So, who's ready for 2014?

The place where campers hang out after a long day in the sims.

Moderator: Vincent

SpaceCanada
HabForum Junkie
HabForum Junkie
Posts: 2125
Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2004 2:07 pm
Location: Canada

Re: So, who's ready for 2014?

Post by SpaceCanada »

I remember the three tracks as well, back in my youth years. I remember being in the Payload Specialist track my first year and Mission Specialist for the second. Happy times!
- Jennifer -
Youth ASA 6-Day 1998 1999
Adult ASA 8-Day 2004; Alumni 2007, CSC 2013, 2015, 2017
majtom7
Pathfinder
Pathfinder
Posts: 388
Joined: Sat Feb 15, 2014 5:46 pm
Location: 62 miles from the Karman line

Re: So, who's ready for 2014?

Post by majtom7 »

Found this note at Sprocketeers about the last ASSEC quarterly meeting:

Center staff reviewing pricing of some group camps to help to make up for a downtrend in short programs. Interesting note – payroll makes up 61.42% of operating revenue.

Downtrend in short programs? Downtrend is probably declining attendance yet what's considered a short program?

Not surprised that payroll is the USSRC's biggest expense but am surprised that the percentage is not signficantly higher....
"I wanted to be humble, never arrogant, which is a trait astronauts despise." Mike Massimino
User avatar
p51
HabForum Junkie
HabForum Junkie
Posts: 1058
Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2012 12:36 am
Location: 2558 miles from Space Camp
Contact:

Re: So, who's ready for 2014?

Post by p51 »

majtom7 wrote:Downtrend in short programs? Downtrend is probably declining attendance yet what's considered a short program?
Maybe this explains why they're testing a 4-day adult program? I've done two 3-day adult programs already, and every time, someone's mentioned that 3 days just isn't long enough to justify the trip if you came from far away. Also, someone has wished that the program we were in at the time could have been longer (especially in the case of the first team I was on, I think if they offered us a way to extned for a full week by the end of the 2nd day, many of us probably would have paid extra and changed our schedules as we were all having such a great time as a group).
Like many, I hope this is a sign that longer adult programs will be back eventually.
Skidmark
Space Academy: 2012, 2013 and 2014
Advanced Space Academy: 2016 and 2018

Undefeated for winning mission patch designs!
Official Space Camp Ambassador
User avatar
spacemanpic
Camper
Camper
Posts: 23
Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2011 7:15 am

Re: So, who's ready for 2014?

Post by spacemanpic »

It would be nice if they were able to bring back a few "week-long" sessions for adults. But in the end if 4-days is all they offer, I shall gladly take it.

Still, it would be nice if we knew what the differences between the three day and four day programs was (I know this has been said before...I'm just agreeing with everyone in case someone is counting the number of forum folks interested). The more Space Camp I can get, the better.

I'm definitely looking forward to October 2014.

- Justin
User avatar
Steve
Pathfinder
Pathfinder
Posts: 214
Joined: Wed Feb 29, 2012 6:48 pm
Location: Murfreesboro Tennessee (83 miles from Space Camp)

Re: So, who's ready for 2014?

Post by Steve »

spacemanpic wrote:It would be nice if they were able to bring back a few "week-long" sessions for adults. But in the end if 4-days is all they offer, I shall gladly take it.

Still, it would be nice if we knew what the differences between the three day and four day programs was (I know this has been said before...I'm just agreeing with everyone in case someone is counting the number of forum folks interested). The more Space Camp I can get, the better.

I'm definitely looking forward to October 2014.

- Justin
So Justin you are doing the 4 day camp in October? If so look forward to meeting you.
Adult Space Academy 2012 Team Columbia
Adult Space Academy 2013 Team Discovery
Adult Space Academy 2014 Team Discovery
Adult Space Academy with Astronaut 2015 Team Discovery
Official Space Camp Ambassador
Volunteer at US Space & Rocket Center
User avatar
Conan
Pathfinder
Pathfinder
Posts: 258
Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2007 1:08 pm
Location: Michigan

Re: So, who's ready for 2014?

