SCIVIS: FAQs
- How does the SCIVIS Week compare to a regular week
at Space Camp?
- How can I get to SCIVIS?
- What about money? Are scholarships available?
- How do I register? When is the registration deadline?
- When is SCIVIS? What are the program start and graduation times?
- Is there help for making travel arrangements?
- What if I have to arrive early or I have to leave a day later?
- How do I get to SCIVIS from the airport? Is there a cost?
- How much personal spending money should I bring?
- What if I am on a special diet?
- I take special medicine, can I still come to SCIVIS?
- What will I need to pack for my journey into space?
- Will I need my travel cane?
- Parent Question: How can I contact my child while he/she is attending SCIVIS?
How
does the SCIVIS Week compare to a regular week at Space Camp?
This special week is coordinated by teachers of the visually impaired from all over the United States. Many adaptations are available this week that are not available during a normal week at Space Camp. Braille, large print, CCTV's, voice output on selected computers, visually impaired speakers, and support help from certified teachers of the visually impaired are just a few. Siblings or friends of visually impaired students are welcome to attend the same week. Discounted tuition is also available this week as a result of the group rate.
How
can I get to Space Camp?
Ask yourself these questions.
- Do I have an interest in math, science, and space science?
- Do I enjoy new social and learning experiences?
- Do I have independent skills in the areas of daily living and social skills?
If you answer YES! to these questions, read the rest of information on this page and get the SCIVIS: Forms you will need to register.
What
about money? Are Scholarships available?
Programs cost is $675.00 or $725 (depending on the program) for the room, programming, materials, etc. from Saturday lunch to Friday lunch. Transportation cost is not included. Money is available for partial scholarships.
Scholarships are available for our program only. Please go to SCIVIS: Scholarship Form Page for the SCI-VIS Scholarship form.
You will need to complete the scholarship application in its entirety and forward it along with a copy of your latest report card or transcript of grades and a letter of recommendation from your math or science teacher. Please note that there are 2 essay questions that must be completed.
Scholarships are available pending funding from granting organizations. Total amounts of scholarships are impossible to predict. Never assume scholarships are in the full amount of tuition (usually 25%-50%).
Deadline for scholarship application submission is June 1. Recipients will be notified prior to June 15.
All applications must be returned to Dan Oates
Dan Oates
P.O. Box 1034
Romney, WV 26757
Work (304) 822-4883
FAX (304) 822-4898
Cell 304-851-5680
PREFERRED METHOD: e-mail address - scivis@atlanticbb.net
We strongly encourage you to seek funding on a local level, if assistance is needed.
Many civic organizations are open to funding the Space Camp Experience for blind and visually impaired children. Promise your funding organization a program at their weekly meeting when you return. That will show your appreciation for their donation and may further your chances of returning for future programs. Once you are there you will want to go back.
How
do I register? What is the registration deadline?
All registration can be done by ground mail or email. Please go to SCIVIS: Forms Page to print the forms. Complete the forms and send them in. There is a limited number of spaces available for all programs. Each camper must first reserve a slot for the program of their choice. This can be done anytime after February 1. Your slot will be held until full payment is due August 11.
When
is Space Camp? When are program start times and graduation times?
Space Camp starts Saturday, September 20 and ends Thursday, September 25, 2008 in Huntsville, Alabama. Friday, September 26 is reserved for leaving Space Camp. Busses run as early as 4 AM.
| Program | Start/Registration Time | Graduation Time |
| Space Camp | Saturday 3:00 to 4:30 PM | Thursday 7 PM |
| Space Academy | Saturday 1:00 to 3:30 PM | Thursday 7 PM |
| Advanced Academy | Saturday 10:00 to 12:00 PM | Thursday 7 PM |
| All Aviation Challenge | Saturday Noon to 2:00 PM | Thursday 7 PM |
Airline reservations for leaving Space Camp should be booked anytime on Friday. Graduation and additional activities will run late on Thursday night; chaperones and students will want to attend. Meals are included from registration day lunch until Friday lunch. If parents are in the area they are invited to graduation. All medications need to be turned over to the nurse's station during registration and picked up after graduation. Students arriving or departing early or late should request boxed meals.
