Space Camp (United States)

Space Camp is an educational camp in Huntsville, Alabama, on the grounds of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center museum at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.[1] It provides residential and educational programs for children and adults on themes such as space exploration, aviation and robotics. The camp is run by a state government agency, the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission. More than 900,000 campers have graduated since 1982, including several who became astronauts.

Space Camp
Habitat One (left) and Habitat Two (right) at Space Camp. Habitats house campers staying for multiple days. Campers enter through the red gate.
Space Camp
LocationHuntsville, Alabama, U.S.
Coordinates34°42′41″N 86°39′15″W
Operated byU.S. Space & Rocket Center
Established1982 (1982)
Websitehttp://www.spacecamp.com/

History

Space Camp was founded in 1982 as an educational camp using the United States space program as a basis to promote math and science to children. The idea was the result of a comment by rocket scientist Wernher von Braun who was touring the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in 1977 when he noticed a group of schoolchildren studying rockets and said to the museum director, "You know, we have all these camps for youngsters in this country - band camps and cheerleader camps and football camps. Why don't we have a science camp?"[2]

U.S. Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center and Space Camp (formerly U.S. Space Camp) in Huntsville are operated by the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission, which is a state agency whose members are appointed by the Governor of Alabama.

The non-profit U.S. Space & Rocket Center Foundation is a separate entity and members of its board are not appointed by the governor. It is responsible for scholarship fund-raising and the licensing of camps outside the United States. There are a number of internationally licensed Space Camps, including Space Camp Turkey, Space Camp Canada (known as "Camp Spatial" in French), and Space Camp Belgium.

Space Camp Florida

Space Camp Florida opened in 1988 and shared facilities with the Astronaut Hall of Fame in Titusville, Florida, both of which were operated by the now defunct U.S. Space Camp Foundation. The Space Camp facility closed in 2002, due to low attendance leading to financial difficulties. About 50,000 children attended the camp during its run, but in its final year as few as 14 participants filled 276 slots.[3] The Astronaut Hall of Fame was sold to Delaware North and currently remains open as an added attraction to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex with several simulators previously used by the camp now available to all visitors.[4]

Space Camp California

Space Camp California, operated by the now defunct U.S. Space Camp Foundation was located at Mountain View, California and opened in 1996. Space Camp California closed its doors January 6, 2002, also due to financial difficulties.[5]

Space Camp Hall of Fame

The Space Camp Hall of Fame began in 2007 during the 25th-anniversary celebrations. According to the website, the hall was "designed to honor graduates, former employees and supporters who have distinguished themselves in their respective careers or made considerable in-kind contributions in an effort to help further the goals of the Space Camp program."[6]

InducteeClass
von Braun, WernherDr. Wernher von Braun2007
Buckbee, EdEd Buckbee2007
von Tiesenhausen, GeorgDr. Georg von Tiesenhausen2007
Oates, DanDan Oates2007
Metcalf-Lindenburger, DorothyDorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger2007
Rice, JamesDr. James Rice2007
Stubblefield, AmandaAmanda Stubblefield2007
Pettigrew, Penny J.Penny J. Pettigrew2007
Holderer, OscarOscar Holderer[7]2008
Maicki, MarlennMarlenn Maicki[7]2008
Devries, LisaLisa Devries[7]2008
Vazzo, VincentVincent Vazzo[7]2008
Smith, PhilCaptain Phil Smith, US Air Force[7]2008
Whitfield, JoshJosh Whitfield, US Army Ret.[7]2008
Allan, JimJim Allan[8]2009
Gleason, JerrySGM Jerry Gleason, US Army Ret.[8]2009
Pearlman, RobertRobert Pearlman[8]2009
French, FrancisFrancis French2010
Hnyda, DavidMajor J. David Hnyda, US Army2010
Jaques, DannyDanny R. Jaques2010
Hanson, AndreaDr. Andrea M. Hanson2010
Thaller, MichelleMichelle Thaller2011
Meyers, ValerieDr. Valerie Meyers2011
Hare, WilliamLt. Col. William Burke Hare III, USAF2011
Abrams, StephanieStephanie Abrams2012
Warren, LizDr. Liz Warren2012
Van Cise, EdEd Van Cise2012
Gibson, Robert L.Robert L. "Hoot" Gibson2012
Tuncer, KayaKaya Tuncer2014
Cristoforetti, SamanthaSamantha Cristoforetti2014
Lucas, MichelleMichelle Lucas2014
Phillips, SusannaSusanna Phillips2015
Bierman, Elizabeth KellerElizabeth Keller Bierman2015
Rubins, KateKate Rubins2015
Ferdowsi, BobakBobak Ferdowsi2015
Jason Hopkins 2016
Dr. Amy Kaminski 2016
George Whitesides 2016
SpaceCamp (1986 film) 2016
Dr. Serena Auñón 2017
Dr. Michelle Christensen 2017
Major John Hecker 2017
Dr. Jennifer Heldmann 2017
Dr. Tara Ruttley 2018
Dr. Erika Wagner 2018
Dr. Sarah Noble 2018
Tara Sweeney 2018
Mary Funk 2019
Casey Harris 2019
Christina H. Koch 2019
Beth Moses 2019