Post by Conan »

I, too, would like to see the longer camps come back. I was in two, one eight-day and one six-day and we chose our tracks. In one I was in the Engineering Track, because Mission Specialist is my favorite position. The second time I decided to try the Aviation Track and even though the team was not very cohesive, I still had a great time. I got to rescue two mission specialists whose suits were leaking and while I was out on the EVA, the Payload Specialist accidentally de-pressurized the Orbiter, so the three of us were the only crew left alive.

Most of the time, I find, that the counselors try to give the campers the positions that they desire, if possible. And if you have a great position on orbiter, then in your MOCR mission you get a lesser position or vice versa. For our eight-day camp, though, since we were all adults, they let us decide among ourselves for the EDM. Each of the tracks got together and came up with a decision. Because it was a twelve-hour mission, they gave us the option of having the station crew and the MOCR crew switch at the halfway point. We all came to agreement without difficulty because that was the most cohesive team that I have been on. The MOCR crew decided that they wanted to stay in MOCR for the full 12 hours. They were pretty hard-nosed. Especially our CAPCOM who talked the orbiter crew through several close calls based on his careful study of all of the Orbiter switches in the earlier training.

In Parent/Child they sometimes had everyone who wanted a particular position throw their badges into a hat and then drew them out for the spot. The kids thought that was fair enough. The parents are always paired with their child, so that they are side by side during the mission.

One of my nephews decided that he wanted to be Payload Specialist, which was my least favorite postion. No one fought him for it so we got it and we ended up winning the highest award, something I have only done that time and once in Aviation Challenge. And we had a lot of fun doing 3 experiments in the SpaceLab.

All of the positions have a lot of interest and after I had been Mission Specialist several times, it was fun to try a different spot.

Don't know what I will get in August, but I am sure looking forward to it and I know I will enjoy whichever positions I am given.

Just a warning to my fellow August 8-11 attendees: I have made a playlist of all my space-related music and am getting a battery powered speaker dock so that I can score our missions!! (Yes, I have the Right Stuff Soundtrack!!)
Conan
1988-Adult Lev. I
1994-Parent/Child
1996-Adult Lev. II
1997-Adult AC
1998-P/C
1999-Pilot/Copilot
2000-P/C FL
2000-Adv. Adult Acad
2001-Adult AC
2004-Pilot/Copilot,
2007-Adult Alum.Reunion
2009-P/C
2014 - Adult 4-Day
2015 - Advance Adult Academy
User avatar
Hotdog
Top Gun
Top Gun
Posts: 902
Joined: Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:11 am
Location: Rocket City, USA

Re: So, who's ready for 2014?

Post by Hotdog »

Image

Looks like you guys will be getting new aquanaut wings....
4-time Space Camp/Academy alumni
1989, 1991*, 1992, 1994
*Right Stuff Award Winner
User avatar
p51
HabForum Junkie
HabForum Junkie
Posts: 1058
Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2012 12:36 am
Location: 2558 miles from Space Camp
Contact:

Re: So, who's ready for 2014?

Post by p51 »

Hotdog wrote:Image
What the heck are those in the row fourth from the left?
I like the new SC wings, much better than the uber-cheesy old design!
Skidmark
Space Academy: 2012, 2013 and 2014
Advanced Space Academy: 2016 and 2018

Undefeated for winning mission patch designs!
Official Space Camp Ambassador
User avatar
Vincent
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 1167
Joined: Mon Jan 01, 2001 12:55 pm
Contact:

Re: So, who's ready for 2014?

Post by Vincent »

p51 wrote: What the heck are those in the row fourth from the left?
Robotics "wings."

See this post for a close-up.
User avatar
spacemanpic
Camper
Camper
Posts: 23
Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2011 7:15 am

Re: So, who's ready for 2014?

Post by spacemanpic »

Steve,
Yes! I will be there for the 4-days in October.

