the place of the current Hypercard Medical Stack. Megan Warner arrived at 4:30 P.M. to help in the design. They worked on the station until 11:00 P.M.

Hopefully the Medical Station will be ready for the camp's first 5 hour rotation tomorrow.

Megan and Matt discussing the main screen on the Medical Station

A close up of Megan's art work on the Briefing Room's white board

Matt gets clarification on a few of the icons before programming them into the stack.

And they both pause for a moment to smile for our Troubadour readers.

And I'm hoping to see you soon at the Space Education Center,

Mr. W.

Honors and Glory

Hello Troops,
Yes, this is a post long in coming yet delayed for reasons within my control yet neglected due to procrastination. What can I say? "I'm only human" comes to mind but anyone that knows me would say that statement is debatable.

I start this ramble through memory's thickets with an apology to my staff and volunteers. Don't make me your public enemy number 1 if I forgot the reason for the picture. You are to take pity on a poor soul that is lucky if he forgets to turn off the stove and lock the front door at night.

So, are we ready for this adventure through the Space Center's photo album?

Nate is awarded his Flight Director's Shirt from the Phoenix Set Director (Alex Anderson). Nate is Phoenix Certified for flight. Murphy is his Irish engineer character. His accent is quite believable. It is so believable I find myself craving a nice pint of Guinness when I hear him fly :)

This is Aliah. I believe she is getting her year pin. Great job Aliah for putting up with us for one year.

This is one of our special volunteers. Metta is getting her 10 YEAR PIN!!! The 10 year service club at the Space Center has very few members - Myself, Mark Daymont, Bill Schuler, Lorraine Houston and now Metta Smith.

Mark congratulates Connor for getting his Magellan pin. Great job Connor!

I'm shaking Julia Anna's hand because she just earned her year pin. Julia Anna is
smart and makes a fine good fudge which she shares if you ask kindly with eyes down.

Caitlynn earned her Galileo pin from Ben. Great job Caitlynn.

Morgan is one of our Park City volunteers. She earned her Phoenix Pin.


This is Bronson. Bronson lives in Park City and also earned his Year Pin. Good Job!

Matt lives in Logan. Now that's dedication. Volunteering for him is a day long event with you take travel time to and from Logan into account. I believe Logan is also getting his year pin.

Matt R. is getting his baby blue Programmer's Guild shirt from Alex.

And finally, Brittney is congratulating Jackie for getting her Magellan Pin.