Programs

Program names are used to define the age or focus group for which the specific program targets, with Space Camp referring to both a camp program and the parent organization. The camp offers programs for various ages and durations of visit. The majority of attendees visit during the summer, though spring and fall often see many school group visits, parent and child bonding camps, and adult or corporate programs.[9]

Space Camp is a six-day program offered for children between 9 and 11 years old. The curriculum is designed to balance education and entertainment. Children enrolling in Space Camp can choose from one of three "tracks" of activities and study: space, aviation and robotics. Space Camp was the first of the camp programs offered, and is used as the umbrella organization name.

The Space Shuttle Pathfinder is a Space Shuttle simulator based at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

Space Academy is a program intended for ages 12–14, offered in six-day sessions.

Advanced Space Academy is designed for 15- to 18-year-olds. The program was originally known as Space Academy Level II and was started in Fall of 1987. In 1987 the Space Academy Level II program was college accredited (1 hour) through the University of Alabama Huntsville. It also offered programs for adults as the first class to go through Level II were adults. The Family Camp[10] program allows parents or guardians to attend Space Camp with their child aged 7–12 years. The program is run throughout the year, lasts three to four days, and includes activities in which the adult and child work together. Family Camp also has an Aviation Challenge option, designed for children and their accompanying adult, offered during the summer months.

Scholarships

Space Camp offers scholarships for children who have disabilities, academic talent, leadership skills, or financial needs or other disadvantages.[11]

SCI-VIS

In cooperation with teachers of visually impaired students, Space Camp operates a week-long Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students by providing the same experience to visually impaired students as sighted students. Adaptations are made to the computer systems campers use in activities and simulations to provide speech and large print output. Adapted materials, including handbooks translated in Braille, and equipment are used during the camp.

Deaf Space Camp[12]

In cooperation with teachers, Space Camp operates a week-long program for deaf and hard of hearing students by providing the same experience to hearing-impaired students as hearing students. Communication is supported by a dedicated team of American Sign Language interpreters as well as through visual and written media. To allow equal access to the audio of films, most museum & camp movies have open or closed captions; the theater provides a rear-window captioning system. To augment or replace microphone/headset technology, students use live stream video between mission control and the shuttle simulator.

In addition to participating in typical camp activities and simulations, students often have the opportunity to meet and interact with deaf adults who work in science-related fields and learn about the many contributions deaf individuals [13] such as Annie Jump Cannon (astronomer),[14][15] Tsiolkovsky (considered of a "father of Rocketry"),[15][16] and Dr. Thomas Wheeler (deaf NASA aerospace engineer)[17][18] have made to astronomy, space exploration and science education.

Other programs

Other programs include corporate programs, programs for adults and educators and educational field-trip programs for school groups, and the X-Camp outdoor leadership camp. There were also special alumni sessions during the summer of the 25th anniversary.

Occasionally themed camps have been offered, usually in conjunction with museum exhibits. During the summer of 2010 a Jedi Experience camp was offered in connection with the museum traveling exhibit Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination.[19]

U.S. Cyber Camp[20] announced in 2017, focuses on Cyber Security.

Aviation Challenge
Main article: Aviation Challenge

Aviation Challenge, or AC, is an umbrella branding for a set of aviation oriented camps at Space Camp, consisting of three main programs for children from ages 9–18. As an aviation oriented camp the fundamental teaching aids are computer based flight simulators, which are intended to train attendees to fly, act, and think like United States Air Force, Navy or Marine fighter pilots.

Facilities

Simulators

There are simulators at Space Camp, such as:

Space Camp additionally uses rides or attractions that are on site at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center as instructional tools. While these are not true simulators, the use of these rides is designed to allow the rider to better understand some aspect of space travel. The Space Shot simulates liftoff, and the G-Force Accelerator simulates the G-forces put on astronauts while re-entering the Earth's atmosphere or during launch.

The Spacedome IMAX Theater provides a venue for presenting some of the space and science oriented films produced through the IMAX camera/projection system. The theater is part of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center museum complex. As Space Camp is operated by the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, it makes regular use of the theater.

Accommodations
Space Camp Habitat 1 facility

If a Space Camp program takes more than one day, campers stay at the space camp's Habitat 1 or Habitat 2. Habitat 1 is a large building designed to house young people. It is manned by staff and has full CCTV. Male and female campers are usually assigned to separate floors.

