Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has introduced three new, in-depth camps for high school students, domestic and international, who want to be a part of the exciting world of space exploration.

The new camps feature two concentrations: Mission Robotics and Near Space Investigation. Mission Robotics offers a three-day or five-day experience and Near Space Investigation is a five-day program.

Camp Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Mission Robotics and Near Space Investigation offer high-quality Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) opportunities for students using the technology rich environment of Kennedy Space Center as a tool to immerse students in a scientific experience as part of an engineering team. Students not only learn about science and technology, but also communication and collaboration, essential skills for future success.

Students participating in the Camp KSC Mission Robotics programs learn about the use of robots in space, the science and math behind various developmental aspects of robots, and how technology and engineering combine to create more advanced robots than ever before. Students divide into teams to learn the design, construction and programming of their robot, which will be challenged with various point-earning tasks.

Camp KSC Near Space Investigation allows participants to design and launch their own satellite payload up to a height of 100,000 feet into the atmosphere, while making scientific observations. The students work in teams developing “habitats” to be tested on the balloon flight and operate as part of a mission control team by tracking the balloon's flight, collecting downlinked data, and analyzing it.

Both camps feature:

• Medals awarded to winning teams
• Certificates presented to all participants
• A meet and greet opportunity with a veteran NASA astronaut
• An exclusive Kennedy Space Center Tour, including Space Shuttle AtlantisSM, the new $100-million educational attraction that tells the incredible story of NASA's 30-year Space Shuttle Program through a host of multimedia presentations and more than 60 interactive exhibits and high-tech simulators
• Expert lectures by NASA engineers
• 3D IMAX® shows and the Shuttle Launch Experience simulator ride

In addition, camp participants will experience the new Angry Birds™ Space Encounter, which opened at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in March. As the first comprehensive, interactive Angry Birds attraction in the United States designed for people of all ages, it incorporates concepts of human space exploration and physics. The attraction was developed in partnership with Rovio Entertainment, which had worked with NASA on the popular Angry Birds Space game.

Both camps are designed for high school students, grades 9-12, ages 14-17, and run from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Instructors are specially trained educators. The three-day Mission Robotics camp is $427.50 plus tax per student, and the five-day Mission Robotics camp or five-day Near Space Investigation camp is $640 plus tax per student.

For more information or to book a reservation, call 877-313-2610.

About Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex brings to life the epic story of the U.S. space program, offering a full day or more of fun and educational activities, including the Kennedy Space Center Tour featuring the Saturn V Center with an actual Saturn V moon rocket, the new Angry Birds™ Space Encounter, Shuttle Launch Experience, 3D IMAX® space films, Astronaut Encounter,Exploration Space: Explorers Wanted and many other interactive exhibits. The new $100 million home for Space Shuttle AtlantisSM opened June 29, 2013. Admission also includes the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame®, featuring historic spacecraft and the world's largest collection of personal astronaut memorabilia, which opens daily at noon and closing times vary by season. Only 45 minutes from Orlando, Fla., Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opens daily at 9 a.m. with closing times varying by season.  Admission is $50 + tax for adults and $40 + tax for children ages 3-11. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers annual passes starting at $75 + tax for adults and $60 + tax for children ages 3-11. For more information, call 877-313-2610 or visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is operated by Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts at KSC, Inc., a division of Delaware North Companies, one of the world's leading hospitality and food service providers. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is not funded through tax dollars or appropriated funds. The revenue generated by ticket, food and merchandise sales support the operation, maintenance and development of the Visitor Complex, including the new Space Shuttle Atlantis.

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Media Contacts:

Andrea Farmer, 321-449-4318, afarmer@dncinc.com

Nancy Glasgow, 407-375-2433, nancy@bitner.com