I look forward to meeting you then. It's always fun to meet people from HAB1 in person. We met Lin in person at camp after talking on here first.

October can't come soon enough. :P

- Justin
User avatar
Hotdog
Top Gun
Top Gun
Posts: 902
Joined: Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:11 am
Location: Rocket City, USA

Re: So, who's ready for 2014?

Post by Hotdog »

Image

I was wondering what the lab coats were for when I saw them hanging in the offices back in January. We were so busy that I didn't have a chance to ask what they were for. Now I know!
4-time Space Camp/Academy alumni
1989, 1991*, 1992, 1994
*Right Stuff Award Winner
majtom7
Pathfinder
Pathfinder
Posts: 388
Joined: Sat Feb 15, 2014 5:46 pm
Location: 62 miles from the Karman line

Re: So, who's ready for 2014?

Post by majtom7 »

Want to get a jump on my forms for the October 4 day... SCUBA form is not required so that must not be on the schedule.
"I wanted to be humble, never arrogant, which is a trait astronauts despise." Mike Massimino
User avatar
Steve
Pathfinder
Pathfinder
Posts: 214
Joined: Wed Feb 29, 2012 6:48 pm
Location: Murfreesboro Tennessee (83 miles from Space Camp)

Re: So, who's ready for 2014?

Post by Steve »

majtom7 wrote:Want to get a jump on my forms for the October 4 day... SCUBA form is not required so that must not be on the schedule.
Just guessing, I say the 4 day camp is a expanded version on 3-day camp. Any one who has the inside scoop chime in on this please. Longer missions & more sims time I am hoping for!!!
Adult Space Academy 2012 Team Columbia
Adult Space Academy 2013 Team Discovery
Adult Space Academy 2014 Team Discovery
Adult Space Academy with Astronaut 2015 Team Discovery
Official Space Camp Ambassador
Volunteer at US Space & Rocket Center
User avatar
Conan
Pathfinder
Pathfinder
Posts: 258
Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2007 1:08 pm
Location: Michigan

Re: So, who's ready for 2014?

Post by Conan »

I just called Space Camp today and they confirmed that the Hall of Fame Dinner is built into the schedule for the 4-day Adult Camp, August 8. So I went online and got my ticket. I didn't see a way to let them know that I would like to be seated with other Hab 1 people, although they did let me put in my dietary preferences. See you there, whoever is also going.
Conan
1988-Adult Lev. I
1994-Parent/Child
1996-Adult Lev. II
1997-Adult AC
1998-P/C
1999-Pilot/Copilot
2000-P/C FL
2000-Adv. Adult Acad
2001-Adult AC
2004-Pilot/Copilot,
2007-Adult Alum.Reunion
2009-P/C
2014 - Adult 4-Day
2015 - Advance Adult Academy
User avatar
p51
HabForum Junkie
HabForum Junkie
Posts: 1058
Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2012 12:36 am
Location: 2558 miles from Space Camp
Contact:

Re: So, who's ready for 2014?

Post by p51 »

Conan wrote:I just called Space Camp today and they confirmed that the Hall of Fame Dinner is built into the schedule for the 4-day Adult Camp, August 8.
I wish they'd made this August session an option originally, I know of a few people who signed on for the October 4-day camp as it was the only one in 2014 for a while. I think some folks missed out on the Hall of Fame by signing up for October. SC didn't do themselves any favors there as I'd think many die hard SC types would go for the 4-day option and therefore would be more likely to do the Hall of Fame thing, too.
Skidmark
Space Academy: 2012, 2013 and 2014
Advanced Space Academy: 2016 and 2018

Undefeated for winning mission patch designs!
Official Space Camp Ambassador
majtom7
Pathfinder
Pathfinder
Posts: 388
Joined: Sat Feb 15, 2014 5:46 pm
Location: 62 miles from the Karman line

Re: So, who's ready for 2014?