Aviation Challenge trainees stay in Habitat 3 where they are required to maintain military standards to their bays and racks. There are two floors to Hab 3. Males live on half of the ground floor and all of the second floor. Female trainees stay on the other half of the first floor. The bays are named after famous aircraft carriers. The camp has a cafeteria where campers receive meals.

Notable attendees and visitors

Attendees
  • Astronauts and cosmonauts:[21]

Guests
  • The cast and crew of Apollo 13 visited Space Camp during pre-production.[26] Tom Hanks, who portrayed James Lovell in the film, would return in 2006, as his son was attending at the time. Hanks also ate breakfast with some German rocket scientists.[28]

Films

Television

Books

References
  1. "Space Camp". www.spacecamp.com. Retrieved 2015-11-16.
  2. Bob Ward and John Glenn (2009). Dr. Space: The Life of Wernher von Braun. p. 151. ISBN 978-1591149279.
  3. Sellers, Laurin (14 September 2002). "Titusville, Fla., Space Camp's Mission Is to Remain Open". Orlando Sentinel.
  4. "SPACE CAMP WILL KEEP SIMULATORS, NEW OWNER SAYS". The Miami Herald. November 10, 2002.
  5. Kwan, Joshua L. (8 January 2002). "Space Camp California Closes for Lack of Funds". San Jose Mercury News.
  6. "Hall Of Fame - www.spacecamp.com". Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  7. "Hall of Fame Inductees". al.com. July 20, 2008. Archived from the original on August 4, 2008. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  8. Clines, Keith (12 July 2009). "Space Camp adds 3 to its hall of fame". Huntsville Times. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 6 September 2010.
  9. "www.spacecamp.com". www.spacecamp.com. Retrieved 2017-09-14.
  10. "Family Programs". Space Camp. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  11. "Scholarships". www.spacecamp.com. Retrieved 2015-11-16.
  12. "History of the program - DeafSpaceCamp". Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  13. "Deaf Scientist Corner". Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  14. "Pioneering women in STEM - National Science Foundation". Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  15. Lang, H. (1994). Silence of the Spheres: The Deaf Experience in the History of Science. Westport, CT: Bergin & Garvey.
  16. "Konstantin Tsiolkovsky: Russian Father of Rocketry". Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  17. "John Thomas WHEELER's Obituary on Atlanta Journal-Constitution". Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  18. "NASA - Marshall Star, October 3, 2012 Edition". Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  19. "STAR WARS: Where Science Meets Imagination (Press Materials)". 28 May 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
  20. "AL.com". Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  21. "Meet the Tremendous 12! Space Camp's Astronaut Alumni". Space Camp. U.S. Space & Rocket Center. 6 September 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  22. "Alumni On Orbit". Alumni Newsletter. Space Camp Alumni Association. Winter 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  23. Wright, Robin (2 July 2017). "Jasmin Moghbeli, Badass Astronaut". The New Yorker. Advance Publications. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  24. "Meet Alyssa Carson, the teenage astronaut gearing up for Mars". Huck Magazine. 2019-10-14. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
  25. Krueger, Alyson (2018-03-21). "This 17-Year-Old Is Already Training for a Trip to Mars". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
  26. "Page not found - www.spacecamp.com" (PDF). Retrieved 26 January 2017. Cite uses generic title (help)
  27. Welch, Chris (2009-04-13). "Space Camp has big role in 'Little' show tonight". Huntsville Times. Archived from the original on 2011-06-09. Retrieved 2010-09-06.
  28. Kesner, Kenneth (2006-06-24). "Meeting 'Apollo 13'star 'like visiting old friend'". Huntsville Times.
  29. "'A Smile as Big as the Moon' starring John Corbett airs at 9 tonight on ABC (video)". Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  30. "Space Warriors". 26 April 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2017 – via IMDb.
  31. "'Space Warriors' Hallmark Movie Features Space Camp Training". Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  32. Chuck Season 2 Episode 9: "Chuck Versus the Sensei" Quotes, retrieved 2017-09-16
  33. Adam Baldwin (actor). Chuck Versus the Sensei (television). It's true. Space Camp is where all the cool kids go.
  34. Eastbound & Down. Kenny: Because of this opportunity, our family's going to be taken care of forever. Who knows, next stop could be Space Camp. Who wants to go to space? Children: Me! Me! Kenny: Who wants to pet this wolf?
  35. "Show 19: Ruff Ruffman Spaces Out". PBS Kids. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  36. Katzenberg, David (2016-05-04), Smother's Day, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Sean Giambrone, Troy Gentile, retrieved 2017-09-14
  37. conanfan33 (2010-01-29), Andy at Space Camp, retrieved 2017-09-14
  38. "Hab1.com - Space Camp Reference on The Simpsons". www.hab1.com. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  39. "Five Space Camp References in Pop Culture!". Space Camp. U.S. Space & Rocket Center. 14 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  40. "Southern Fried Road Trip: Space Camp, the Final Food Frontier". Food Network. Television Food Network, G.P. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
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