Dear grade 8 parents,
Our fall trip this year for grade 8 is to the Euro Space Center in Belgium. This is a change from the
Italy trip that we have done for several years in connection with the social studies curriculum. The
facilities at Space Camp offer our students learning activities that no classroom could possibly provide.
Some of these activities include: building and launching rockets as they experimentally explore the
laws of motion and propulsion, astronaut training on equipment that simulates micro-gravity and its
effects on the human body, training for and flying a simulated mission with a ‘real’ mission control and
cockpit simulator. The program offered by the Euro Space Center is normally a 6-day program. The
Center has trimmed the program as much as possible to fit the time we have available.
Departure – Schadenmühleplatz train station, Monday June 2, 07:30 am for 08:00 am departure*
*Students will need a healthy packed lunch and maybe some breakfast to eat on the bus
Return – Schadenmühleplatz, Friday June 6, approx. 15:30pm
We will be travelling by bus. There are a number of reasons for this. Train travel via Brussels or
Luxembourg involves too many connections, and in the end takes longer than travel by bus. Flights
(charter or commercial) to Brussels or Luxembourg are exorbitantly expensive. Furthermore, we need
buses for some of our evening activities.
Daily schedule: From 9am – 4:30pm students will be engaged in learning activities and in the evening
we have arranged recreational activities that include outdoor games, ten-pin bowling and movie night
(a showing of Apollo 13).
All costs for meals and activities during the week are included. Students will only need pocket money
for snacks and drinks at the Space Center. The Space Center is able to cater for students with dietary
restrictions. There is a 24hour medical facility literally 3 minutes down the road.
Students and chaperones will be housed in accommodation on site at the Euro Space center. Boys and
girls will be in separate rooms of 8, and (as much as possible) we will arrange for students to room
with friends. Rooms have en-suite shower facilities. Students will need to bring a bottom sheet,
sleeping bag, pillow and pillowcase. Please find a detailed packing list below.
We are looking forward to this exciting adventure!
Thank you,
Wolfgang Soeldner for the grade 8 team.
Packing List for Space Camp 2014
Travel documents* for leaving and re-entering Switzerland. These will be collected on Sunday for
safe keeping.
EU / Swiss – original passport or ID card
Non-EU –original passport and Swiss residence permit
*There are no internal border checks between France, Luxembourg and Belgium. We have never been
stopped at the Swiss border crossing, but if we are stopped it is a legal requirement for travelers to have
these documents.
Money for snacks, gifts 20 chf and 25 – 75 euro
All meals are included but if students want to buy snacks at our rest stops or at Space Camp cafeteria
then 20chf and 25 euro will be enough. There is a gift shop at the Space Center with some interesting
space related games and gifts. Students might also want to buy a souvenir when we are in Brussels. If
students want to make any of these kinds of purchases we recommend 75 euro.
Personal medicines marked with name, prescribed dosage (be specific) and prescribing doctor’s name
and telephone number. Please let us know if you need us to supervise student’s medication.
One small or medium size suitcase and daypack
• _camera, charger, plug adapter
• _rainproof jacket with hood / umbrella
• _ZIS bathing suit, swim towel
• _Shoes – one pair indoor shoes, one pair outdoor shoes (no flip flops)
• _Toiletries (deodorant, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, bath towel)
• _pajamas
• _5 pairs of socks and underwear
• _Shorts or sweatpants for day activities (no skirts, no jeans)
• _long pants or jeans for evenings
• _shirts (5 T-shirts, 2 ‘nice’ shirts for dinners)
• _2 pullovers or sweaters
• _Large plastic bag for dirty laundry
• _Hairdryer (girls should arrange to share a hair dryer – check that the plug is suitable for Belgium.
Similarly, boys are welcome to bring a hairdryer if necessary.)
• _Bottom sheet, pillow case and sleeping bag
We do ask that students DO NOT BRING any electronic equipment (games) except their cell
phone.