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Home / Archives / Area youth have a blast at rocket camp
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Area youth have a blast at rocket camp |
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Archived Media Articles by SHERREE CASPER, The Journal
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Sunday, August 20, 2006 |
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 BERKELEY SPRINGS, West Virginia USA — NASA may not be launching many rockets these days because of budget cuts, but the same can’t be said for a group of young space enthusiasts in Morgan County.
Over the past week, at least 16 rocket launches a day have been soaring into the skies near the Morgan County Observatory and Greenwood Elementary.
 A rocket soars off the launch pad near the Morgan County Observatory and Greenwood Elementary Thursday afternoon. (Journal photo by Sherree Casper)
It’s all part of the fun and learning at the space-and science-oriented camp which is now in its second year.
Although the camp wound up last week, Boles feels certain the young rocketeers have bettered themselves by participating.
“It helps build their self esteem,” said Boles, who instructs the week-long camp where some youngsters appear more eager to continue working on their model rockets then grabbing a ride home.
A film on Robert Goddard - widely thought of as the inventor of the modern-day rocket - is shown during the camp. Boles said Goddard inspires kids to reach for the stars and make their dreams a reality.
Campers appeared focused on readying their rockets for launch last Thursday afternoon. Putting the finishing touches on the lightweight models, youngsters double-checked to see if all systems were go for a launch.
No green light when the model was affixed to the launch pad outside meant an immediate no-go.
And safety teams were assigned under Boles’ watchful eye before any rocket lifted off.
“Five, four, three, two, one, blastoff,” could be heard time and again outside the observatory which is located in southern Morgan County off Winchester Grade Road.
“It’s awesome,” said Zane Mokhiber.
Together with his younger brother, Nico, the 12-year-old Berkeley Springs youth worked diligently on their yellow and red “Wizard” rocket in the observatory’s classroom.
Nicknamed the “Rocket Boys,” the two brothers appeared eager to step outside the classroom and have a practical exercise in the art of rocket launching.
“I’ve learned a lot about building rockets and space,” said Zane, who is eager to return next year.
“I think it’s a lot of fun,” he said of the camp.
His interest in a future career in space and science has been sparked by attending the camp, but Zane said he’s not sure if he’ll don an astronaut suit or keep his feet firmly on the ground.
Robbie Mann, who is also attending the camp for a second year, appeared fascinated with building and launching the model rockets.
“I have enjoyed both building the rockets and launching them and occasionally seeing them blow up,” Mann said with a grin.
Taking turns outside on the field between the observatory and elementary school, the campers competed to see which one could land their rocket closest to a prescribed target area.
While many of the model rockets appeared to make a perfect liftoff, some of the recovery teams (consisting of two campers) found themselves chasing after projectiles which floated down to earth far from their landing target area.
“Builds character,” Boles said of those who may have missed the mark but can try again another day.
Walker Williams came out on top Thursday afternoon when his model rocket nicknamed “Big Bertha” performed flawlessly.
The 13-year-old Berkeley Springs teen walked away with the top prize for coming closest to the landing his rocket near the target area.
“I like it, it’s fun,” Williams said of the rocket launches.
Boles noted that the week-long camp is jam-packed with activities, everything from building and launching rockets to observing sun spots and the moon via a telescope.
“The camp is half astronomy and half building and launching rockets,” he said.
This is the second week of the camp which began at the beginning of August.
Several children from Winchester, Va., were bused in for a similar camp held at the Morgan County Observatory in mid-June.
“It’s whatever we can fit in,” Boles said of the planned activities which often run over the allotted time scheduled due to the kids’ enthusiasm.
Besides building and launching rockets, the camp offers educational classes on the construction of a sundial, balloon demonstrations, science experiments, charting the various summer constellations, movies about space and astronomy as well as games.
Boles, who spearheaded a grassroots movement to have an observatory built in Morgan County, also oversees the use of the giant telescope that is housed there. Those youths attending the astronomy/rocketry camp were given a chance to observe sun spots and the moon during the day using an 8-inch Celestron telescope.
“I would like to expand the camp next year to three weeks,” he said.
Noting that the unique camp has a lot to offer to young minds eager to learn.
For more information on a future astronomy/rocket camp or the Morgan County Observatory call 258-1013. |
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