Is
there help for making travel arrangements?
If you need assistance with your air travel arrangements, call 1-800-476-2952 (Adventure Travel) between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. CST, Monday-Friday. Adventure Travel is the official travel agency for Space Camp.
We cannot make changes to arrangements made by another agency or airline.
When making your reservation through Adventure Travel, please have the following information available:
- Program session dates (SCI-VIS is Sept. 20-25, 2008)
- Program attending (SPACE CAMP, SPACE ACADEMY, etc.)
- City you will be flying from
- City you will be flying into (Huntsville, AL)
- Credit card number
Unaccompanied Minor (UM) service for children under 12. UM fees vary by airline and are subject to change without notice.
Due to recent FAA changes some airlines are not honoring unaccompanied minors. Remember that most children attending SCI-VIS will qualify as assisted travelers and can be ushered by airline personnel. There are age and gate restrictions. Please check with your airline or travel agents for details.
What
if I have to arrive early or I have to leave a day later?
If your travel schedule requires arrival the day prior to the Saturday start of SCIVIS or to depart a day later than Friday departure day, you will be required to pay a $45 fee for late departure/early arrival. This fee includes meals, lodging and full-time counselor. Upon arrival the student or group will be assigned a counselor, who will be an employee of the U. S. Space and Rocket Center. That counselor is responsible for those children until the program officially begins or the attendee leaves. Chaperones arriving early or departing late with students should remain with their team and be responsible for them.
- Graduation is planned for Thursday of SCIVIS week at approximately 7 PM
- Early Arrival should be scheduled no earlier than 2 p.m. on Friday, prior to the start of SCIVIS.
- All students are expected to depart from Space Camp on Friday. Flights can be scheduled at anytime that day.
How
do I get to Space Camp from the airport? Is there a cost?
The total cost for transportation from the airport to Space Camp and back is $15.00/student. Space Camp staff will be waiting at the airport. They will make sure bags are picked up. The Space Camp staff will also place the campers on the Space Camp bus to be transported to Habitat 1. The bus will also take the campers back to the airport and staff will ensure they get on the plane home. Chaperones attending Space Camp with groups of children will not be billed for this cost. This fee needs to be included as part of the registration fee.
How
much personal spending money should I bring?
Chaperones should be encouraged to keep money for the students if at all possible. Students traveling to Space Camp unaccompanied should bring a lock for their personal locker to keep money under lock and key. This is a good idea for all students. Space Camp staff members can not keep money for their team members.
Opportunities for attendees to spend personal money abound. There are 2 museum shops with many souvenirs including: space patches, buttons, rockets, books, models, posters, clothing, movies, etc., etc. There are also 2 snack bars and various juice, snack, and soft drink machines. Remember that all meals are provided.
Flight suits and other uniform packages are available at the Space & Rocket Center Gift Shops upon arrival or departure. Cost is approx. $75.00 for flight suits. Many other clothing accessories are available.
The amount of personal spending money sent with a Space Camp attendee is the decision of the parents or guardians.
What
if I am on a special diet?
We try to accommodate attendees with special dietary requirements. If the requirement exceeds our capabilities, attendees are welcome to bring their own food and/or pay the additional cost of meeting those needs.
Please do not send food to camp with your child unless it is to accommodate special dietary needs. Advance notice is required if your child will be bringing food for this reason. Please complete the "diet restrictions" section of the enclosed Health Form. If you need assistance call the Food Service, 256-721-7138.
I
take special medicine, can I still come
to Space Camp?
PLEASE COMPLETE & RETURN THE SCI-VIS HEALTH FORM!
- Your child cannot start program activities without a completed Health Form on file signed by both parent & physician! Do not send forms uncompleted!
- Any medical problems we need to be aware of must be noted.
- In accordance with American Camping Association guidelines, a physician's signature is mandatory for all camps.
- Prior to mailing the original, keep a copy of your completed Health Form and hand carry a copy to camp.
- Please bring A WEEKS worth of medication.
