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Re: 2018

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2018 11:46 am
by gt0163c
Sadly I'm not going to be making it to camp this year either. I did a few days at Universal Orlando in the spring and that ate up a good portion of my travel budget for the year. But I am going to the Cosmosphere in Hutinson, KS in August. I'll also be spending a lot of time on space related activities this fall and into the winter. I'm coach a FIRST Lego League team and our theme this year is, "Into Orbit". So we'll be doing all sorts of fun space related things. And once my team narrows down their research project topic, be on the look out for posts requesting people to correspond with the team and act as experts and help us out.

Re: 2018

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2018 12:20 pm
by majtom7
I am debating a camp this year because I know people attending in September yet I am disappointed in the sample schedules. Camp time and more importantly to me, mission time, keeps shrinking in comparison to the good 'ol days. Sure, it keeps the price down yet I would rather pay to play. Of course, I have a few other things I'd like to do, like go to the Delta museum and book time in their simulator, Mario Andretti Racing Experience, etc. Plus there are some health concerns in the household that I need to consider..


P.S. and my gut tells me that another recession is coming...

Re: 2018

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 5:07 am
by Feuerfresser
Did you realized, that registration for 2019 is open, now?

Did anybody knows the sence of "Chaperone-Expeditions"?

Re: 2018

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 9:46 am
by p51
majtom7 wrote:I am debating a camp this year because I know people attending in September yet I am disappointed in the sample schedules. Camp time and more importantly to me, mission time, keeps shrinking in comparison to the good 'ol days.
I've heard this from others as well, that back in the day, there was more sim time. After going a few times with new people to SC, I get the impression that generally, most 'normal' people want more than just sim time, based on conversations I've had with SC staff.
I also would rather the sessions be filled mostly with sim time, but they gotta go with what seems to work with most of the people who show up. We have to face facts that people like us (the ones who want to keep going back) are in the minority.
Feuerfresser wrote:Did you realized, that registration for 2019 is open, now?
Yes, I noticed that as well. I don't know how realistic it is to schedule well over a year in advance, though (unless it's in conjunction with a large trip before or after the camp session).

Re: 2018

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 12:44 pm
by majtom7
p51 wrote: After going a few times with new people to SC, I get the impression that generally, most 'normal' people want more than just sim time, based on conversations I've had with SC staff.
One would think that a weeklong camp means appreciably more mission time than a weekend camp. However, the weeklong has even less mission time proportionally than the weekend ones (based on the sample schedules without meals) - 20% versus 40%.

I suppose that's more in tune with the type of mission astronauts fly these days.

Re: 2018

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 3:50 pm
by p51
majtom7 wrote:One would think that a weeklong camp means appreciably more mission time than a weekend camp. However, the weeklong has even less mission time proportionally than the weekend ones (based on the sample schedules without meals) - 20% versus 40%.
I haven't measured it, but I also wouldn't argue against your numbers. I did the week-long 'Hoot Camp 2' in 2016 and other than the 12-hour LDM, it didn't seem like we spend a huge amount of time in the sims, proportionally to the duration of the time we were there.
All that said, I know that not everyone loves the sims. At that week-long camp, there were first-timers in the group and a couple of them were sort of 'meh' about the sims. In earlier 3-day sessions, I knew a few who really didn't care about them one way or another. My very first time, I was PLT on a 2-hour "LDM." Once we were done, the CDR said that initially, she didn't care about the sim at all. She added that my enthusiasm rubbed off on her and she wound up enjoying it more than she thought she was going to (a moment I'm quite proud of today). I've been to SC four times and all but one time (Team Disco 2014, the team you and I were both on, Majtom7), I've encountered at least one person who didn't care about the sims.
You, I, and many who'd post here love the sims. But not everyone does.
For example, I could live the rest of my life without ever seeing another model rocket. I got that out my system in my teens. But many people love making them as for a lot of them, that's the only time they'd make and fly one. So I go along with it every time with smile on my face.

Re: 2018

Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 2:09 pm
by majtom7
p51 wrote:For example, I could live the rest of my life without ever seeing another model rocket. I got that out my system in my teens. But many people love making them as for a lot of them, that's the only time they'd make and fly one. So I go along with it every time with smile on my face.

I've made plenty of them, too yet I like doing them at camp. I try things that I would never try at home, e.g., like a 3 stage with maxxed out C engines, because there's no time to get attached to them so if they turn lawn dart or early Christmas ornament, oh well <shrug>

BTW, she weathercocked and all 3 engines lit. We found the first stage at the frontage road, never did find the rest. My guess (hope?) is that she made it across the interstate. OOPS LOL

Re: 2018

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 9:07 am
by Hotdog
Speaking of rockets, Space Camp will attempt the Guinness world record for the most model rockets launched on July 16 of next year as part of their Apollo 50th anniversary. The goal is to have a million rockets fired off around the world, with each time zone launching their rockets at 9:32am, the same time as Apollo 11. Time to start building your rockets now!

