Parent/Child Camp
Moderator: Vincent
Parent/Child Camp
I was wondered if anyone has ever attended the parent child space camp or avaition camp?
My son wants to go (he is 7) and I was wondering if you could tell me about, the activites and if you enjoyed it. Since it will cost me over a $1000 to go with airfare and the fee - I want to make sure it is worth it.
Thanks!
My son wants to go (he is 7) and I was wondering if you could tell me about, the activites and if you enjoyed it. Since it will cost me over a $1000 to go with airfare and the fee - I want to make sure it is worth it.
Thanks!
Parent/Child Camps
I have been to both the Parent/Child Space Camp and the Pilot/Copilot Aviation Challenge programs more than once. Both are very good programs and I would highly recommend either of them. The Parent/Child Space Camp is similar to the Adult level one camp only less intense. There are two practices in the shuttle simulators and 2 one-hour mission where the parents and children work together on the mission. If the child is the commander, then the "parent" is the pilot. If one is Mission Specialist One, the other is Mission Specialist 2. (I use parentheses around parent because I attended with my nephews and there were several grandparents with grandkids on my teams). There are sessions in the different simulators and a special top-secret project that the kids work on. I attended this program last July. It was my 4th time attending that program.
The Aviation Challenge program, called Pilot/Copilot, is simulated fighter pilot training. There are survival exercises outside and mock battles in some of the best flight simulators around. Water survival is taught at the giant man-made lake and land-survival in the woods. The Escape and Evade exercise is the hightlight. It is a role-playing exercise where you are downed pilots escaping from an enemy prison at night. It involves mudding up your face and crawling through the woods that are being patrolled by the enemy (Counselors with super-soaker water guns) to get to your pick-up zone at a campfire. I last attended this program about 5 years ago.
I enjoyed both programs equally although they are very different. Aviation Challenge may be a little more physically strenuous and more time is spent outdoors. Space Camp is more educational and more time is spent indoors. I would highly recommend either (or both )
The Aviation Challenge program, called Pilot/Copilot, is simulated fighter pilot training. There are survival exercises outside and mock battles in some of the best flight simulators around. Water survival is taught at the giant man-made lake and land-survival in the woods. The Escape and Evade exercise is the hightlight. It is a role-playing exercise where you are downed pilots escaping from an enemy prison at night. It involves mudding up your face and crawling through the woods that are being patrolled by the enemy (Counselors with super-soaker water guns) to get to your pick-up zone at a campfire. I last attended this program about 5 years ago.
I enjoyed both programs equally although they are very different. Aviation Challenge may be a little more physically strenuous and more time is spent outdoors. Space Camp is more educational and more time is spent indoors. I would highly recommend either (or both )
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
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
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- HabForum Junkie
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I am pretty sure the kids all get to wear flight suits during their missions. If not, you can always buy one at the gift shop. It makes a great souvenir and I know a few kids who wore them days on end after they got home.
- Jennifer -
Youth ASA 6-Day 1998 1999
Adult ASA 8-Day 2004; Alumni 2007, CSC 2013, 2015, 2017
Youth ASA 6-Day 1998 1999
Adult ASA 8-Day 2004; Alumni 2007, CSC 2013, 2015, 2017
- monkeynautt
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Those in the orbiter or the ISS wear the orange flight suits.
You should also consider the 4 day program. On select long weekends there is the option to attend the 4 day parent/child. It includes a 3rd mission as well as other added activities. Last summer the 4 day program saw both IMAX films. The kids also got to do a special Mars activity.
You should also consider the 4 day program. On select long weekends there is the option to attend the 4 day parent/child. It includes a 3rd mission as well as other added activities. Last summer the 4 day program saw both IMAX films. The kids also got to do a special Mars activity.
