The HabForum

OK. We've heard that Space Camp had plans to start up a Star Trek camp, but because of financial problems, that's on the back burner. But think for a minute of what such a camp would be like. What kind of levels would there be? Career tracks? How would missions be handled? How would they work with technology that doesn't exsist yet outside of a television sound stage? Let's just brainstorm and see what we can come up with...we can plan it ourselves ready to present to TPTB.

What a great topic! While I haven't give this thought before, I'm about to now!

First, the obvious tracks would be that of command, science, and engineering. This makes it nice and tidy, as they're already used to dealing with a three-track program. Also, this stays true to the Star Trek universe as well.

Uniforms would have to be that as seen on TV/Movies/etc. Which era to set the camp in, would be quite difficult. While I suppose it would sorta be possible to do a nonspecific era, it would be difficult.

The best choice, in my mind would either be to make it that of the Original Series. This way, the fate of that universe is already known, and you're not going to have continuity errors. By this I mean, if as a main simulator you build TNG's Enterprise bridge, well...that's been destroyed. Say you make it take place during the Enterprise era...what if, halfway through the seres, the first ship gets destroyed and they get an all new Enterprise? This could be a big problem. I'd probably just set it in the realm of TNG/DS9/VOY, as that era is most established, most popular, and most documented.

Which brings us to the sims. Assuming one "set," the best thing, in my opinion, would be to make a replica of one of the ships from one of the series, but rename the ship. They could make it something different, and not have to worry too much.

Instead of an orbiter, you have the bridge...instead of mission control, you have main engineering. I'm not quite sure where sick bay would fit it...it probably wouldn't even be necessary.

Make the "cadets" wear uniforms conforming to the era of the camp...and then provide them with bodyguards to the other campers don't beat them up!

Also, to ensure long-term viability, I think the very first camp should be an adult camp, as there are plenty of hard-core adults that will leap at the chance to fork their money over for this. This would provide the Space Center with higher margins which they'll certainly need to cover the licensing fee! Eventually, you could provide a camp for the age range of ASA, but I doubt anything below that would be feasible.

Those are some good thoughts Vincent. I know paramount was supose to be a big part of seeting up the camp so they may have certain guidelies to follow and will probably have good ideas on the tracks and technology.

I'd heard of the Star Trek camp before, but I really have no clue where they were planning to put it...anyone?

I mean, they'd certainly have to build an area just for that, if they were going to do it right, anyway...

According to the space and rocket centers currator dave Alberg who i know personally the Star Trek Space camp was going to be part of a major renovation that would include the museum and camp. Some of the plans were to turn the present museum into a welcoming center, build a new building for the NASA artifacts and a new building for the Army artifacts. They have less than half of their current total collection on display in the current museum. They were also going to build a new building to house the Space Camp Facilities as well as expand the AC area. A couple other plans that were included were to expand the habs and install a monorail to travel across the property. The space and rocket center owns alot of land around the current museum that is not currently being used. Oh and they had originally planned to stand the real saturn 5 but they built the full scale replica instead. So far it looks like other than the Saturn 5 replica and a few changes in the museum recently all the other plans are on hold.

That's interesting, Jason....I'd heard about most of those ideas. I wonder how much money they need to get back in the black. I'd heard about a committee called "Save Space Camp" but I don't know any info on it. Let's see....if we each go back this summer..that's roughly $1,000 per person right there...We were told that the adult program is their biggest money-maker because adults buy things for themselves and family whereas the kids and teens don't have much of their own cash.

I dont know how much they need to get back in the black but i hope they can do it. I'd love to go to a star trek space camp. And even if its never created id like to send my future kids to space camp.

Actually, I think the corporate program is their biggest money maker...it's something like $500 per person per day!

...though I'm sure they don't do that in the same volume they do the adult programs...

Vincent wrote:...though I'm sure they don't do that in the same volume they do the adult programs...

But if they did, there'd be no talk of financial trouble for space camp!!

I'm sure space camp will get out of the bad financial situation eventually. It's just going to take some time.

back to the star trek thing... i think it'd be better if it was The Next Generation, but thats just my opinion...

Althought a TNG era camp would be best an Enterprise era camp would probably be easiest because the technology is so close to our own.

I think you need to watch a few more episodes of Enterprise!

...It's not that close to our own!

It's closer to TNG then us, I would say...

why would the technology need to be close to our own?? star trek is fiction, not reality, and its camp counterpart would need to be the same.

Maybe i should clarify my comment. The equipment on Enterprise is still push buttons and switches. It has communicators that could probably actually be made and the computers are generally lap top style. It would be easier to duplicate te look of an Enterprise era ship and have it work then it would to create a tng era ship. I do agree Enterprise does look newer than the tos era but it still has an older look about it. The ship on Enterprise isnt the luxury liner of TNG or Voyager its cramped and the panels are bulky instead of the nice smooth luxurious look of later shows. It would in my opinion be easier to recreate areas on an Enterprise era ship instead of a later era.

with the advent of TFT LCD and touch-screens, i dont think it'd be too hard too create the TNG era enterprise, with the LCARS system and such. though the price tag might be ridiculous

Well considering space camps financial situation i think the high cost of a tng era ship would be a big concern. I would prefer a TNG era ship especially since i have all the uniforms from that era but it might be too expensive.

its my favorite era since its the one i grew up with and was probably the most ahead of its time.

I agree that tng is the best. I was just saying that an Enterprise Era ship would be easier and cheaper to create. Plus since it is the only Trek series on the air right now Paramount might only agree to do it from that era.

I've never seen the show but William Shatner is Canadian!