The HabForum

I made a post about this topic over a year ago, but I think it's a well known fact that <20% of campers are "space nerds" (in a good way). I have observed this at SC and SA. I was actually bullied for liking space at SA. Of course, SA kids are more prone to bullying due to their middle school age. I would be fine now if I was the only "space nerd" on my team, I have since expanded my horizons socially. However, at ASA are there more of the "nerd" type kids, or just general people? I would think it would be more "nerds," because ASA is kinda the opposite of what most teens think is "cool," and the recent economy would filter out a lot of kids.

Well when i went to ASA wich was what seems like n eternity ago we had a few non space tyoes there just for fun but most had some intrest in space, engineering or sciences. When i worked there you seemed to get a mix at all age levels it just varies from team to team.

Generally, you can expect trainees in the younger programs to be less-interested in space, as many of them are there just because their parents made them go. It's those unwilling campers who can ruin a team, and you will see less and less of this with older age groups. You may experience a drastic shift in overall camper attitude with the ASA high school program (formerly known as Space Academy Level II). Most of the kids in ASA are there because they wanna be there, have at least a small interest in space travel, and as a whole tend to be much more fun to be around. But, like Boomerang said, your experience in any program will vary from team-to-team.

Hotdog wrote:Generally, you can expect trainees in the younger programs to be less-interested in space, as many of them are there just because their parents made them go.

Interesting, when I did SC, the team was great, they all wanted to be there. When I was at SA, this one kid kinda ruined my trip, I think he was there with his cousin. It would make sense if he was sent there. I still will never be able to figure out why parents will spend hundreds of dollar for something there kid won't enjoy, especially when cheaper alternatives are available. I had to work to get there, lol.

DanM wrote:I still will never be able to figure out why parents will spend hundreds of dollar for something there kid won't enjoy.

THIS! If you're going to force Billy-the-horrible to go to a camp, why pick one that costs a grand a week and is not something he's remotely interested in?

Picture the smart alaeck kid with the jeep in "Spacecamp-The Movie".

bnaivar wrote:Picture the smart alaeck kid with the jeep in "Spacecamp-The Movie".

Kevin?

I absolutely loved Advanced Academy when I was a counselor.. for the most part (i'd say about 90% of the time), these kids are the ones who wanted to hear the most about space history, etc.. I could actually share some really technical stuff with them and they loved it.

As an ASA camper, I can say most everyone in my groups absolutely love space, especially at my 12-day experience this year. We could get into the "hairiness" of it, if you will, and we all love it.