-Laura
ASA:
Aug 2001 - Shepard
Aug 2002 - Shepard
July 2003 - Goddard
Dec 2003/Jan 2004 - Von Braun
May/June 2004 - Enterprise
Alumni SA:
June 2007 - Challenger
July 2009 - Columbia
Counselor:
Summer 2009
Robotics Counselor:
Summer 2010
ASA:
Aug 2001 - Shepard
Aug 2002 - Shepard
July 2003 - Goddard
Dec 2003/Jan 2004 - Von Braun
May/June 2004 - Enterprise
Alumni SA:
June 2007 - Challenger
July 2009 - Columbia
Counselor:
Summer 2009
Robotics Counselor:
Summer 2010
OK - I am an idiot.
My son is turning 7 in April. He is interested in both of the parent/child camps (space and aviation). Which is best for his age???
Any thoughts??? He loves fighter jets and needless to say - pretending he gets to shoot things is something he was excited about, but then I look at the space camp and see all the cool things they get to do - and don't want him to be disappointed. He is elaning toward the aviation camp - but I want to make surethat is best for his age.
Any help would be appreciated.
My son is turning 7 in April. He is interested in both of the parent/child camps (space and aviation). Which is best for his age???
Any thoughts??? He loves fighter jets and needless to say - pretending he gets to shoot things is something he was excited about, but then I look at the space camp and see all the cool things they get to do - and don't want him to be disappointed. He is elaning toward the aviation camp - but I want to make surethat is best for his age.
Any help would be appreciated.
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- HabForum Junkie
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You're not an idiot!
Both camps are designed for kids aged 7-12. Space Camp and Aviation Challenge are very good at creating programmes suitable for the advertised ages. I would't worry about that. Sign up for whichever camp your son seems most interested in. You can always come back and do the other camp next year.
And I second the 4-day recommendation. More days = more fun.
Space Camp has more reading, but I think parents can help with that, especially with the youngest kids. Most 7 year-old kids I know in English school can read fairly good by age 7, but kids in Francophone or bilingual schools may not be able to read as much, if any, English at that age.
Space Camp is also prone to sitting still for longer periods of time whilst Aviation Challenge has more outdoor and active activities. This may be something to consider if your son doesn't sit still very well, as some 7 year-olds tend to be. Although, when kids are engaged in something they really enjoy, they can sit still even if they don't do so normally. (That doesn't help you any.)
Whichever camp you choose, you and your son will have fun. I'm sure of that!
Both camps are designed for kids aged 7-12. Space Camp and Aviation Challenge are very good at creating programmes suitable for the advertised ages. I would't worry about that. Sign up for whichever camp your son seems most interested in. You can always come back and do the other camp next year.
And I second the 4-day recommendation. More days = more fun.
Space Camp has more reading, but I think parents can help with that, especially with the youngest kids. Most 7 year-old kids I know in English school can read fairly good by age 7, but kids in Francophone or bilingual schools may not be able to read as much, if any, English at that age.
Space Camp is also prone to sitting still for longer periods of time whilst Aviation Challenge has more outdoor and active activities. This may be something to consider if your son doesn't sit still very well, as some 7 year-olds tend to be. Although, when kids are engaged in something they really enjoy, they can sit still even if they don't do so normally. (That doesn't help you any.)
Whichever camp you choose, you and your son will have fun. I'm sure of that!
- Jennifer -
Youth ASA 6-Day 1998 1999
Adult ASA 8-Day 2004; Alumni 2007, CSC 2013, 2015, 2017
Youth ASA 6-Day 1998 1999
Adult ASA 8-Day 2004; Alumni 2007, CSC 2013, 2015, 2017
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- Junior Camper
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Have you taken your kid thru one of the programs yet, birdman? My 8 year old son and I just graduated yesterday from the 4-day parent/child space camp. It was an awesome bonding experience and we both loved it. I'm an enlisted military member so I'm not exactly rich and I understand wanting to "make sure it's worth it." Believe me, it is well worth it. In fact, we had such a great time, I'm already considering taking him back for pilot/co-pilot AC next year.
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- HabForum Junkie
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WOW
My son and I went to the pilot/co-pilot aviation challenge! It was amazing! He absolutely loved it (as did Dad).
