Yay! Registered for 2009 Adult Camp!

[toddy71]

My wife got me an early Christmas present and signed me up for the 8 day Adult Camp October 10-17, 2009! I will be in the mission specialist track. It's my first time to camp, so I am super excited! It will be just after my 38th birthday, so hopefully I can hang in there.

I might fly in a day early to get my bearings as I live in Colorado. Plus, I have no idea what to expect! Alas, I am super excited.

There doesn't seem to be a lot of information about the adult camp, even on the official site. Anyone got any good info for the adult camps?

Thanks! Best!
Todd.

[Boomerang]

Well i havent been to the adult advanced program so i don;t know much detail on it. But there are a few people here who have been i hope to at some point as well. From what i understand its essentialy like the youth program except it gets more in depth. You will also have more freedom to come and go as you please where as youth participants are pretty closely watched. What i can tell you is you are in for a great time and 4 shuttle missions unless they increased that number, You;ll see one of the best space museums around and meet some great people. Maybe some of the people who have been to the advanced program can give some specific detail.

[gt0163c]

I did the adult ASA program in 2007. While I haven't done the youth program in it's current incarnation, from what I understand, adult ASA is very similar to youth ASA but you have more freedom. If there's an activity or lecture or something you don't want to do, you don't have to. Although they do ask (very strongly) that you be there for all mission training and all missions.

If the program remains the same, you'll do four 1 hour missions during which you will rotate through the different positions on the shuttle, station and in MOCR (mission control) with two of your assignments being in MOCR. In the shuttle, you'll get to do an EVA and fix a satellite. In station you'll do experiments. In MOCR you'll be doing a lot of monitoring and fixing problems. At the end of the week, you'll have a six hour EDM (extended duration mission). The team gets to decide who gets what positions during EDM. The missions are similar to your one hour missions but the activities and anomalies are more involved. During the EDM, one mission specialist may be selected to do an underwater EVA (which is an amazing experience).

The rest of the week is spent in various activities, lectures, time at Area 51, at aviation challenge flying the simulators (don't worry if you're bad at it, just have fun), museum time, building and launching model rockets and all sorts of other things.

If you're really interested, I blogged about my experience while I was down there. The first post is here.

[monkeynautt]

Actually, since he's going to 8 day ASA, the final mission will be 24 hours (unless they have since changed that). I did the 24 hour mission in 2004 and it was awesome. You're in for a great time.

[SpaceCanada]

Hurrah for another person going to the adult 8-day ASA!! I went to the first one back in 2004 and it was incredible, to say the least.

Here are some of my original posts about it:
http://www.hab1.com/HabForum/viewtopic. ... y&start=40

And the photos:
http://spacecamp.ibnerd.net/main.php?g2_itemId=3814

You are going to have a GREAT time! A bunch of my team mates from 2004 go every year so you will undoubtedly have them on your team. Say hello to Mike and Cliff from me, AKA 'Braids' that week. A shout to Carol, Carolyn, and Greg too if they're there.

I started to write highlights but didn't know where to begin or what to say.

Otherwise, if you have any questions about the 8-day programme feel free to let me know. If I don't have the answer, I can e-mail some people who will.

[toddy71]

Wow! I am amazed at the outpouring of information from everyone!

Even Andrew, the webmaster, shot off a question to sales and got me a great response. He mentions he'll be editing it in to the site soon.

Questions? Well sure, I bet I'll have many. I am so very excited and everyone is so friendly. I've been checking out everyone's pictures too, and wow, it makes me want to go now. I wish it weren't 11 months away.

I am a little nervous about jumping in for my first time into the 8 day ASA, but I bet it will be great. I plan to be fully immersed!

Todd.

[pilotgirl21]

I'm sure you'll have a great time. I haven't done the adult 8 day program, but I have done the adult 4 day program and the youth 6 day ASA program. I've always had a great time. Adults get more freedom, which I did enjoy (there was a point during my weekend when I couldn't take another minute sitting down and skipped out on a lecture). I do recommend going to most of the lectures, since that's why you're at camp. The lecture that I skipped started at the time the museum was closing, so walking around the peaceful museum sounded much better to me at the time. The missions and mission training are definitely a must. You will have a great time and meet some new people. I still keep in touch with many of the people I met at camp in June 2007.

