SPACE CAMP

Each year in July, the Foundation organizes a science competition for children ages 9-11 or 12-14. Entrants are required to create a project or prepare a submission on an assigned topic or theme. The competition calls for logic and common sense, as well as imagination.

Ten winners are selected from the entrants to travel to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama to attend a 6-day Space Camp or Space Academy program.

The winners receive round-trip transportation via private coach, accommodations, registration, activities, materials, fees, meals and prizes courtesy of the Frank Ski Kids Foundation.

Space Camp uses space to excite and educate children ages 9-11 in the fields of math, science and technology, Teamwork, self-confidence and communication will be achieved through state-of-the-art simulations, missions, rocket building and robotics.

Space Academy is an increased intensity program of astronaut and mission training and academics. Simulated missions to a space station and crew rotation highlight the week.

Space Camp 2008 – The Frank Ski Kids Foundation partnered with the Ron Clark Academy for the 2008 Space Camp Experience.

Click Here to see an interview with Fox 5's Mark Hayes with Frank Ski and Ron Clark.

This year the science competition was held at the Ron Clark Academy and organized by the Frank Ski Kids Foundation. The 13 winners, comprised of Ron Clark Academy students, were selected from the entrants and awarded the chance to spend time learning about space and aviation.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with such an amazing organization and are pleased with the synergy we have created together. The group of kids from the academy is exactly what we have been looking for, and the foundation is excited to expose them to a great learning experience.” commented Frank Ski, co-host of the top rated V103’s Frank and Wanda in the morning show. The Ron Clark Academy, which was set up to serve fifth to eighth grade students from low-wealth areas,launched a contest on space and aviation on June 12, 2008.

Entrants were asked to write a paper or prepare a power point presentation detailing the aspects of space science, themes including: rockets, the solar system and favorite astronaut. In addition all of the entrants built similar themed models: UFOs, the Hubble Space Telescope, rockets etc. The competition called for logic and common sense, as well as imagination, and was judged on creativity, oratorical delivery and content.

Winners were announced on V103 on the Frank and Wanda in the morning show on Tuesday, June 17, 2008.

"When Frank first approached me about future partnerships, I knew instantly our options would be endless. We're both committed to exposing kids to their futures. Frank's doing it through his foundation, while we're doing it through the Academy. We are so thankful to have an opportunity, like sending some of our students to Space Camp, because in doing so we're positioning our students for future success and at the same time instilling a life-long love of learning," stated Ron Clark, founder of the Ron Clark Academy.

The excursion at Space Camp used space to excite and educate children ages 9-11 in the fields of math, science and technology. Teamwork, self-confidence and communication were achieved through state-of-the-art simulation, missions, rocket building and robotics. Space Academy is and increased intensity program of astronaut and mission training and academics. Simulated missions to a space station and crew rotation highlighted the week. The winners received round-trip transportation via private coach, accommodations, registration, activities, materials, fees, meals and prizes courtesy of the Frank Ski Kids Foundation.

About The Frank Ski Kids Foundation

The Frank Ski Kids Foundation embraces youth and their value by showing examples and providing hands-on opportunities to promote optimal growth, self-expression, ingenuity, achievement and learning vital to their ambitions. Through the efforts of the Foundation and the help of charitable contributors, observable differences in communities have been made. Our efforts to date have helped many children, but the needs of our children remain immense. We must continue with unfaltering determination and dedication.

About the Ron Clark Academy

The Ron Clark Academy is a private, middle school serving students from across the metro Atlanta area. Based in southeast Atlanta, the Academy is changing education around the world with its energetic, hands-on teaching style that inspires teachers to replicate the Academy’s innovative philosophy for success in their own classrooms.

This year’s Space Camp was sponsored by Legacy Communities and Kroger.

For more information on the Ron Clark academy visit, www.ronclarkacademy.com