Re: 2018

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 4:13 pm
by ApolloXI
Sad to say I am not sure when I will return because of money and the fact I have moved across the country compared to living just two hours away. Maybe in 10 years or so I can take my my children.

Re: 2018

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 5:29 pm
by p51
The oddest thing happened very recently.
My pal Steve from SC texted me a photo of one of the week-long adult sessions this fall. I made a "hmmm" comment and my wife overheard. She asked what it was and I showed her the text, simply surprised they're doing a week-long session and for no other reason.
She looked at it and said, "You could do that, I'd think."
8O 8O 8O 8O 8O 8O
I never would have thought I had a shot at it. I even got my boss to sign off on the time off (which is even harder than getting my wife's permission) yesterday.
Just put down the deposit a few hours ago.
I still have a lot of details to iron out (for example, a hotel cheaper than the Marriott as I just don't want to HAB it for another week like I did in 2016), but it looks like I'm going back this year, after all! :D :) :wink: 8)

Re: 2018

Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2018 5:10 am
by Feuerfresser
but it looks like I'm going back this year, after all!
really cool :-)

Re: 2018

Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2018 11:57 am
by Hotdog
p51 wrote:I still have a lot of details to iron out (for example, a hotel cheaper than the Marriott as I just don't want to HAB it for another week like I did in 2016), but it looks like I'm going back this year, after all! :D :) :wink: 8)
They just built a new hotel directly across the highway from Space Camp, the Drury Inn. These are typically cheaper than Marriotts. You might look into that. There's also an Extended Stay nearby.

Re: 2018

Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2018 12:35 am
by WesL
Hotdog wrote:
p51 wrote:I still have a lot of details to iron out (for example, a hotel cheaper than the Marriott as I just don't want to HAB it for another week like I did in 2016), but it looks like I'm going back this year, after all! :D :) :wink: 8)
They just built a new hotel directly across the highway from Space Camp, the Drury Inn. These are typically cheaper than Marriotts. You might look into that. There's also an Extended Stay nearby.
Drury Inn opens in August. In addition to the Extended Stay Hotdog mentioned, there is also a Hilton Garden Inn in the immediate neighborhood. Also there is a Candlewood Suites that a lot of people forget about as well. https://www.ihg.com/candlewood/hotels/u ... oteldetail

Re: 2018

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2018 7:46 am
by Conan
For example, I could live the rest of my life without ever seeing another model rocket. I got that out my system in my teens. But many people love making them as for a lot of them, that's the only time they'd make and fly one. So I go along with it every time with smile on my face.
I have been thinking lately that a good replacement for the rocket launch, for adults, would be to build and fly our own drones. That could include a robotics component that a lot of us have been hoping for.

Re: 2018

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2018 11:37 am
by majtom7
Conan wrote:I have been thinking lately that a good replacement for the rocket launch, for adults, would be to build and fly our own drones. That could include a robotics component that a lot of us have been hoping for.
My ex once got me a remote control helicopter. It was $600 at the time, probably 30 years ago. The first time I flew it (with the "training wheels" on), I crashed and it needed $150 in repairs. I never flew it again. No, thank you to drones (and robotics), at least for me.

Re: 2018

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2018 6:03 pm
by p51
Conan wrote:I have been thinking lately that a good replacement for the rocket launch, for adults, would be to build and fly our own drones. That could include a robotics component that a lot of us have been hoping for.
But how do drones really translate for anything space related? I doubt the Martian atmosphere would allow one and nowhere else could you fly one except back here on earth.
At least model rockets are related to the space mission...

Re: 2018

Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2018 7:52 am
by Conan
I hadn't thought about the lack of atmosphere. More about the robotic construction and the control of a remote device. You are right. It would probably be better to build a rover for Mars or the Moon. And there would be less likelihood of damage moving it around inside the space center, since I suspect that the outside area may be controlled airspace.

Re: 2018

Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2018 10:18 am
by SpaceCanada
LEGO Mindstorms robotics are used in the robot price lab. The challenge tables are designed for rover missions. The only issue with robotics is that they take several hours for building and programming them. I don't see how they could include it in a weekend camp, but it would be a nice addition to a week-long programme.

The simple drones they use in the youth camps can be built quickly and are easy to fly - much easier than a helicopter! They are more expensive than model rockets, though.

Re: 2018

Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2018 11:53 am
by Hotdog
Space Camp has built a drone course next to the rocket launch area. I think the drones are being used as part of the Robotics Camp. Not sure if they are incorporating them into the Space Camp curriculum yet.

Re: 2018

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2018 9:31 pm
by SpaceCanada
How's the camp planning coming along, Lee (P51)? Are you registered yet?

I still only see the 3-day camp dates, no week-long programmes are listed on the main adult page, but there's a week-long programme on 04 November for US$1349 that is open. Too bad there's no way to know about it unless you know it's there.