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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT:
CARTER SKIFIC IS OUT OF THIS WORLD COOL!
3-2-1- BLASTOFF! St. Luke’s 4th grader, Carter Skific, is passionate about space exploration and attended Space Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama this summer. He says, “I love space and would like to become an astronaut one day.”
At first, Carter was nervous about going to camp because he did not know anyone, but as soon as he arrived his first impression was, “WOW,” and he became very excited. When asked what was the most surprising part of space camp, he said, “EVERYthing - in a good way!”
Students get to participate in simulator missions (some were used in real astronaut training!) Each student is assigned a different role and the goal is to launch the shuttle, meet up with the space station, and return home. However, during the mission, there are problems and the kids have to figure out how to work through them. Carter’s #1 favorite part of camp was his assigned mission: a rocket launch to pick up other astronauts staying on the moon. Carter was in mission control and had to ensure the life support was working correctly and monitor waste levels. That sounds stellar!
Carter slept in a bunk bed in a room called a "habitat," but prefers to call it a “dormitory” because that's what it actually is. The “dormitory” was called Orion. The campers were divided into groups; Carter’s group was called “Lupus.” They did something different every day. One day he walked in a harness that imitated the gravity of walking on the moon. Another day, he sat in a special chair that mimicked a spaceship out of control and had so much fun!
While Carter considers space camp out of this world, the food wasn’t as space-tacular. He would give the food a 6 out of 10. He says, “Some of the meals weren’t the best in the world, but some were good.”
If a student wants to attend space camp, Carter advises them not to spend all their snack money in the gift shop on the second day like he did. He explains, “You should wait until your parents pick you up and then go to the gift shop and ask them to buy things for you.” We totally agree with you, Carter!
Carter had such a fantastic experience that after a trip around the sun, he wants to return to the Robotics Camp or Space Camp again.
We are over the moon excited about Carter’s space camp experience and hope he always reaches for the stars!
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