Gone are the days when children in elite schools toured places in India like Kanyakumari or Kashmir. Foreign trips have been the in thing for quite some time now. Initially it was to places in south east Asia like Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand that schools took their children. Then schools in Delhi started sending kids to the US. NASA (USA) educational camp soon became a major attraction. Mumbai too picked up the fad. Every year, a number of students from the city now attend this camp. Three years ago, the number was less then 50, this year the figure has touched a 1,000, according tour operators in Mumbai.
Where did the trend begin?
"Elite schools in Delhi started the trend of taking children to NASA Space Camp. In the last two-three years, elite schools in Mumbai too are doing it, Anil Garg, chairman, School Bus Owners Association and director, Tour India Tours and Travels, Mumbai, said.
Why NASA Space Camp?
Alpesh Jethwa, director, Ashish Holidays, said: "It is true NASA Space Camp is now the major attraction. Students are curious about spacecraft, rockets, etc. I give complimentary medical insurance to students I take on trip to this camp.
"Every spot we take students have a history behind it, and children get to learn a lot," said. Shahrukh Shroff, director, Adventure Tours and Travels.
How many students go each year?
Two years ago, only 100 or so went. There are almost a 1,000 students ready to go this year," Anil Garg said.
In 2012, I took less then 50 student. This year, 125 students have already booked, said Alpesh Jethwa.
"Last year we took a record 418 students from 21 different schools for the trip. The number will surely go up this year," said Shahrukh Shroff.
How much does a tour cost?
A trip to NASA Space Camp may cost a student Rs 1.6 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh. Normally, a return ticket costs Rs 1 lakh; for visa, a student will have to shell out Rs 10,000 to 15,000, and medical insurance would cost Rs1,200 to Rs 4,000.
How long do the trips last?
They are of 8, 10 or 12-day duration. And the cost of the trip varies according to the duration.
Do teachers accompany students?
Of course. A batch of every 15 students will be accompanied by a teacher.
Who pays for them?
The brochure of a tour operator says for 15 students, they will take a teacher for free. Some of the schools claimed the management paid for the teachers accompanying their students.
Which is the best time to go?
"We usually take children during September, October and November. But not in December, as Naigara Falls freezes and there is nothing to see there. US winter will be too tough for our children to bear, said Alpesh Jethwa.
Pricipalspeak
"We have been taking students on foreign trip since seven years. Earlier, we use to go for students exchange programmes. Then students started going to Washington DC. Now it's NASA Space Camp. Visiting Washing DC is beneficial as students would earn credit points for admission whenever they apply to foreign universities. The school management bears the expense of accompanying teachers. Students get to learn many things on such foreign trips. We take a 'no objection certificate' from parents before the trip. It's a routine procedure," said Alice Vaz, principal, Ryan International School, Kharghar.
What is the NASA Space Camp?
It's at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. They have spring and summer camps called Camp Kennedy Space Center, for children. The address is Camp KSC, c/o DNC Parks and Resorts at KSC, Inc. Mail Code: DNPS, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899.
What kind of programmes are these?
The US Space Camp, Space Academy and Aviation Challenge are private programmes in Alabama for children, adults and educators. For further information, contact US Space Camp/Space Academy and Aviation Challenge, US Space & Rocket Center, One Tranquility Base, Huntsville, Alabama 35807, 1 800-63-SPACE or (205) 837-3400.
Is there an Adult Astronaut Camp?
DNC Parks and Resorts at Kennedy Space Center, the contractor who runs Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, has started a programme called 'Astronaut Training Experience', which is a one-day extensive 'astronaut training' programme for teens over 14 and adults.
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