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Flying high at space camp By STEPHEN FURNESS WALLOPS -- Rockets flying through the air, advanced aerial spy technology, and human controlled robots -- all in a day's work. The Virginia Space Flight Academy, located at Wallops, specializes in instructing middle- and high-school students in how each facet of space technology works. Though it isn't exactly the simulated astronaut-in-training space camp, the Virginia Space Flight Academy gives youth with imagination a chance to learn about the many government operations that take place on Wallops. "We're not space camp in Huntsville -- we don't try to be," said Bob Marshall, executive director for the Virginia Space Flight Academy, of the Alabama-based offering. "But for every astronaut, there are a thousand technicians on the ground. So why not show kids some realistic career opportunities?" The roots of the academy go back to 1998, when the Eastern Shore Regional Partnership decided to begin an educational outreach program. Talks with NASA, Navy and NOAA employees yielded strong, positive results, and the academy began shortly afterward. The finely tuned, week-long "camp" is a synthesis of classroom and lab time, plus field trips to various parts of Wallops' NASA, Navy and NOAA facilities. Students are given range to perform many educational experiments, such as assembling and launching their own model rockets. Also, through advanced computer and infrared technology, they may construct robots of their own design and program them to do just about anything. "It's unique, to say the least," Marshall said. "It's a week of classroom fun (with) educational activities supplemented with field trips to operational sites." During the week-long camp, field trips to the various sites often include visits to the NASA machine shop, where sounding rockets launched on Wallops Island are fabricated. A trip to the aircraft hanger is also on their itinerary, where the students have seen everything from a Air Force U2 spy plane to Marine "Hell's Angels" planes. They may also visit the aircraft control tower and talk with aircraft controllers about their job and background experience. Other days include a visit to Wallops Island, where the students are given access to the AEGIS Combat Systems Center. Often, after a full tour of the large building, students are able to sit at the training consoles and conduct a simulated search-and-destroy scenario. However, because the government operations are not timed on a day-by-day schedule, different groups of students are likely to have different experiences. Student participants hail from all over the United States. Marshall said that in the past two years, the academy has had students from Washington, Idaho, Maine, Florida, Nevada and Texas. However, there is a noticeable absence of local students participating in the academy. "We definitely get more (students) from off the Eastern Shore," Marshall said. "It's very disappointing that more local students don't take advantage of it. We've had 150 students this summer, and I think we've had only seven or eight from the Delmarva Peninsula." To attract students from all over the country, the academy places advertisements inside major metropolitan newspapers, such as the Washington Post and the New York Post. Also its Web site attracts many students. Amanda James, 15, of Newport News, returned this year for a second time at the academy. "Last year I was online looking for some camps," James said. "I saw the academy, saw that it was really close to where I live. So I told my parents about it and they sent me. I had a lot of fun (last year), so I had to come back again." With high aspirations to join the Air Force, James said her dream is to become an astronaut. The academy's science and computer labs, along with the classroom area, are located near the NASA Wallops Flight Facility main gate. Owned by the Marine Science Consortium, the academy was given the building for five years, rent-free, under the condition that it was renovated. Now it is a two-story lab with 14 computers and a classroom that can seat 28 students. Meals are provided by the Marine Science Consortium and the Navy's Eagle's Nest Galley. Another facet of the academy is to promote tourism for the Eastern Shore. Parents of students are encouraged to visit and stay on Chincoteague. A Boy Scout troop from the Bronx, NY., consisting of 56 people, visited the academy and then spent a weekend on Chincoteague. This Friday will mark the end of the academy this year, but Marshall will be ready soon to begin planning for next year. Eventually, Marshall would like to see the academy open to more off-season ventures. With a group of at least 14 kids, a program can be specifically designed. Originally from Temperanceville, Marshall is a former bank vice president and branch manager. He took an early retirement, but was soon approached by a friend to apply for the academy's executive director position. With help from his wife, Anne, and a weekly batch of volunteers, the academy is considered a very entertaining and educational way for students from all over the United States to spend a week. Marshall cites the help from many people in NASA, NOAA and the Navy. Each branch is very interested in educated young people, he said. "One of the main objectives is reaching students, particularly of this age group," he said. "From the folks in the control tower to the Eagle's Nest Galley, they roll out the welcome carpet for our kids. Without them, this camp wouldn't exist."
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