United States Space Camp
Encyclopedia
U.S. Space Camp is owned and operated by the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission d.b.a. U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....

. "Space Camp" refers to both the actual camp and a family of related camp programs offered year-round by the facility. The camp provides residential and day camp educational programs for children in various age groups and adults. These programs include space oriented camp programs, aircraft themed Aviation Challenge camps, and outdoor oriented X-Camp programs, with the intent to promote science, engineering, aviation and exploration.

History

Space Camp was founded in 1982 as an educational camp program for children using the United States space program
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...

 as the basis to excite children in the areas of math and science. The idea for the camp came about as a result of a discussion between Dr. Wernher von Braun
Wernher von Braun
Wernher Magnus Maximilian, Freiherr von Braun was a German rocket scientist, aerospace engineer, space architect, and one of the leading figures in the development of rocket technology in Nazi Germany during World War II and in the United States after that.A former member of the Nazi party,...

 and Edward O. Buckbee. During public appearances, Buckbee has stated that the camp was the idea of Dr. von Braun who was touring the U.S. Space & Rocket Center with Buckbee in 1977 when he noticed children studying rockets and making notes. According to Buckbee, von Braun commented "We have band camp, football, cheerleading; why don't we have a science camp?"

U.S. Space & Rocket Center 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 and its members are appointed by the governor.

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 of the United States. There are a number of internationally licensed Space Camps, including Space Camp Turkey
Space Camp Turkey
Space Camp Turkey uses space and space technology with the aim to motivate and educate children aged 9-15 in the fields of astronomy and science. Through simulations, it improves youth self-confidence, teamwork and communication skills...

, Space Camp Canada
Cosmodome (Laval)
The Cosmodome is the home to both Space Camp Canada and the Space Science Center . Space Camp Canada welcomed its first campers in July 1994 while the Space Science Center, opened its doors to the public in December 1994.-The Space Science Center:...

 (known as "Camp Spatial" in French), and Space Camp Belgium. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center Foundation is in the process to license additional camps in Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, India, and Malaysia.

Space Camp Florida

Space Camp Florida opened in 1989 and shared facilities with the Astronaut Hall of Fame
Astronaut Hall of Fame
The United States Astronaut Hall of Fame, located just south of Titusville, Florida, honors American astronauts and features the world's largest collection of their personal memorabilia, focusing on those astronauts who have been inducted into the Hall; as well as Sigma 7, the fifth manned Mercury...

 in Titusville, Florida
Titusville, Florida
Titusville is a city in Brevard County, Florida in the United States. It is the county seat of Brevard County. Nicknamed Space City, USA, Titusville is on the Indian River, west of Merritt Island and the Kennedy Space Center and south-southwest of the Canaveral National Seashore...

. The Space Camp facility closed in 2002 due to low attendance leading to financial difficulties. Some 50,000 children attended the camp during its run but in its final year as few as 14 participants filled 276 slots. The Astronaut Hall of Fame was sold and currently remains open with several simulators previously used by the camp now available to all visitors.

Space Camp California

Space Camp California was located at Mountain View, California
Mountain View, California
-Downtown:Mountain View has a pedestrian-friendly downtown centered on Castro Street. The downtown area consists of the seven blocks of Castro Street from the Downtown Mountain View Station transit center in the north to the intersection with El Camino Real in the south...

 and opened its doors in 1996. Space Camp California closed its doors January 6, 2002, also due to financial difficulties.

Space Camp's 25th Anniversary

Summer 2007, marked the 25th Anniversary of Space Camp and the related programs. Space Camp used the 25th Anniversary to celebrate the history the space program, the camp and all of alumni who attended the camp. The summer of 2007 marked several milestones in the camp's history. In its first 25 years, its mission had been to excite young people to study math, science, and technology. The 500,000th camper, Samantha Rice, graduated June 15, 2007. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center added to the museum the Space Camp Hall of Fame. The first inductee was Dr. Wernher von Braun
Wernher von Braun
Wernher Magnus Maximilian, Freiherr von Braun was a German rocket scientist, aerospace engineer, space architect, and one of the leading figures in the development of rocket technology in Nazi Germany during World War II and in the United States after that.A former member of the Nazi party,...

.

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."
Inductee Class
von Braun, WernherDr. Wernher von Braun
Wernher von Braun
Wernher Magnus Maximilian, Freiherr von Braun was a German rocket scientist, aerospace engineer, space architect, and one of the leading figures in the development of rocket technology in Nazi Germany during World War II and in the United States after that.A former member of the Nazi party,...

