2009 Hall of Fame Weekend Recap

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Benji
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2009 Hall of Fame Weekend Recap

Post by Benji »

This thread is for folks to post about their experiences this weekend at the alumni camp, Apollo Reunion, and HoF induction events.

Alumni Camp Roster:
Jeramy (Team Leader)
Sue (P/C alum)
Jim (Sue's 'buddy')
Charles (alum)
Vincent (alum, former counselor, and Hall of Famer)
Ben (alum)
Laura (counselor, alum, #1 Space Camp Fan)
Jordan (counselor)
Alex (counselor, alum)
Erin (counselor, alum?)
Travis (counselor, alum)

As you can see, our team consisted mostly of current counselors who signed up for or won a spot on the team. It turned out the be pretty cool to have a bunch of Space Camp experts in the group.

Day 1, Friday
I arrived at Camp and the counselor at the red gate started giving me directions to the Hab. I listened patiently, but she stopped herself partway through and said "you know where to go".

Once in Habitat 1, I learned that badges had been replaced with wristbands. One one hand, this is a great way to stop kids from constantly losing or forgetting their badges and helps improve security; on the other hand, it's much less cool. Thankfully, our team still got badges which came with the added bonus that everyone thought I worked there.

We assembled in Challenger Auditorium for Matt Green's orientation speech and then chatted until lunch. Then came our team photo followed by the bus ride to Area 51.

Bojangles told us about the latest goings on at Area 51; he always has cool stories about the folks that come through his course. Then, he told us that we would be doing the zip line and that we could each choose between climbing the rock wall or the giant's ladder to get up to it. Everyone attempted the climb and almost everyone made it to the top. They even allowed us to take a running jump from the platform, which was super fun. Our debrief conversation revolved around teamwork and how our Camp/Area 51 experience changes as we grow up.

We went back up top for a presentation about Ares from a NASA public education person. Then we headed over to the Astrotrek dome for the MAT and 1/6 gravity chair.

That evening was the Apollo/Saturn Reunion. We didn't realize that it started at five, so we missed the opening ceremonies (which looked to have been pretty interesting). Dinner was very good and the ATK rep gave my daughter a foam space shuttle, which is now her favorite toy. We also got to try some yummy Purity ice cream. I was tired and left after dinner.

After the ceremony, we went to Buffalo Wild Wings (I was disappointed to find out that "B-Dubs" no longer refers to Benchwarmer, where counselors used to go). I rocked the first trivia game, but Jeramy put me in my place for the next two.

Day 2, Saturday
We started the day off with a "low-residue" steak and eggs breakfast with Hoot Gibson (real steak on real plates with real silverware and a real astronaut!). Hoot told us that, since waste management isn't quite the ordeal it used to be, this tradition isn't really practiced anymore; astronauts generally eat whatever they want while in quarantine, often gaining weight, especially if the launch is scrubbed several times. Hoot also talked about his appearance on Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, his recent and upcoming travels, some interesting planes he's flown, and his job with Beechcraft. He posed for a bunch of photos before he had to leave.

For Mission Alpha, I was Flight/Prop, Travis, Alex, and Erin were also in MOCR, Jim and Sue did the EVA, Laura and Charles were on the flight deck, and Vincent and Jordan were in Station. In MOCR, the doubling up of roles could get a bit confusing, but we had fun with it. We took full advantage of a bug (read: feature) of the comm system which allowed the CAPCOM to cross the MOCR and air-to-ground loops so that we could all talk together, using it to encourage (read: annoy) Laura during her landing attempt. The one-hour AOA mission closed with a perfect landing.

After lunch was Mission Bravo, also a one-hour AOA mission. We elimintated the Station positions this time around; Jordan and Erin were on the flight deck, me, Alex, and Travis were mission specialists, everyone else was in MOCR. Three MS positions is rare for such a sim, but it was more realistic as Travis controlled the RMS (with me on the end) from inside the orbiter. Jordan's landing was excellent. Alex opened the payload bay doors as we taxied down the runway, a funny effect that cannot happen in real life (click that link for more than you ever wanted to know about the PBDs).

That evening, three exellent individuals were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Since the space shuttle launch was scrubbed, we heard more about Ares from a manager at ATK. We ate good food, socialized with other attendees, and bid on silent auction items. Afterwords, several of us met at Otter's, the bar in the Marriott; Hoot was there and a good time was had by all.

Day 3, Sunday
After cleaning out our rooms and having breakfast, we headed over to AC where Piglet briefed us on the Mach II sims. We flew around, had a little dog fight, and then took a spin on the centrifuge.

We went back space-side for Space Bowl, playing the Camp version for fun. The Flaming team, captained by Jim, beat the pants off Sue's Autographed Posters. The game was played on a PowerPoint game board which could have been developed much better. Also, we were in a small classroom that had been setup in the old lobby; I commend them for making use of recently freed space, but the thing is kind of an eyesore (all of the classrooms are, of course, but this one is in public view).

The counselors were drooling over the deli sandwich (two thin slices of meat, really?) and baked potato lunch. At grad, Sue won Right Stuff, our team photo came out nicely, and we exchanged contact info. Then we had a presentation on the plans to update the MCC with Constellation sims and Lunar/Martian surfaces complete with bases. It sounded pretty cool and I'm hoping that I can find some way to help out with this effort (or at least see it being developed).
Last edited by Benji on Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:06 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Post by Hotdog »

I was wondering where all of the badges went! I was walking around the campus and was staring down Campers wondering where their badges were. I didn't even think to look for wristbands!

You forgot to mention the Flaming Hooker shots that Hoot did at Otters. I thought his mustache was gonna catch on fire!
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Post by Benji »

I just thought I'd sketch out the hapenings (hopefully it wasn't too litaneous) and let others fill in the colorful details.

BTW, I enjoyed your post about the changes at the USSRC from a visitor's point of view.
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Post by Mercergl »

You had a ? next to Alex for alum. If it's the same alex I'm thinking of (currently a counselor?) then I believe he did go. Yeah just some random information I was trying to remember (had an Alex as a counselor this year, he was awesome. He mentioned having gone.).
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Post by Boomerang »

Benji as for counselors drooling over the deli sandwiches and baked potato. Having worked ther for 3 mnths and eating the cafeteria food every day i can tell you thats one of the best meals of the week. There is a reason they are drooling.
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Post by Mercergl »

That would be one of the few foods that are exceedingly difficult to screw up. I can definetly understand the drooling and such.
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Post by Benji »

Thanks, Mercergl, I fixed it. The counselors explained their love of that particular meal to me, but it was pretty funny for an outsider.
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Post by Mercergl »

No problem and I'm sure they don't find it funny but the food thing is always funny to see.
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