Thanks for all the advice - it was an amazing experience!
Thanks for all the advice - it was an amazing experience!
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- HabForum Junkie
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- Junior Camper
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Thanks for the information, everyone. I hope to go to Parent/Child Space Camp with my son next year, because he turns 7 soon. (He's been looking forward to it for years!) We'll definitely do the 4-day, because more is better.
One question: are the parent/child camps designed for just one parent, or can both go?
One question: are the parent/child camps designed for just one parent, or can both go?
~ Chris
Adult ASA 8-Day 2004
Parent/Child 2013
Adult ASA 8-Day 2004
Parent/Child 2013
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- HabForum Junkie
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Chris!! P-Deck??
Your son is almost seven years old? My, how time flies.
Any-who, parent-child used to have the option of one or two parents with one child, but I don't know if they still do that. I don't see it mentioned anywhere on their website either, so it would be best to call the camp and find out.
Your son is almost seven years old? My, how time flies.
Any-who, parent-child used to have the option of one or two parents with one child, but I don't know if they still do that. I don't see it mentioned anywhere on their website either, so it would be best to call the camp and find out.
- Jennifer -
Youth ASA 6-Day 1998 1999
Adult ASA 8-Day 2004; Alumni 2007, CSC 2013, 2015, 2017
Youth ASA 6-Day 1998 1999
Adult ASA 8-Day 2004; Alumni 2007, CSC 2013, 2015, 2017
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P-Deck!
Yep, it's P-Deck. And yes, it's already been SIX YEARS. Can you believe it?!?
I still wear my Space Camp jumpsuit at every opportunity; those things are sturdy! (photo) (It has a few more patches these days, too.) The geeklet will be super excited about getting one of his own next year.
I already requested an information packet about the P/C camps, and I'll call the camp and talk to someone as the time gets closer. Thanks!
I still wear my Space Camp jumpsuit at every opportunity; those things are sturdy! (photo) (It has a few more patches these days, too.) The geeklet will be super excited about getting one of his own next year.
I already requested an information packet about the P/C camps, and I'll call the camp and talk to someone as the time gets closer. Thanks!
~ Chris
Adult ASA 8-Day 2004
Parent/Child 2013
Adult ASA 8-Day 2004
Parent/Child 2013
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- HabForum Junkie
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No , I never believe it's been six years until I stop and think about everything I've done since then. I'm considering returning soon with my husband for the 8-day camp again.
Haha, geeklet - perfect nickname for your wee one.
FYI - I know someonw who makes patches now too, should your team (or anyone) decide to make them.
And let us know what the allowable parent-child ratio is now. I'm sure other parents on the forum would like to know. (And me, should I take my little cousin one year.)
Haha, geeklet - perfect nickname for your wee one.
FYI - I know someonw who makes patches now too, should your team (or anyone) decide to make them.
And let us know what the allowable parent-child ratio is now. I'm sure other parents on the forum would like to know. (And me, should I take my little cousin one year.)
- Jennifer -
Youth ASA 6-Day 1998 1999
Adult ASA 8-Day 2004; Alumni 2007, CSC 2013, 2015, 2017
Youth ASA 6-Day 1998 1999
Adult ASA 8-Day 2004; Alumni 2007, CSC 2013, 2015, 2017
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I'll definitely update the forum with the information I get. This has already been more informative than the official site.
As for patches, I've had some made by Ideal Patch out of Florida, the same folks who made our 8-day patch. Really solid quality, and they can do all sorts of crazy things, including both glow-in-the-dark and UV-sensitive threads.
As for patches, I've had some made by Ideal Patch out of Florida, the same folks who made our 8-day patch. Really solid quality, and they can do all sorts of crazy things, including both glow-in-the-dark and UV-sensitive threads.
~ Chris
Adult ASA 8-Day 2004
Parent/Child 2013
Adult ASA 8-Day 2004
Parent/Child 2013
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- Junior Camper
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