10 Suggestions for Space Camp

Though I tend not to get up on a soapbox very often, I decided I would take the opportunity to put forth 10 things I think could help Space Camp gain in quality and popularity.

Some of these may or may not be viable, and none, all, or some of them might actually happen.  Nevertheless, here they are.

10 Things Space Camp can Do Logo

Things to Improve and Strengthen Space Camp:

Space Camp has had some tough breaks in recent years and despite being on the road to recovery (kudos, by the way), nothing is guaranteed. As such, I felt it my responsibility to make some (hopefully) constructive suggestions as to how (USSRC CEO) Larry Capps and company could bring back the luster to the Space Camp programs. While some suggestions may have a bit more whimsy to them than others, I think all of them are relatively reasonable and could affect Space Camp and the USSRC in very positive ways.

1) Constant Pricing The Early Bird Specials are nice, but wouldn’t an everyday price cheaper than regular tuition but more expensive than $649 (the price of the most recent deal) be better? $649 is quite amazing for a program like ASA or Mach III, but I believe you risk alienating those that end up paying more later. You may not fill up sessions for the summer as quickly, but with a constant price that isn’t as prohibitively expensive as it has been in the past (I shelled out $999 on more than one occasion), I believe attendance rates and margins could both improve. Further, a flat price for any and every program, even if it is a limited time special, doesn’t seem to make a whole lot of sense.

2) Extend the EDMs Three 24 hour EDM’s were a nice start, and certainly a welcome surprise, but you need to bring back the 12 hour EDM for everyone and continue to have at least 4 24 hour EDM’s per summer. Further, extending ASA in the summer is nice, but why not do it all year long? And don’t just give campers more free time- they have enough of that at home- but fill it with even more content (a 12 hour EDM is a good start).

3) R-E-S-P-E-C-T I’ve heard from more than one counselor over the years that, although they very much love Space Camp, they can’t help but be a bit dispirited that campers ultimately get looked upon and treated much like cattle. These truly are America’s future astronauts, scientists and engineers. Remember this. And while we’re on the subject of respect, the counselors probably aren’t getting their fair share around the palace. They are your greatest resource and Space Camp’s most public face. Do everything in your power to insure that the friendly smile they always manage to keep on their faces is never a forced one.

4) SpaceCrap.com The website has gone through a few updates in the past few years and remnants from the old look still remain, while other links are broken. Some information is out of date, and the site lacks a consistent look. The site needs to be updated in both format and content. Currently, spacecamp.com provides what I would consider to be the bare minimum of information necessary to convince kids to go to camp, and adults to pay for it. And if the program guide is to continue to get less colorful, less descriptive, and filled with less content, it must be made up for on the web. When I was young, I remember being in awe at the images of what I would get to see and do if I went to camp that were in your brochure. You need a place (either in print or on the web) to display such wonderful sights.

5) Keep Alumni Involved Implement the Space Camp Alumni program. I know there have been some preliminary plans drawn up for it. Do it. Either make it an add on to USSRC membership or another program all together, but make your alumni feel engaged with Space Camp more often then one week every year or two. This will help ensure repeat business.

6) Network Work out a cooperative crossover deal with the Air Force. Hand out Air Force recruitment brochures to AC graduates. In return, have the Air Force refer interested pilots to Aviation Challenge so they can get a taste of authentic military aviation. Such a symbiotic relationship should prove beneficial to both parties.

7) Spatial Entrepreneur Get a Resident Astronaut. You used to have one once. He or she could speak to campers every week on whatever topic proves interesting. Make sure he/she has been into space. More than once, if affordable. Further, include this information in your program guides, promotional materials, etc. This will give credibility to Space Camp practically being a prerequisite to be an astronaut (an angle that could definitely be exploited)!

8) Make a DVD Get Anchor Bay (or anyone else) to reissue SpaceCamp on DVD in a new special edition. Amongst the bonus features, include a documentary focusing on the real Space Camp. Quite frankly, this is the sort of thing that should have been pursued with the first version and probably would have cost you nothing save for a little time and effort. And with the out of print DVD’s going for about $40 on eBay, there must be a market for another release, right?

9) I Wish I had a Space Center in my Backyard Convince MSFC to let Space Campers back in. I understand closing off tours to the general public, but if it makes them feel better, they can check the kids for C-4 before taking them on the tour.

10) Advertise! Start by bringing back the Mission to Malls program (assuming it was at least modestly successful. I liked it, at least). Next, though TV may be too expensive (and I would question its effectiveness), magazine ads might prove to be a good fit. Some suggestions: National Geographic Kids, Boys’ Life, and Popular Science. Try an internet ad campaign also. This should be quite cheap and could prove surprisingly effective.

Well, there you have it. Feel free to send me emails telling me how stupid my ideas are and how crazy I am.

EDM Details (Finally) Online

Space Camp has just posted information regarding the 8 day ASA and Mach III programs online.

If you visit the website and click on the “Click for your Special Invitation – Alumni Only Special” at the top left corner, you’ll be taken to all of the information. Or you can just click here.