Post by majtom7 »

p51 wrote:I wish they'd made this August session an option originally, I know of a few people who signed on for the October 4-day camp as it was the only one in 2014 for a while. I think some folks missed out on the Hall of Fame by signing up for October. SC didn't do themselves any favors there as I'd think many die hard SC types would go for the 4-day option and therefore would be more likely to do the Hall of Fame thing, too.
The August camp has open spots and you can transfer for free. Might be a problem if you've already made your travel arrangements and/or need to get days off work yet if you want your cake (4 day camp) and eat it, too (Hall of Fame), it's not too late. 8)
"I wanted to be humble, never arrogant, which is a trait astronauts despise." Mike Massimino
street
Counselor
Counselor
Posts: 223
Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2007 11:10 am
Location: Huntsville, Alabama

Re: So, who's ready for 2014?

Post by street »

Hotdog wrote:Image

I was wondering what the lab coats were for when I saw them hanging in the offices back in January. We were so busy that I didn't have a chance to ask what they were for. Now I know!
The lab coats you saw in the DC offices are not the ones the Robo Crew Trainers wear. The ones in the offices are for the docents, all former NASA engineers who now volunteer to talk to visitors and share their expertise.
Image
Living the dream
street
Counselor
Counselor
Posts: 223
Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2007 11:10 am
Location: Huntsville, Alabama

Re: So, who's ready for 2014?

Post by street »

Hotdog wrote:Image
Looks like you guys will be getting new aquanaut wings....
These are Crew Trainer wings. The trainee wings remain the same.
Image
Living the dream
majtom7
Pathfinder
Pathfinder
Posts: 388
Joined: Sat Feb 15, 2014 5:46 pm
Location: 62 miles from the Karman line

Re: So, who's ready for 2014?

Post by majtom7 »

majtom7 wrote:The August camp has open spots and you can transfer for free. Might be a problem if you've already made your travel arrangements and/or need to get days off work yet if you want your cake (4 day camp) and eat it, too (Hall of Fame), it's not too late. 8)
Just 4 slots left as of a couple of minutes ago....
"I wanted to be humble, never arrogant, which is a trait astronauts despise." Mike Massimino
majtom7
Pathfinder
Pathfinder
Posts: 388
Joined: Sat Feb 15, 2014 5:46 pm
Location: 62 miles from the Karman line

Re: So, who's ready for 2014?

Post by majtom7 »

So here we are, a little over 6 weeks until the August 3 day camp spread over 4 days, and still no listing of major activities. As an educated consumer, I am having a hard time with USSRC's customer unfriendly attitude. For example, if I sign up for a cruise, I know the stops and special events before I pay. The daily order of those is not available but I know what I am going to get. If I buy a packaged vacation, I know what I am getting for my money before I pay. Yet we're supposed to register, pay ahead of time, and find out what we're doing when we start? That was fine for me the first 4 times yet as an older and wiser repeat customer with more options for spending my hard earned pay, I want to know what I am getting for my money. I'm a bit beyond "I'm proud, happy, and thrilled." It's a reasonable request, especially since there are no refunds (cancellation policy included below). :x

I suppose I'll try calling again tomorrow as emails just get ignored which, IMHO, is a sign of a serious customer service problem. People are asking you about your product and you never even acknowledge the request?


In the event you must cancel your reservation, you will receive a refund as defined below:
Cancellation notice must be submitted in writing
Registration fee is non-refundable
Refund will be issued in the same manner payment was made
90% of tuition paid will be refunded if written notice is received no later than eight weeks prior to session start date (Individual bookings only)
Cancellations received within eight or less weeks of session start date forfeit full tuition
Cancellation requests due to illness or accident prior to the camp session start date require a physician's written verification. Upon receipt of verification, we will issue a full refund
Cancellations due to personal reasons, etc. will not receive a refund
Trainees who leave during a session WILL NOT receive a refund
"I wanted to be humble, never arrogant, which is a trait astronauts despise." Mike Massimino
Post Reply