[SpaceCanada]

I am a little nervous about jumping in for my first time into the 8 day ASA, but I bet it will be great. I plan to be fully immersed!

The friend I went with to the 8-day programme, Elaine, as well as the other two 'anklebiters', had never been to Space Camp before either. While it was a bit overwhealming at time, they said they picked up on things quick and the more experiences team mates would fill in the gaps as needed. That being said, never hesitate to ask the counsellors, staff, or your team mates if you have a question or do not understand something.

The 8-day programme is definitely geared towards alumni and people who know what is going on but if you have a clue about the space programme and have a fairly good brain between your ears you should be able to keep up.

Oh, and never mind the REALLY experienced team mates. Yes, they can run through checklists in record time and recite the shuttle operator's manual from memory, but they are also full of pointers, great information, and will slow down and help you out if you need it. It can be intimidating to newbies (or even youngens like myself) but you will be welcomed into the team right away and soon enough you will be reciting checklists in your head and discussing the finer details of EMUs and PVAs. (or PEEVA's if you wish)

Lastly, make sure you bring some self-adhesive velcro, scissors, a mini roll of duct tape, a notepad, and a few pens. The 'ghosts' on the adult 8-day have no mercy and if you leave anything (ANYTHING!!) not velcro-ed or stuck to something, it will 'float away' and become lost or end up someplace you don't want it to. Believe me on that...

PS - Beig in MOCR for the 24-hour mission really isn't so bad. It was quite hilarious actually. And you can walk around rocket park at night, order in pizza, etc. - things you cannot do on the orbiter or station, so it has benefits. (That being said, I still would want to be on station or the orbiter, but hey, it's all good - honest.)

[Mercergl]

hahahaha yes, the 'ghosts!' So apparently hypodermic needles floating around can magically depress their own plungers. Or so they would have us believe. I wanted to ask about the air bubbles that would kill you if you got injected with them, but that wasn't the best idea, considering I had already been killed twice in two impossible ways. Suffice to say, bring something to tie stuff down

[toddy71]

So I am beginning to look at plane tickets and think about transport while in Huntsville for my trip in October.

I am more than likely just going to take the direct United flight from Denver, which gets me in to Huntsville just before 4pm on the day before camp, then stay in a hotel and get a good night's rest before the camp. We'll have a 2 month old, and I'll want to catch up on sleep before an intense week of fun.

So, what's the best way to get to hotels? Shuttles? Taxis? Any recommended hotels? And then of course getting to camp from the hotel.

And for going home...there is a United flight at 3:10pm. Would that work? The brochure says adult 8 day graduation is 11am. Is that when it's over? If so, I should be in great shape. And how would I get back to the airport?

8 months to go!

[pilotgirl21]

There is a Marriott hotel located right next door to Space Camp, so you won't have to go far to get to camp if you stay there on your first night in Huntsville. Probably a taxi would be the best way to get to the hotel. I believe people said the taxi from the airport to camp was $15-$20.

As for getting back to the airport, camp does have a shuttle that can probably take you back...it should be running on a Sunday, since there is a lot of transportation back and forth between camp and the airport on Sundays. Just make sure to let someone know...I think there is a form you can fill out for that service. If not, probably someone else from your group will be headed back to the airport too, and you can split a cab.

A 3:10 flight should be fine. Graduation doesn't last that long, and you can probably head to the airport right after. You need to check on the shuttle to the airport if you are planning on taking it, so you know what time it leaves and make sure you have enough time for bag checking and security at the airport. Your teammates may want to get together for lunch after graduation, which you would miss with an early flight, so it's up to you. I know flights in and out of Huntsville don't run often, so that may be your latest flight time you can get.

I hope this helped you out some! I know you'll have a great time!

[Boomerang]

I would recomend staying at the Huntsville Marriott it is right there next to the camp. They also have a shuttle from the airport to the hotel. The camp is within easy walking distance from the hotel i'm in a wheel chair and went from there to the camp suitcase and all last summer with no problem.

Transportation wise from the camp to the airport generaly the camp can provide this for you but be sure to check with them on that since you wont be a hotel guest anymore. I have never seen them turn someone away but if so cabs are available. Camper services can help you make any arrangements when your there. The marriott is a little pricy generaly 89-100 a night but it is a very nice hotel and its convenient.

