SHAF announces first NASA Astro Camp, blasting off June 2

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The Southern Heritage Air Foundation (SHAF) has announced a new collaboration with NASA Astro Camp, with its first camp scheduled for Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Vicksburg–Tallulah Regional Airport.

The one-day camp will offer 30 spots for participants ages 8 to 11 and will run from 8:15 a.m. to noon. The registration fee is $35 per child and includes a camp T-shirt and certificate of completion.

“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,” said SHAF Founder and Chairman Dan Fordice.

The goal of the camp is to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and astronauts by engaging children in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through hands-on activities.

“NASA Astro Camp is a fantastic opportunity,” said Col. (Ret.) Jeff Eckstein, a SHAF camp lead. “It’s another way to introduce STEM to our elementary school-age children. This is how we grow engineers and scientists.”

Camp activities include:

• Designing a mission patch in assigned groups
• Building and testing stomp rockets (biological and physical sciences)
• Creating a tornado in a bottle (earth science)
• Constructing a miniature electric fan (robotics)
• Certificate of achievement ceremony

Evangelyn Andrews, 12, of Monroe, La., said she is looking forward to serving as a camp counselor.

“I’m excited to be part of expanding the minds of the future,” she said.

The camp will be held at the Vicksburg–Tallulah Regional Airport, which serves Warren County, Miss., and Madison Parish, La. Space is limited to 30 participants.

To register or sponsor a camper or activity, visit SHAF’s NASA Astro Camp.