The Netherlands came to International Space Camp 2008 not in what might be thought of as traditional dress for the Dutch (namely clothes that look good when worn near windmills), but rather dressed in attire better suited to the modern Dutch soccer-hooligan.

Go Orange Crush!

First up from the International Space Camp opening ceremony international presentations is Australia.

The Ausses decided to help the rest of the world decode their “English,” and that was mighty kind of them!

This past Saturday opened International Space Camp 2008!

Here I present to you the opening procession.

A few things to keep in mind:

1) Not only are international students and teachers invited to International Space Camp, but the United States Teachers of the Year from all states and territories come as well, including the overall teacher of the year.

2) It is customary for the international students and teachers to dress up in native attire (and thus the Canadians come in jeans and a hockey sweater), the teachers from all of the states dress up so as to represent some facet of their state.

2) The teacher of the year this year was Michael Geisen.

3) Michael Geisen led the group. He’s the first one in.

Well done indeed, sir!

ISC kicked off this morning for America’s Teachers of the Year as well as the international teachers with a presentation by Christa McAuliffe’s mother, Grace Corrigan.

Grace is an absolutely wonderful lady who continually does her daughter’s memory proud by speaking to groups around the country about her daughter and what she strived for as both a teacher and an astronaut.

It was absolutely wonderful to hear her speak.  Grace was also kind enough to autograph for the teachers copies of one of her books, A Journal for Christa: Christa McAuliffe, Teacher in Space.

But that was just in the morning.  Later that day, during lunch, the teachers were able to hear five-time shuttle astronaut Robert “Hoot” Gibson speak about both his early days flying jets off of aircraft carriers in the Navy as well as each of his missions in space.

Hoot is a real upstanding guy, personable and easy going.  It’s really great how often he comes down to Space Camp to speak to both kids and adults alike.

And all of this excitement at International Space Camp 2008 before the opening ceremony!

It will no doubt be quite a week for everyone involved!

After last weekend’s events, there’s no rest of the possibly weary staff of the Space Center. They worked really hard to make sure last weekend’s festivities were fantastic and they’re no doubt working just as hard to make sure that the 2008 International Space Camp opening ceremony goes off without a hitch this Saturday, July 26 at 5pm.

The International Space Camp Opening Ceremony has to be, by far, one of my most favorite things.

Last year, the opening ceremony was held in the Educator Training Facility. I imagine it will either be there again this year or, perhaps more likely, in the Davidson Center. If it’s the latter, I can’t imagine them not letting the public attend as there’s more than enough room to accommodate everyone that would show. If it isn’t open to the public, sneak in (just kidding).

Worry not though, just like last year, I plan to be on hand to get as much video as possible. And, just like last year, I’ll be posting my favorite presentations right here!