Federation of Galaxy Explorers
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The Federation of Galaxy Explorers (FOGE) is a youth group seeking to "...inspire and educate kids in space related science and engineering. Galaxy Explorers was created to prepare children for the future; a future that advances a space faring civilization."[1]
Similar in some respects to Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, FOGE sponsors monthly "Mission Team" meetings, where adult volunteers teach space subjects and lead the participants in projects in space science, earth science, engineering and rocketry. Participants can earn ribbons and patches indicating mastery of certain subjects.
Space-themed summer camps are held, offering younger participants the chance to design and build a simulated "moonbase". High-school aged participants have the opportunity to build and launch rockets with simulated satellites (instrument packages) that can reach altitudes of up to 2 miles, and are recovered by parachute while transmitting real-time telemetry data on position, attitude, temperature and other parameters.
FOGE begain in 2002 with pilot programs in Colorado, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia. It has since expended to Montana, Texas, California, and New Mexico, and supports over 15,000 participants.