 
2007
Buckbee, EdEd Buckbee 2007
von Tiesenhausen, GeorgDr. Georg von Tiesenhausen
Georg von Tiesenhausen
Dr. Georg F. von Tiesenhausen is a retired German-American rocket scientist. After being brought to the United States in 1953 as part of Operation Paperclip, he was part of Wernher von Braun's team at the U.S. Army, and later, NASA...

 
2007
Rice, JamesDr. James Rice 2007
Stubblefield, AmandaAmanda Stubblefield 2007
Oates, DanDan Oates 2007
Pettigrew, Penny J.Penny J. Pettigrew 2007
Smith, PhilCaptain Phil Smith, US Air Force 2008
Holderer, OscarOscar Holderer 2008
Devries, LisaLisa Devries 2008
Vazzo, VincentVincent Vazzo 2008
Whitfield, JoshJosh Whitfield, US Army Ret. 2008
Maicki, MarlennMarlenn Maicki 2008
Allan, JimJim Allan 2009
Gleason, JerrySGM Jerry Gleason, US Army Ret. 2009
Pearlman, RobertRobert Pearlman 2009
French, FrancisFrancis French
Francis French
Francis French is a book and magazine author from Manchester, England, specializing in space flight history. He is a former director of events for Sally Ride Science, and a director at the San Diego Air & Space Museum....

 
2010
Hnyda, DavidMajor J. David Hnyda, US Army 2010
Jaques, DannyDanny R. Jaques 2010
Hanson, AndreaDr. Andrea M. Hanson 2010

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 numerous 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.

Space Camp

Space Camp is offered for children between 9 and 11 years old, and typically runs from three to six days. The curriculum is designed to balance an emphasis on education with a spirit of fun. Children enrolling in Space Camp have the option to choose from one of three tracks, each with its own unique activities and areas of study: space, aviation and robotics.

Space Camp was the first of the camp programs offered, which is why it is used as the umbrella organization name. From the small groups that attended in 1982 it has grown to more than 500,000 graduates in week long programs.

Space Academy

Space Academy is a program intended for ages 12–14, offered in six-day sessions. Trainees (campers) attending in the summer may select from different track options.

Advanced Space Academy

Advanced Space Academy is designed for 15–18 year olds. There are two tracks offered: Pilot and Mission Specialist.

The program was originally known as Space Academy Level II and was started in Fall of 1987.

Parent/Child Space Camp

The Parent/Child Space Camp program allows parents or guardians the opportunity to attend Space Camp with their child aged 7–12 years. The program is three to four days and includes activities in which the adult and child work together.

Parent/Child also has an Aviation Challenge option. Pilot/Co-Pilot is designed for the young fighter pilots and their adult heroes. Offered during the summer months.

SCI-VIS

In cooperation with teachers of visually impaired students, Space Camp facilitates 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. Special materials, including handbooks translated in Braille
Braille
The Braille system is a method that is widely used by blind people to read and write, and was the first digital form of writing.Braille was devised in 1825 by Louis Braille, a blind Frenchman. Each Braille character, or cell, is made up of six dot positions, arranged in a rectangle containing two...

, and equipment are used during the camp. It is a fully participatory program intended to immerse students in an environment not limited by sight. For many students, SCI-VIS may be their first opportunity to interact with others of similar abilities. Referencing what may be a common sentiment among attendees, a SCI-VIS slogan is "Just because I can't see the stars, doesn't mean I can't reach for them."

Other programs

Space Camp offers several other programs. These include corporate programs, programs for adults and educators and a variety of educational field-trip programs for school groups. There were also special alumni sessions during the summer of the 25th Anniversary. Space Camp also started a new camp called X-Camp, an outdoor leadership camp.

Occasionally theme based 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
Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination
Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination is a traveling exhibition created by the Museum of Science, Boston, featuring props and costumes used in the Star Wars films, but focusing primarily on the science behind George Lucas' science fiction-fantasy epic...

.

Aviation Challenge

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

Simulators

There are simulators at Space Camp, such as:
  • The MAT (Multi-axis trainer) – Simulates disorientation, similar to the Multiple Axis Space Test Inertia Facility (MASTIF) developed for Project Mercury
    Project Mercury
    In January 1960 NASA awarded Western Electric Company a contract for the Mercury tracking network. The value of the contract was over $33 million. Also in January, McDonnell delivered the first production-type Mercury spacecraft, less than a year after award of the formal contract. On February 12,...