[SpaceCanada]

I'll add my vote to staying at the Marriott next to Space Camp. They have a free airport shuttle that will take you to the hotel. Then, all you need to do is walk the 100 metres from the Marriott to Space Camp when the time comes. It is a bit more expensive but the free airport shuttle and the 5 minute walk to Space Camp will make up for the taxis you would need if you stayed elsewhere. That, and it has an indoor/outdoor pool - yay! A lot of the adult campers stay there the night before so you may coincidentally meet a few of your fellow team mates there - you cannot miss them - they will probably have USSRC or Space Camp shirts/hats/shorts on.

Also, you may want to e-mail Space Camp and tell them you will be coming in a day early and ask if they can have your ID tag ready at security wen you get there. (Security is the little entrance on the side of the museum building at the corner of the car park nearest Pathfinder - you cannot miss it.) I did the last time and they had my name badge at security so I could wander around Rocket Park - I forget if they made us get out when the museum closed but I don't think so because we had the camp ID tags on. But, if you just want to stay at the hotel and go swimming or whatever, that's up to you.

I think the 3 PM flight will work We had team mates leave right after graduation to catch their flights so you won't be the only one. They had a Space Camp shuttle going to the airport for all of them, but as said before, check with camp and see if you can get on that shuttle. You used to be able to enter your transportation form online - not sure if you can still do that.

You are going to have a great time!

[gt0163c]

When I went to Adult camp in 2007, I went in a day early and stayed at a La Quinta inn not far from the airport. Getting to the hotel was a bit difficult as I arrived fairly late and had to wait about 40 minutes to get a cab (Huntsville airport not being the busiest place on a Saturday night). The cab took me to the wrong hotel (there are two or three of the same chain on the same street, just different sections of the street). That cab company called a different cab company to pick me up to take me to the right hotel (didn't want to admit their mistake maybe?). That hotel said they were full and tried to move me to a different hotel. I loudly complained and *Poof* they found me a room...which hadn't been cleaned. But, then, there was another room. That one had been cleaned and that's where I crashed. I went to church with some friends of friends and was dropped off at camp after lunch. That part worked out well.

After camp, about half my team was on a roughly 3pm flight. They all left very shortly after graduation. I was on a 5:30ish flight, so our remaining team went to lunch at the Mariott and then hung around the museum before it was time for me to catch my shuttle to the airport.

In the future, I htink I would pay the extra to stay at the Mariott. It is more expensive, but with a free shuttle and, especially if you don't have transportation the next morning, it would be much easier.

The other option would be to rent a car from the airport for a day, drive to the hotel, drop the car back off in the morning (or after church if that's your desire) and then get picked up at the aiport by the Space Camp shuttle. If you're over 25, rental cars and hotels can generally be found very cheaply on Hotwire.com. There's some restrictions and there's no refund if your trip gets cancelled, but the prices are the best that I've found. I've used Hotwire for car rentals and hotesl many times and never had a problem that was Hotwire's fault.

And, once again, I'm jealous. I would love to be going to adult camp this summer, but my schedule and finances do not allow it this year.

[toddy71]

Thanks everyone for all your replies! They've been very helpful. We booked my flight today direct from Denver. I fly in a day early and leave on the 3:10pm flight after graduation.

I'll be booking a room at that Marriott for Friday night and then just walk over to camp when it's time to check in!

I already got my physical for the year and had my doctor sign off on the scuba training box, so that's cool too!

Getting very excited now.

[pilotgirl21]

That's great! You're going to have a great time!

[SpaceCanada]

Hurrah! Let the count down begin! You are going to have a fantastic time!

[Pete Conrad Fan]

Big thumbs up for going a day early. I *almost* missed out on the first meeting for Alumni camp because my early early early flight was delayed for over 4 hours for flight crew rest. (They got in too late the night before and needed 8 hours).

Have a great time! I want to do this myself soon!!

[Conan]

My reservations are made. I am attending Parent/Child with my youngest nephew starting July 31. After camp is over, we are driving to Florida in the hopes of seeing the August 6 launch of Discovery (fingers crossed). I may have to start finding Great-neices or nephews to bring in the future.

[pilotgirl21]

Have fun! I wish I could go back this summer, but it will be at least another few years (and moving further away greatly increased transportation costs).

You don't need nieces and nephews to bring with you, just grab a random child in the right age group from somewhere! (You know I'm kidding!)