The Southern Heritage Air Foundation (SHAF) has announced its collaboration with NASA ASTRO CAMP®.  

“Our very first camp will take place on Monday, June 2, 2025, and we are offering 30 spaces for ages eight through 11,” SHAF President Patty Mekus said. “It will be a fun-filled challenging morning.”

SHAF founder and Chairman Dan Fordice said he is excited about the partnership.

“This collaboration with NASA opens up a great opportunity for SHAF to expand its educational series and provide STEM opportunities that will challenge and engage local and regional youth,” Fordice said.

 SHAF officials said the goal of NASA ASTRO CAMP® is to give camp participants the chance to be involved and experience science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to inspire future astronauts and engineers to learn about space with NASA activities.

“NASA ASTRO CAMP® is a fantastic opportunity. It is another STEM introduction to our elementary school age children in the area”, SHAF NASA ASTRO CAMP® Leads and Col. (Ret’d) Jeff Eckstein said. “This is how we grow engineers and scientists.”  

Camp arrival is scheduled for 8 – 8:15 a.m., with camp conclusion and certificates of completion presented at noon.The Camp fee is $35 per participant. A t-shirt is included with registration.

Activities include:

• Design A Mission Patch with the camper’s  assigned group with each member having a specific task;
• Build and Test Your Own Stomp Rocket (Biological & Physical Science Activity)
• Structure and Create a Tornado in a Bottle (Earth Science)
• Build Your Own Miniature Electric Fan (Robotics)
• Certificate of Achievements Awarded

Evangelyn Andrews, age 12, of Monroe, Louisiana said she is looking forward to being a part of the camp.

“I am looking forward to serving as a camp counselor for the NASA ASTRO CAMP® at SHAF, and being a part of expanding the minds of the future,” she said.

There are only 30 spots available for ages 8-11.Online registration is available at https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/AstroCamp.

Those interested in sponsoring a participant, one of the activities or the refreshments for the camp, may also visit https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/AstroCamp.