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2006-01-17 1:49 PM

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Extreme Veteran
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500100
Northwest Ohio
Subject: Space Camp
While in Houston this weekend, I spent a day at NASA with my soon-to-be 12-year-old son. He's been there a couple times before and asked to go back. Now he is psyched up about space exploration and talking about how he'd like to be an astronaut and all of that. (They talked about the Mission to Mars in 2030 and he's dreaming of being a part of that). He's good at math and science and I'd like to nurture this interest in the space program so I looked at the website for Space Camp in Huntsville, AL today. It's kind of expensive but if it is worth it I would find a way to send him there. So that's my question: Have any of you attended space camp or sent your children there? Do you think it's worthwhile? Would you recommend that I send my son to camp for a week?


2006-01-17 1:52 PM
in reply to: #325897

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Giver
18427
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Subject: RE: Space Camp
I don't know anything about Space Camp, but for some reason I had this vision of him coming back and telling stories that start "this one time, at space camp...".
2006-01-17 1:57 PM
in reply to: #325897

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Master
1468
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Tampa, Fl
Subject: RE: Space Camp
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091993/

Damn I thought that this was a thread about the movie "space camp".
But for what its worth growing up I spent a month every summer away at camp and I loved it.
2006-01-17 2:03 PM
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2006-01-17 2:12 PM
in reply to: #325897

Master
1468
10001001001001002525
Tampa, Fl
Subject: RE: Space Camp
I think it really depends on the child and the camp. If it is something that he is really into it will do wonders. I really can't remember and I have no kids but 7 may be a little young what grade is that. I don't think I was in camp where you spend the whole time there but I always remember doing something even if it was just day camps. MOSI (museum of science and industry, a local museum geared towards children) had an awesome marine biology day camp that I was always super pumped for.
2006-01-17 2:22 PM
in reply to: #325897

Master
1597
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Colorado
Subject: RE: Space Camp
I have a good friend in the Astronaut Program. Usual career track:  Appointment to either the Air Force or Naval Academy, degree in a rediculously difficult form of engineering, AF or Naval Flight School, 10+ years regular service, Military Post-Graduate school, test  pilot school, THEN you can apply to the astronaut program.  While the rest of us were out doing normal liberty stuff (heh), he was back on the ship studying fun stuff like theoretical mathematics and quantitative physics.  Don't get me wrong- I love the guy and respect the hell out of him, but he knowingly missed out on a whole lot to get where he is.  It's a daunting task best taken in bite size chunks- fabulous rewards though...


2006-01-17 2:32 PM
in reply to: #325946

Master
1867
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The real USC, in the ghetto of LA
Subject: RE: Space Camp
Stake - 2006-01-17 2:22 PM

I have a good friend in the Astronaut Program. Usual career track:  Appointment to either the Air Force or Naval Academy, degree in a rediculously difficult form of engineering, AF or Naval Flight School, 10+ years regular service, Military Post-Graduate school, test  pilot school, THEN you can apply to the astronaut program.  While the rest of us were out doing normal liberty stuff (heh), he was back on the ship studying fun stuff like theoretical mathematics and quantitative physics.  Don't get me wrong- I love the guy and respect the hell out of him, but he knowingly missed out on a whole lot to get where he is.  It's a daunting task best taken in bite size chunks- fabulous rewards though...


how do you eat an elephant?

one bite at a time!
2006-01-17 2:44 PM
in reply to: #325963

Master
1597
1000500252525
Colorado
Subject: RE: Space Camp

Me personally?  Medium rare.

tyrant - 2006-01-17 3:32 PM

how do you eat an elephant? one bite at a time!

2006-01-17 2:48 PM
in reply to: #325897

The Original
7834
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Raleigh/Durham
Subject: RE: Space Camp
I used to want to be an astronaunt too when I lived in Houston.  We used to visit NASA all the time.  And...I watched the movie "Space Camp" every day as I kid.  I look back now and think "what the heck was I thinking?"  But I think as a kid space camp would be cool whether he stuck with it or not.
2006-01-17 2:54 PM
in reply to: #325946

Extreme Veteran
604
500100
Northwest Ohio
Subject: RE: Space Camp
Stake - 2006-01-17 2:22 PM

I have a good friend in the Astronaut Program. Usual career track:  Appointment to either the Air Force or Naval Academy, degree in a rediculously difficult form of engineering, AF or Naval Flight School, 10+ years regular service, Military Post-Graduate school, test  pilot school, THEN you can apply to the astronaut program.  While the rest of us were out doing normal liberty stuff (heh), he was back on the ship studying fun stuff like theoretical mathematics and quantitative physics.  Don't get me wrong- I love the guy and respect the hell out of him, but he knowingly missed out on a whole lot to get where he is.  It's a daunting task best taken in bite size chunks- fabulous rewards though...