One thing listed though that was not previously announced is that the Christmas session (Dec. 27, 2004 – Jan. 3, 2005) will also feature these 24 Hour EDMs!

24 Hour Missions at AC, Too!

Besides the return of the 24 hour ASA EDM this summer, Aviation Challenge will also be holding special sessions.

The dates of the AC programs will be the same as the ASA 24 hour dates:

  • May 29 – June 5, 2004
  • July 3 – 10, 2004
  • August 7 – 14, 2004

The prices will also be the same: $1149 if you book before March 15, $1299 if you don’t, and $300 extra if you’ve already booked an Early Bird special and wish to change to this program.

Also, just like the extended ASA session, AC will run 8 days and will include the following additions to an already outstanding military/aviation program:

  • Added day of activities and mission training
  • Special speakers and advanced instruction
  • 24 hour Combat Scenario that begins at 9am on Friday and ends at 9am on Saturday
  • “Real World” Intelligence briefing, Satellite Imagery Intel, Combat Insertion of Flight crews, Alert Launch Missions, BDA missions, scripted SERE activity (This stuff all sounds quite cool).

These special Mach III sessions will only be open to those trainees that have completed a Mach I, Mach II or Mach III program.

As always, call 1-800-63-SPACE to register!

24 Hour EDMs this Summer!

(partially, at least)

Space Camp will have several special sessions this summer for ASA where the Extended Duration Mission will be 24 hours instead of the now shortened six hour EDM’s.

Many moons ago, the EDMs were 24 hours long. Later, they were shortened to 12 hours. When the program was changed to Advanced Space Academy from Space Academy Level II, they were shortened to 6 hour missions.

The offering of 24 hour EDM’s again is definitely a step in the right direction!

If you’re interested in going, the weeks will be:

  • May 29 – June 5
  • July 3 – July 10
  • August 7 – August 14

In addition to normal ASA sessions, for each of these weeks, there will be one team consisting of those that will be going on a 24 hour EDM. Camp will start on Saturday and go to the following Saturday. Graduation will be at 11am on Saturday. Mission Specialists flying in and out are asked not to fly out earlier than 3pm on Saturday (since the 24 hour EDM will have a SCUBA component for MS’s).

In addition to the 24 hour EDM, additional training and speakers will be provided.

To participate in one of these special sessions, you must previously have attended a Space Camp program.

With increased activity comes an increased cost. If you register for one of the 24 hour EDM sessions by March 15, it will cost $1149 (I believe the cost if you register after this date, provided there are any spots left, will be $1299).

If you previously signed up for a week under the $649 Early Bird Special and wish to change to one of these 24 hour EDM spots, it will cost an additional $300.

This is great! Hopefully, this will be available every year as an option.

Whatever it takes to get to Space Camp

(It was either that, or, “When Life Hands you Lemons…” You can decide which is the better title).

From Channel 19 in Huntsville comes a story of a kid who, despite being told “no” from his parents regarding sending him to camp, decided to go anyway.

Space Camp wasn’t a passing whim for Tyler. To pay for the trip, he set up a lemonade stand outside a neighborhood restaurant in his Maryland hometown.

Good work, Tyler!

USSRC to be Featured on USA

If you happen to tune into USA’s broadcast of Apollo 13 on February 19 (at 7pm), you’re in for a familiar sight.

An article in the Huntsville Times last week reported that USA Network was down in Huntsville to tape segments for the show “Ready for the Weekend Movie.”

The segments were filmed around the Space Center and Space Camp facilities where some of the cast of Apollo 13 went to train before shooting the movie (one week before I arrived to Camp one year, I might add).

So tune in and enjoy!

$649 Special is Almost Gone

Just a friendly reminder to reserve your session for Space Camp in 2004 before time runs out on Space Camp‘s amazing “Early Bird Special.”

Even if you’re not sure which week you want to go, register now and choose later! You can pick the session week you attend up to four weeks before you attend or by March 1, 2004 (whichever is sooner).

Hurry! You need to register before the New Year begins! For with the beginning of the New Year comes the end of this wonderfully fantastic deal!

Can this be Legal?

Paul Frank SC Logo Rip-Off T-ShirtI’ve recently come across a T-Shirt design that, unless in some way licensed from Space Camp, just can’t possibly be legal!

Granted, I am not a lawyer, but it just seems to look too much like the Space Camp logo to be a coincidence (3 stars and everything).

But, make of it what you will (or buy one yourself if you’re so inclined, I suppose).

If anyone has any additional info about the product’s legal status (or anything else of interest), please do send it my way.

Early Bird Special

Space Camp is currently running a fantastic promotion on the price of tuition!

If you book a camp session before the end of this year for a weeklong camp starting before August 21, 2004, you’ll only pay $649 for tuition!

This is good for Space Camp, Academy, and Aviation Challenge programs.

Further details can be found here.

And now I offer the following advice:

Parents: I’d say you’re out of excuses! Send your child(ren) now!

Kids: Go show your parents this offer now!

USSRC: I’d be really, really happy if you would make this good for Adult ASA as well! Think of it as good will towards the great amount of money I’ll no doubt be spending to send my future progeny to your fine camps!