A "First Timers" Article

[orion8]

I was thinking the other day... (yes, this is dangerous)

All of us who have ever been to a space camp program remember when we were a "First Timer." I believe something that I would have loved to have had before I went on my long awaited journey to ASA is a well written, detailed web page, or article, describing what space camp would be like, what to expect, how to prepare, etc. In the months(years?) before my departure to Alabama, I searched the web endlessly looking for such a page. I found many helpful people, many who visit this site now, who gave me tips on what to pack, etc., but none of this was in one such place.

We are all in a position to create such a thing. This particular forum has been a melting pot of ideas for newbies, from veterans of space camp. Would anyone be interested(particularly the Original Sevens) in helping write something like this? We could put all of our experiences together and come up with a brilliant piece that would be helpful to newbies who wish to make Space Camp their "Home away from Home."

Anyway, just a thought. Everyone let me know what you think, if its a good idea, bad idea, whatever! Thanks!

[Boomerang]

I think its a good idea. I'd be willing to write something for the page. Ofcourse when i went to space camp the first time verry few people even knew what the internet was. Their was no space camp web page so really the only info was available through the brochure.

[LaRsOnAtRiXkIx]

thats a really good idea. before i went i was searching the web for space camp sites, and found this one, with not much on it, but something liek that would have been really cool

[monkeynautt]

I use to spen hours on the net to find space camp sites with not much luck. Now I have this one to look at and I love it!

[Vincent]

This is something I've been meaning to get around to.

The program listing on the site isn't just there to provide the name of the programs...I am planning to write up a thing on each, but I only have one done (sorta) and I haven't worked on them for some time.

Like most of the site, it's one of those things that will get done when it gets done!

Don't let that stop you from writing one though...I may just use it instead of doing the actual work myself!
...though if you do it, please keep in mind that I may simply use it to build off of/expand or, at the very least, edit...

[orion8]

Well, here's what I was thinking: an article geared for Advanced Space Academy. The article would be more a "what to expect" and how to prepare rather than a general description of the program. It would be full of tips gathered from our own experiences at camp. The reason I say it should be for ASA is because I think we are all closest to that age in general (or remember it best) and most of the people surfing the net for information on camp would probably be older(generally). I dont know where we'd post the article(maybe Vincent could put it on Hab1??), but we could contact people behind many of the campers' sites out there and ask them to link to it. This way, it would be extremely easy to find if you were searching for space camp info.

As far as writing it goes, we could come up with an outline for it and there would be enough sections such that each of us who wanted to participate could write a section. We would all take advice from one another on writing our section. Typical sections could be "Introduction to ASA"; "Daily Life"; "Facilities"; "Simulators"; "Activities", etc.

What do you guys think?? Let me hear your input!!

[Boomerang]

Well that all sounds like a great idea. And if you do want info on other camp programsother than ASA i'm sure some people would be happy to provide it. I wouldnt mind giving info on the 3 other programs i've been too although some of it might be a little out of date now.

[Space Nerd]

I think its a great idea and i would be more than happy to help out sometime if you need me too. Just let me know!

[orion8]

Thanks, guys!!

I will post the outline soon (probably tomorrow) along with some info. I havent really had time to work on it lately becasue i've been so busy. I had an SAT I yesterday and works been hectic. Anyway, glad to hear I have you guys' support with this! Its been something I've wanted to do for some time, and I think it'd be really great if we could all contribute.

more tomorrow, i promise!

[Boomerang]

So has this idea been completely forgotten? We never did see an outline.

[monkeynautt]

Give the man some time! He's getting ready for camp and finishing off with school!!!

[Boomerang]

I was just asking since he said hed have the outline up in a day or so and that was a while ago.

[monkeynautt]

This is a busy time of year for us students. And he's also been working some late hours at his job!

[orion8]

Give the man some time! He's getting ready for camp and finishing off with school!!!

Thank you monkeynautt! I guess Loverboy has already forgotten how hectic student life can be! It is a very busy time for us all. At least you understand.

I did, however, say that I would have an outline soon. Regretfully, work and school have delayed it's completion. I am nearing an end with it, and hope to post it soon, but am not promising anything this time.

I will be away at ASA next week. This will, of coarse, hinder any work I plan on doing on the article in time ahead. These things take time.

The question arises now, of how to go about the actual writing of the article. My thoughts were to split the article into roughly seven or eight main topics. These sections will cover specific aspects of space camp life, such as housing, daily life, etc. Participants could then choose which portion(s) they would like to author. Each contributor would then write his/her section, using this thread as a network, seeking advice from others, giving constructive critism, and helping eachother along the way.

I have had several people tell me that they would like to see information on all of the Space Camp programs, not simply Advanced, as I posted earlier. I have given this a great deal of thought. I would like to see information promulgated on all of the programs U.S. Space Camp has to offer. However, the aim of this article is to be very specific, detailed, and elegant. I feel that by incorporating all of the camp programs into one article, we would be doing a disservice to all of them. Quality before quantity. Just as Vincent would have it.

Perhaps in the future, other "Guides" could be written. Other members of this forum who have expertise in programs beside Advanced could coordinate those efforts. The result would be a "series" of "Guides to Space Camp", each program-specific, each written with a quality effort that comes from a love of Space Camp.

It may seem that this is alot of work for a simple article. It is. But I believe in doing things the right way, the best that I possibly can. Our article will be a reflection on those of us who write it. To that end we should do our best, a lesson no doubt learned at Space Camp.

Thank you all for your continued support in this matter. Many of you have expressed your willingness to help, am I am grateful. With your help, we will have the greatest resource on the internet for first time campers.

[Boomerang]

I think if we all work on this it will be good. As far as the other programs i was thinking along the lines of what you were saying. Doing a diffrent article for each program at some point not all in one article.

[Kemara]

I volunteer to write on Adult ASA, but only after I get back from my second trip in Sept. Last year was so odd because of Sept. 11, that I want a hopefully normal experience to compare it to. I also plan to SCUBA dive and go out the the bar with everyone at night, two things I didn't do last year. Still no Area 51 for me....let's just say I can't walk a straight line 5 feet off the ground.

[Boomerang]

I'll definate;y be willing to help on any of the programs i attended over the years.