OUT OF THIS WORLD

Spacecamp not just for astronauts-to-be, but also for kids who want to have a fun time and discover the need for math and science.

You're part of a space shuttle mission. You train the way every astronaut trains. You can even eat the same foods the astronauts eat.

Jenni Waicukauski, a junior at Bloomington High School South, did that and plenty more. She and more than 140,000 other kids from around the world have attended programs by the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala., since 1982.

"When I was little, I always wanted to be an astronaut," she explained.

"(Space Camp) is basically to inform young people that may possibly be interested in aviation or space as a career to learn more about it and find out whether that's what they really want to do with their life," she added.

Ed Buckbee, director of the U.S. Space Camp, says each five-day, four-night session "gives young men and women a reason for studying science and math," he said.

"It presents what you can do in the field of space exploration if you have the proper science and math foundation. It also motivates you to do better in school, to concentrate on your studies, and to excel in the fields of science and math," he added.

U.S. Space Camp is open to children in Grades 4 through 6 and is the first of three space programs offered by the center. The center also has U.S. Space Academy I for kids in Grades 7-9, and U.S. Space Academy II for Grades 10-12. Also available are aviation programs as well as programs for adults, families and educators.

Jenni has attended four sessions - Space Camp, Space Academy I and Aviation Challenge basic and intermediate. During Space Camp, Jenni experienced life as an astronaut. "I learned about the space program and about what the astronauts do during the mission, before the mission, and training for the mission. We actually trained like we were going to be on the mission," she explained.

"It's just like being in the Air Force. You do physical training, and you fly simulators of F14s. We learned all about the planes, engines, everything you need to survive. That's basically like being in the military."

Trainees are divided into groups of 12. According to Buckbee, the average day at Space Camp begins about 6:30 a.m. with exercise, then breakfast. The first day is spent in astronaut training, which involves instruction on the requirements for astronauts as well as testing of some equipment.

Day 2 is devoted to rocketry and guidance control, and the campers start building a model rocket, Buckbee said. On Day 3, the campers learn about zero and do some training in water to simulate space, he explained. They also begin practicing their mission, which is the final goal of the week.

Day 4 is spent touring the complex and seeing some space- related movies, then more practice on their mission, which they will perform on Day 5. Astronauts may come to lecture, too. After the mission on the last day, the kids attend graduation ceremonies and receive their wings.

All activities lead up to the mission, Jenni said. Early on "you learn what position you're going to be doing on the mission, because the mission is what you're really working towards. Everybody has a position like a commander, pilot and a mission specialist."

Jenni was a pilot. "I didn't want to be commander 'cause it sounded boring. The pilot got to do everything."

According to Jenni, Space Camp lets kids experience the everyday life of an astronaut, including training in zero-gravity, building a space structure under water, constructing a satellite in a sterile environment, sleeping in cramped quarters and eating pre-packaged meals, which Jenni said were "gross."

"The freeze-dried ice cream is OK, the strawberries are really good and peaches are good, but when they give you actual food like stew or something, I wouldn't eat it. It looked gross."

One high point of the program for Jenni was having lunch with Alan Shepard Jr., who on May 15, 1961, became the first American in space.

The space and aviation programs have raised Jenni's interest in flying. "I would love to fly for the Air Force or the Navy, but I don't really think I'll be able to do that because it's pretty much necessary to have perfect vision, and I don't. . . . I've also thought about working on planes or engineering parts for the shuttle."

What about her plans to be an astronaut?

"If they send a space station up, then I'd like to take part in setting (it) up out in space, but I wouldn't want to live on it, she said.

"I can't stay away from Earth that long."

EDITED BY: Katharine Hill, 16 REPORTED BY: Erica Bellamy, 11; Bonney Hartley, 11; Ted Mosley, 12; Whitney Slaughter, 13

Space Camp

Who can attend: Kids ages 10-18 who have at least C-plus average in school and a teacher's recommendation. It's first-come, first-served after you meet those requirements. There's a program for parents and children who wants to come together.

Cost: The cost for one week of Space Camp ranges from $475 to $600, depending on the time of year you choose. Sessions are offered year- round, with summer being the most expensive. The camp offers a limited scholarship program.

Where: Huntsville, Ala., and Titusville, Fla., as well as programs in Canada, Italy, Japan and Belgium.

For information: To find out more about the camp, other programs or scholarship money, call (800) 63-SPACE.