Nursing staff is on-site from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week while camp is in session. Our nurses are available to discuss any concerns you may have prior to camp. Nurses Station phone number: 256-721-7162
All prescription medications, vitamins and herbal products will be collected and administered by the nursing staff. They must be in their original container with the original label in order to be dispensed, and they are given as directed by the label on the bottle, not how attendee states he/she takes it. Any changes must be noted by the physician prescribing the medication. Our Nurses Station carries numerous over-the-counter medications so it is not necessary for attendees to bring these. Attendees are not permitted to keep any medications with them.
U.S. SPACE CAMP and AVIATION CHALLENGE are learning environments with a structured curriculum. Attendees should continue taking any medication that affects behavior or learning ability.
Additional note: the Space Camp & Aviation Challenge day may be longer than your child is used to, (7 AM - 10 PM) so please adjust directions on medications, if necessary.
What
will I need to pack for my journey into space?
Check the weather channel before packing clothing for SCI-VIS week at Space Camp. Sheets and blankets are provided.
- personal items (toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, shampoo, towel, soap, etc.) (NOTE: Aviation Challenge participants should bring a bath towel and a beach (or second) towel, as there are many water activities)
- clothes for 6 days (5 at space camp + extras - just in case)
- swim suit (goggles if needed for eye protection)
- Beach towel for water activities
- jacket (for fall weather)
- sleepwear
- necessary medications for a week (see Health Form for more information)
- low vision devices (if needed)
- personal technology (slate and stylus, Braille n' Speak, felt tip pen, etc.)
- travel canes (if needed) -
All students using canes must bring their cane and use it while attending camp.
The travel demands required of students attending Space Camp involve negotiation of a variety of environments. They must negotiate the airport, travel within the very large Space Camp campus as well as the dorm facility, and remain oriented on occasional community excursions. While campers typically travel as a group with counselors, chaperones, and other students (sighted guides) present, each camper is encouraged to be as independent as possible in these settings. Although every effort is made to provide a safe and barrier free environment, normal environmental hazards such as steps, stairs, poles, and obstacles exist in all of these locations. If your child uses a cane for any kind of travel, they will be required to travel with their cane at all times while attending Space Camp. This will ensure their safety as well as increase their independent experiences. - comfortable shoes (i.e. tennis shoes)
- Sunscreen (minimum 30SPF)
- Label everything with camper's first and last name.
- Combination or key padlock
- Pair of old tennis shoes for Aviation Challenge participants
Please do not bring portable music players, hand-held computer games, skateboards, roller blades, or other expensive items.
Hints from a teacher
- Dan's note: Even students flying unattended need to know the color of their suitcase or some distinctive marking on it. Parents and teachers make sure of that.
- Each of my students carried a backpack on the plane with identification
and an orange ribbon. In the back pack the students carried snacks, walk-man,
a few tapes, disposable camera, and other small projects to keep them busy.
Dan's note: Don't encourage the bringing of walk-mans, IPODs, mp3 players, to be used at Space Camp. On the plane and bus – OK – but not during the day.
Will
I need my Travel Cane at Space Camp?
All students using canes must bring their cane and use it while attending
camp.
The travel demands required of students attending Space Camp involve negotiation
of a variety of environments. They must negotiate the airport, travel within
the very large Space Camp campus as well as the dorm facility, and remain oriented
on occasional community excursions. While campers typically travel as a group
with counselors, chaperones, and other students (sighted guides) present, each
camper is encouraged to be as independent as possible in these settings. Although
every effort is made to provide a safe and barrier free environment, normal
environmental hazards such as steps, stairs, poles, and obstacles exist in
all of these locations. If your child uses a cane for any kind of travel, they
will be required to travel with their cane at all times while attending Space
Camp. This will ensure their safety as well as increase their independent experiences.
Parent Question:
How can I contact my child while he/she is attending Space Camp?
If your child is attending Space Camp, here are emergency numbers where you can get information to your child or your child's chaperone
- Camper Services - (256) 721-7185
- 24 Hour Operator (256) 837-3400