Well, I won't tell him all that right now. A bit overwhelming to say the least! His interest in space may be a passing fad at the moment. But I do want to encourage him to look past northwest Ohio and to try to follow his dreams. (I won't use the "reach for the stars" metaphor right now because that sounds pretty lame) Still wondering if "Space Camp" is worth the investment. ($750 to $1,000 for a week depending on various factors)
2006-01-17 2:55 PM
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2006-01-17 2:59 PM
in reply to: #325999

Master
1867
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The real USC, in the ghetto of LA
Subject: RE: Space Camp
Bettylou - 2006-01-17 2:54 PM

Stake - 2006-01-17 2:22 PM

I have a good friend in the Astronaut Program. Usual career track:  Appointment to either the Air Force or Naval Academy, degree in a rediculously difficult form of engineering, AF or Naval Flight School, 10+ years regular service, Military Post-Graduate school, test  pilot school, THEN you can apply to the astronaut program.  While the rest of us were out doing normal liberty stuff (heh), he was back on the ship studying fun stuff like theoretical mathematics and quantitative physics.  Don't get me wrong- I love the guy and respect the hell out of him, but he knowingly missed out on a whole lot to get where he is.  It's a daunting task best taken in bite size chunks- fabulous rewards though...


Well, I won't tell him all that right now. A bit overwhelming to say the least! His interest in space may be a passing fad at the moment. But I do want to encourage him to look past northwest Ohio and to try to follow his dreams. (I won't use the "reach for the stars" metaphor right now because that sounds pretty lame) Still wondering if "Space Camp" is worth the investment. ($750 to $1,000 for a week depending on various factors)


give him a test. some way to "earn" it, either saving for a portion of it, or some other task. he will do the work if he REALLY wants it. Besides it will teach him that you have to work for what you want. i didnt learn that as a kid. i had horrible grades in HS. i had to join the military to be more disceplined, so once out i could make a fresh start in a JC, i worked hard, and now im at USC (a place i never out of HS would have gotten into).
2006-01-17 3:21 PM
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2006-01-17 3:29 PM
in reply to: #325897

Crystal Lake, IL
Subject: RE: Space Camp

I don't know about the "space" part of the question, but a camp can be very important to boys those ages.  I went to camp every summer for 2-4 weeks from appox age 8-12 and look how I turned out!  Ok wait, let me try something else. 

It was a great world/life experience and really helps teach a kid how to interact better with others and begin to become more independent.  It wasn't all happiness and sunshine, it had its share of tough moments, but they were important and we all learned a lot from them.  I also learned how to ride horses well enough to teach it and archery well enough to win a few competitions.  So I guess I could be an extra if they ever make Dances with Wolves II. 

Like anything else, do your research.  I went to a camp in WI supported by a local (Wheaton, IL) Christian college and it was top notch.  Kudos to those willing to sacrifice to broaden their child's horizons.  Besides, think of all the training you can get in while they are gone!

2006-01-17 3:43 PM
in reply to: #325897

Expert
736
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Longview, TX
Subject: RE: Space Camp
Well, here's something to think about on a Mission to Mars:  Texas Tech has several research studies through NASA funding.  I worked on a research project where we studied ways to recycle water for the man mission to Mars.  Getting to Mars obviously will take a looong time and there is no way to carry enough water, hence EVERY drop of water must be recycled.  Water from washing your hair (yes we had to look at different shampoos and their surfacant levels, etc.  FYI, NASA likes pert plus for kids), and of course, anything that goes in your body, comes out and must be reused.  They joked around and called us the Pee Lab because we were always having to take samples from people to put in our reactor.  It was a really interesting study though, so many things that you don't realize are a big deal on earth are a huge deal in space.
2006-01-17 3:48 PM
in reply to: #325897

Elite
2553
20005002525
Tucson, AZ
Subject: RE: Space Camp

You might also be able to find local programs.  Museums and planetariums usually have programs for kids, as well as local colleges and universities.  Space is usually a pretty popular theme for kid’s programs.  National Engineer’s Week is coming up in mid-Feb, and they usually have local programs/events as well.

Maybe go to the library and have him check out books on space and Space Camp.  I know when I was a kid, I’d read everything I could about a subject that I was interested in.

It seems like he’s getting interested in science, and learning that it can be “cool.”



2006-01-17 4:19 PM
in reply to: #325897

Champion
7554
500020005002525
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Subject: RE: Space Camp
When we were in Indiana, our kids participated in a program called "Young Astronauts" Google shows a site, but doesn't look like they've been too active the last couple of years.

From NW Ohio, have you gone a couple hours South, to Wright-Patterson? Couple of hours East, to NASA Lewis?

Some engineering colleges offer camps as well.
2006-01-18 3:10 AM
in reply to: #325897

Veteran
216
100100
Auckland
Subject: RE: Space Camp
If it's an area of interest I think it is worth it. I saw an article on Space Camp about 21 years ago when I was growing up in the UK and managed to organise a week there in 1986.

Apart from the Space and Science aspects there is a lot of personal developement and team work as the age groups are teamed together and train for two missions. One being ground base i.e Mission Control and the other space based in the Shuttle.

There were science lectures during the week aswell as the training and I remember each mission had something go wrong so the teams had to trouble shoot and get the space team back down to earth.

I was also lucky enough to be the recepient of the Right Stuff award which is proudly hanging behind me on the office wall as I type.

Hope this helps, any other questions please ask but it was 20 years ago.
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