  • The 1/6 Chair – Simulates walking on the Moon
    Moon
    The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...


  • The 5DF Chair – Simulates the frictionless environment of space
    Space
    Space is the boundless, three-dimensional extent in which objects and events occur and have relative position and direction. Physical space is often conceived in three linear dimensions, although modern physicists usually consider it, with time, to be part of a boundless four-dimensional continuum...

     in five degrees of freedom
    Degrees of freedom (engineering)
    In mechanics, degrees of freedom are the set of independent displacements and/or rotations that specify completely the displaced or deformed position and orientation of the body or system...


  • The MMU (Manned Maneuvering Unit
    Manned Maneuvering Unit
    The Manned Maneuvering Unit is an astronaut propulsion unit which was used by NASA on three space shuttle missions in 1984. The MMU allowed the astronauts to perform untethered EVA spacewalks at a distance from the shuttle. The MMU was used in practice to retrieve a pair of faulty communications...

    ) – Simulates working untethered in a frictionless environment, such as during Extravehicular Activity (also known as an EVA or Spacewalk).


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 enables the rider to experience in a simulated fashion or better understand some aspect of space travel.
  • Space Shot
    Space Shot
    Space Shot is a type of amusement ride manufactured by S&S Power.The ride is a drop tower type attraction that uses compressed air to rapidly propel riders up the tower then gently lower them with a series of air-cushioned bounces back to the loading platform.The first space shot to be built in the...

     – Simulates liftoff.
  • G-Force Accelerator
    G-Force Accelerator
    G-Force Accelerator is an attraction at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. It spins rapidly, causing riders to experience three times the force of gravity. During the ride, riders rise up out of their seat temporarily. At the attraction's peak, riders' chairs will rise to the ceiling...

     – Simulates the G-Force
    G-force
    The g-force associated with an object is its acceleration relative to free-fall. This acceleration experienced by an object is due to the vector sum of non-gravitational forces acting on an object free to move. The accelerations that are not produced by gravity are termed proper accelerations, and...

    s put on astronaut
    Astronaut
    An astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft....

    s while re-entering the Earth's atmosphere or during launch.

Spacedome IMAX Theater

The Spacedome IMAX
IMAX
IMAX is a motion picture film format and a set of proprietary cinema projection standards created by the Canadian company IMAX Corporation. IMAX has the capacity to record and display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film systems...

 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

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 constantly manned by staff and has full CCTV
Closed-circuit television
Closed-circuit television is the use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place, on a limited set of monitors....

. 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 one hall of the Hab. The bays are named after legendary fliers and military aces.

The camp has a cafeteria facility where "campers" receive meals with pre-provided daily meal vouchers and have the option to purchase additional food items.

Movies and TV

  • SpaceCamp
    SpaceCamp
    SpaceCamp is a 1986 American film based on a book by Patrick Bailey and Larry B. Williams and inspired by the U.S. Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. Directed by Harry Winer from a screenplay by Clifford Green and Casey T. Mitchell, the film stars Kate Capshaw, Kelly Preston, Larry B...

    , the movie, was released in 1986 and resulted in a large growth of registration and attendance.
  • In several Nickelodeon
    Nickelodeon (TV channel)
    Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...

     game shows during the 1990s, grand prize trips to U.S. Space Camp were often offered.
  • In the movie Stranger Than Fiction, the main character's friend, Dave, states "You're never too old for Space Camp, dude." At the end of the movie, he can be seen looking at Space Camp brochure about "Adult Programs" from the 2006 season.
  • Space Camp trips, including tuition for adult programs, have been offered as prizes on The Price is Right
    The Price Is Right
    The Price Is Right is a television game show franchise originally produced by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman, and created by Bob Stewart, and is currently produced and owned by FremantleMedia. The franchise centers on television game shows, but also includes merchandise such as video games, printed...

    .

Notable attendees and guests

  • Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger
    Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger
    Dorothy Marie "Dottie" Metcalf-Lindenburger was born on May 2, 1975 in Colorado Springs, Colorado and married Jason Metcalf-Lindenburger, a seventh grade teacher at the time, in 2000. She was a science teacher at Hudson's Bay High School in Vancouver, Washington when she was selected in 2004 as an...

     is the first Space Camp alumna to become a NASA astronaut. Metcalf-Lindenburger, a former classroom teacher, was selected as an Educator Astronaut in the 2004 astronaut class. Dottie attended Space Camp as a high school freshman in the spring of 1989.
  • Chelsea Clinton
    Chelsea Clinton
    Chelsea Victoria Clinton is a television journalist, currently serving as Special Correspondent for NBC News, and philanthropist, working through the Clinton Global Initiative. She is the only child of former U.S...

     attended U.S. Space Camp during Bill Clinton
    Bill Clinton
    William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...

