ISC 2011, the twentieth International Space Camp, comes to a close today. But the opening ceremony was the best in recent memory. And I have it pretty much in its entirety for your enjoyment!
The Parade of Nations into the Davidson Center 3D Theatre officially marked the beginning of the ceremony. Dr. Deborah Barnhart made her first ISC Opening Ceremony remarks as CEO of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.
Astronaut Robert “Hoot” Gibson, friend of Space Camp and all around magnanimous man, again had some wonderful remarks for the newly arrived visitors to our foreign lands.
The National Teachers of the Year began the introductions. As usual, an eclectic array of costumes were on display to help each teacher show off some feature of his or her state or territory.
The Austria contingent began the international leg of the ceremony.
After Austria, the groups went as follows:
Unfortunately, it seems flight troubles kept Greece and The Netherlands from arriving in time to give their presentations.
Mike Flachbart, Vice President of Operations, gave a reading of the proclamation from the Governor of the State of Alabama to officially open International Space Camp 2011. This ended the ceremony and gave the teachers and students a chance to try some good ol’ Southern barbecue!
After dinner, Teacher of the Year Michelle Shearer provided some nice after dinner remarks to all of the students and teachers in the room.
And that’s the way it was at the 2011 International Space Camp Opening Ceremony, held on July 23, 2011.