Day six: graduation

The students said good-bye to space camp and the friends they made here.  Our "Von Lions" team received an award for the students' spirit and collaborations during the week.  Each student also received commendations during graduation.  After the ceremony, we had a little time to visit the gift shop again, and explore the outdoor Rocket Park then decided to use up some energy by swimming before heading back home to our families.  It was a wonderful week filled with laughter and learning.  Thanks for all your support.

-JAM

Day five: Rocket launch, simulations and more missions

"We set up our four rockets for blast off"
-Fauntaye
"We did see the rockets take off, [but] some our ours headed towards the woods and struck trees."
-Rain

"We built and fired rockets, but they hit trees so we can't get them back :("
-Noah



". . .  prepare[d for our] airplane battle, [but] I didn't survive in video game. . . . nighttime we [did a] military [escape & evasion mission] and I'm Point 2.  We took risks, and it was pretty fun, but it hurt when I crawled on rocks" -Rain

 "I played [flight simulator] challenge to my own team, [but I lost] the game.  [At] night, it is cold outside, but it is fun to try [escape and evasion].  [We needed to be] very sneaky and tag one person.  I don't like to put black soil on my face, ewww!  I love that game/activity [while we were doing it]. - Fauntaye



"I rode the [1/6th chair that simulates] gravity on the moon.  It is so very cool.  Also, I rode the MAT; it [spins fast and] I can't control myself.  G-Force is so awesome to ride!
-Fauntaye


"multi-axis trainer and space walking [were] so much fun!  [The] ride Space shot. . . it was so awesome!" -Rain 


"I like to ride in space suit [that simulates a] walk on moon.  It's so weird to feel light . . . . . it made my face red =D"
 -Noah

Day four: water filtering experiment & aviation challenge

"I made [a] filter for cleaning water.  I made the  [the dirty wast water] very clear.  [It was] fun to figure out.  I did accomplish the mission . . .[and was] very proud of my achieve[ment]." -Rain

"We experimented [filtering] fake pee to become the clear water.  My team came in 2nd [place]."

-Fauntaye

"I played a [simuation] game "airplane." It's kinda hard, but fun."

-Noah.

"I practice[d using] the airplane [ simulator] for dogfight.  It was hard.  . I crashed many times!"

-Rain

"I crashed on the ground 7 or 8 times and 1 time crashed into the water."

Fauntaye

A few more videos/pictures from a second camera.

Scuba's great!

Heading down down down!!! (I'm not sure how to rotate the photo- SORRY!!)

High Ropes is all about cooperation:  you need to trust your teammates on belay.

Climbing?  Climb on!!!

It's a long way up!!!

Noah makes the jump!

Rain makes the jump!

Sorry. . . I'm not sure what happened with the video of Fauntay's jump (may be on iPad-- check out the photo stream)

Sweet . . . feels like flying!!!!

Day three : high ropes, scuba, and "apple-nauts"

"Today I climbed the 32 ft high [Pamper Pole] and jumped off.  It's pretty scary [at the] top of it!

Then I went to learn SCUBA diving.  [The pressure]  hurt your ears, but it [was] fun!"

- Rainy

"Today I climbed the pole, about 32 ft tall, I almost [managed to] stand on top of pole, [when] my body started to shake and I can't breathe, then let go of the pole.  I felt like [whew! I'm] still alive!

I can't go to scuba but I can swim [in] the water for 15 minutes.  Before that, we got out of the water because the weather had lightening and hard rain."

-Fauntaye

"I had an amazing time! I [was] really nervous to climb on the log with many metal handles.  I did stand on the top of the log and jumped and touched their rope.  Then I feel so glad and brave!!!

I [swam in the] 24 feet deep water tank. It didn't go well for me because I didn't blow my nose out [to equalize the pressure], so I [just swam at the surface of the] pool.  It's so cool to breathe [using SCUBA gear and an air] tank. SO COOL!!!"

-Noah

"We did an experiment on apples, test on apples in water and light. . . . We covered [ the apple using] these things: cloth, tape, bag and foil.  Then after 10 minutes we put use apples with [ various "space suits"]'in the water and under lights in the box.  After 20 minutes, we all took these apples out of the box and water, we measured them and test [for water. Light, and heat protection]."

Fauntaye

"[We designed a] space suit for an apple; [we had to] imagine the apple is a human [with] human needs for warmth and dryness and no harm."
-Noah

Day two: low ropes and rocket construction

"It was so fun to play a game.  It help us to work together and [develop] teamwork.  . .  . [there was one] bucket with three balls and another bucket that was empty.. .  .[we had to] move the balls into the bucket [without touching them].   It's kinda hard." -Noah

"It the habitat we [were given] the most challenging mission.  The bucket supped to be toxic poison, and you can't touch it.  So it pretty hard." - Rain

I played with my team [by pretending we were] heading to an island [and could only use] three woods on the stone [as bridges]. . . . Failed a few times, the success!"-Fauntaye


"Last night we built a rocket!!!!  It's [a] pieced of cake!" -Noah

". . . [we learned] different methods [for] the rocket that is handmade."
-Rain

"I made a rocket and [was] really interested [by how] to make it."
Fauntaye

Weather camp?

We always prepare for various weather conditions, but didn't anticipate quite as many watches and warnings as we've been having!  The staff is on high alert and quick to respond to any potential hazard; we've sheltered three times so far in response to weather warnings.  Our students have been great though all the craziness. . . Even though some were pulled from their shower and in the middle of preparing for bed they responded quickly and with few complaints.  This is actually a Red Cross emergency shelter -- probably one of the most safe places to be in the area.  Just wanted to assure everyone that we are all okay and looking forward to a great tomorrow!!!  Will update with details of today's events in the morning. -JAM