    's first term the week of 1993's International Space Camp.
  • Karenna Gore, Al Gore
    Al Gore
    Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....

    's daughter, attended Space Camp in 1985.
  • Amy Carter
    Amy Carter
    Amy Lynn Carter is the fourth child and only daughter of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter. She entered the limelight as she lived as a child in the White House during the Carter presidency.-Early life:...

    , former President Jimmy Carter's daughter.
  • The summer of 2006, one of Tom Hanks
    Tom Hanks
    Thomas Jeffrey "Tom" Hanks is an American actor, producer, writer, and director. Hanks worked in television and family-friendly comedies, gaining wide notice in 1988's Big, before achieving success as a dramatic actor in several notable roles, including Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia, the title...

    ' sons attended camp, and he was present for graduation. (The elder Hanks had brunch with former Apollo astronauts while in Huntsville.)
  • The elder President Bush
    George H. W. Bush
    George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...

     visited during his term as president, and subsequently was used on the U.S. Space and Rocket Center brochure for a period thereafter.
  • Dan Quayle
    Dan Quayle
    James Danforth "Dan" Quayle served as the 44th Vice President of the United States, serving with President George H. W. Bush . He served as a U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator from the state of Indiana....

     visited during his term as Vice President.
  • Al Gore
    Al Gore
    Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....

     visited during his term as Vice President
  • Kris Kristofferson
    Kris Kristofferson
    Kristoffer "Kris" Kristofferson is an American musician, actor, and writer. He is known for hits such as "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night"...

     attended along with his son Jesse at Parent/Child Space Camp in the summer of 1991.
  • The cast and crew of Apollo 13
    Apollo 13 (film)
    Apollo 13 is a 1995 American drama film directed by Ron Howard. The film stars Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, Kathleen Quinlan and Ed Harris. The screenplay by William Broyles, Jr...

     visited Space Camp during pre-production.
  • Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen attended U.S. Space Camp during production of The Adventures of Mary-Kate & Ashley.
  • Elizabeth Cooper, the daughter of Mercury Seven
    Mercury Seven
    Mercury Seven was the group of seven Mercury astronauts selected by NASA on April 9, 1959. They are also referred to as the Original Seven and Astronaut Group 1...

     astronaut Gordon Cooper
    Gordon Cooper
    Leroy Gordon Cooper, Jr. , also known as Gordon Cooper, was an American aeronautical engineer, test pilot and NASA astronaut. Cooper was one of the seven original astronauts in Project Mercury, the first manned space effort by the United States...

    , attended Space Camp Florida in 1990.
  • The adult children and grandchildren of Gemini and Apollo Astronaut Jim Lovell attended the Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama
  • Actress Charlize Theron
    Charlize Theron
    Charlize Theron is a South African actress, film producer and former fashion model.She rose to fame in the late 1990s following her roles in 2 Days in the Valley, Mighty Joe Young, The Devil's Advocate and The Cider House Rules...

     attended, with her child, a special weekend Parent/Child Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama.
  • Australian actor Lincoln Lewis attended Aviation Challenge in Huntsville, Alabama in 2003.
  • Jacob Roloff, son of Matt
    Matthew Roloff
    Matthew James Roloff is an actor, author, farmer and businessman, best known for participating with his family in the reality television program Little People, Big World seen on TLC. The show featured the Roloffs' daily life...

     and Amy Roloff, stars of Little People, Big World
    Little People, Big World
    Little People, Big World is a reality television series produced in the United States that aired on TLC. The series follows the six-member Roloff family farm near Portland, Oregon...

    on The Learning Channel attended camp in 2009
  • Bruce Springsteen
    Bruce Springsteen
    Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...

    's children have attended multiple camp programs.
  • Austin O'Brien
    Austin O'Brien
    Austin O'Brien is an American actor. He may be best known for playing the co-lead Danny Madigan in the Arnold Schwarzenegger-movie Last Action Hero, followed by his turn into romance as Nick Zsigmond in My Girl 2, and a part in both The Lawnmower Man and its sequel.Austin O'Brien got married on...

    attended Space Camp in 1997.

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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