United States Space Camp
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The U. S. Space Camp is hosted by the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The camp revolves around themes of space travel and exploration. Space Camp offers a variety of programs year-round, providing adventures for kids and adults alike.
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[edit] Programs
[edit] Space Camp
Space Camp is offered for children between nine and 11 years old, and programs are available from a two day - to a two week experience. The curriculum is designed to balance a strong 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. There are also joined tracks like the space and robotics track.
[edit] Space Academy
Space Academy is a program intended for ages 12-14, offered in both six- and eight-day sessions. Trainees (campers) may select from two different tracks: the "new" track, for those who have not previously attended the camp, and "alumni," for children who have. It builds on campers' previous experiences.
[edit] Advanced Space Academy
Advanced Space Academy is designed for young adults aged 15-18 years. There are four tracks offered: new and alumni pilot, new and alumni mission specialist, and others.
[edit] 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 days in length and includes activities in which the adult and child work together.
[edit] Other programs
U.S. Space Camp offers several other programs, including corporate programs and programs for adults and educators.
[edit] Simulators
There are simualtors at space camp,such as
The MAT (Multi-Axis-Trainer);Simulates Disorientation
The 1/6 Chair;Simulates Walking On The Moon
The 5DF Chair;Simulates The Frictonless Environment of Space
The G-Force;Simulates the G-Force Put On Astronauts While Re-Entering The Earth's Atmoshphere
The Space Shot;Simulates Liftoff
[edit] Aviation Challenge
Aviation Challenge, or AC, offers three main programs for children from ages 9-18, training them to fly, act, and think like US Navy fighter pilots.
Mach I Mach I is the AC program for children from 9-11. Campers learn basic flying skills, such as taking off and landing, dog-fighting, and ground munitions delivery. Campers also participate in survival training on both land and water.
Mach II Mach II is designed for young teens from the ages of 12-14. In Mach II the basic flying skills from Mach I are expanded upon, culminating at the end of the week in a "TopGun" competition, to determine the week's best pilot. While flying campers also learn land and water survival skills and culminate the week in a NAVY SEAL Search and Rescue (SAR) mission during the day, and an escape and evasion activity that night.
Mach III Mach III is the final stage of AC, designed for young adults aged 15-18. Flying in Mach III becomes even more difficult, using full sized simulators, communications, the pairing of a pilot and RIO (Radar Intercept Officer) to work together, and daily missions that are scored. Mach III campers once again learn land and water survival, using equipment such as the "helo-dunker" and a zip line to simulate a parachute landing. Culminating the week is an extensive Navy SEAL Ops mission and very challenging escape and evasion activity.
[edit] Accommodation
If a Space Camp program takes more than one day, "campers" stay at the space camp's Habitat 1, seen on the right or Habitat 2 (not pictured) which is located behind Habitat 1. This large building is designed for young people. It is constantly manned by staff and has full CCTV. Male and female rooms are usually separated by floor.
[edit] Notable Attendees and Guests
- Chelsea Clinton attended U.S. Space Camp during Bill Clinton's first term. Hillary Clinton attended the graduation ceremonies.
- Recently, one of Tom Hanks' sons attended camp, and he was present for graduation. (The elder Hanks had a brunch with former Apollo astronauts while in Huntsville.)
- The elder President Bush 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 visited during his term as vice president.
- Kris Kristofferson attended along with his son Jesse at Parent/Child Space Camp in the summer of 1992.
- The cast and crew of Apollo 13 visited Space Camp during pre-production.
- Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen during production of The Adventures of Mary-Kate & Ashley
