Space camp scholarships will go to Aboriginal youth

Did you know that Aboriginal Canadian or Native American students between the ages of nine and 11 years old could win free tuition to Space Camp just by sending in a short 30 second video and telling why they want to go?

Did you know that if you won one of 12 scholarships for Aboriginal or Native American students you will be invited to be an extra on a major box office family-oriented feature film about Space Camp?

Due to overwhelming interest and response to the Proffer Family Explorer scholarship awards, the date to select and announce the winners has been extended. However, the scholarships are for this summer 2012, so don’t wait to have your submission considered. You can submit an application by 30 second video taken from a phone, digital camera, your computer, or other recording device. For more information on how to apply go to http://www.spacecamp.com/explorers/user/register
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center and Space Camp have teamed with esteemed media production company Meteor 17 and its founder, music and media producer Spencer Proffer, to establish 25 Proffer Family Explorer Scholarships for children between the ages of 9 and 11, with 12 going specifically to Native American tribes. For the past year, Proffer has been working with Native American author, businessman and lawyer, Calvin Helin, who will be coordinating the awards to Native American children through a high level international committee.
The awards will be announced in Huntsville, Alabama by USSRC CEO, Dr. Deborah Barnhart and Proffer in the near future.

Meteor 17 and Proffer are currently teamed with Space Camp on a number of media and strategic enterprises, including production and marketing of a family-oriented feature film. You can visit Space Camp’s Facebook page to learn more about the announcement and how to qualify.

The union between Space Camp and the company dates back to 1997 when CEO Proffer’s younger son, Morgan, began his nine-year journey as a camper. He was the recipient of two Right Stuff Awards (outstanding camper overall) and his love of aviation eventually led him to Space Camp’s sister camp, Aviation Challenge where he earned the coveted Top Gun Award 15 times, even besting his fellow counselors in their own Top Gun tournament.

Meteor 17 and Spencer Proffer have kept a close relationship with Space Camp and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, watching the facility become one of the most respected camps on the planet for young minds to develop team building and friendship skills while having fun and learning about one of the most fascinating platforms of all - outer space. At the same time as Proffer had been building M17, he experienced first-hand the paternal pride of watching his son win awards while learning great leadership and life skills and looks forward to other families sharing that experience.

“From the time my son Morgan began his nine years as a Space Camper and counselor, I sensed that its ethos about fraternity, teamwork and dream fulfillment would be a solid foundation and enriching life experience as well as a lot of fun”, stated Proffer. “To be able to ‘pay it forward’ and give other kids a chance to build the life skills that my son has achieved is something that means a lot to my wife Judy, our Company and myself. Even though I am European born, Morgan and his brother Sterling have a little Native American in them on their mother’s side. It is an honor for us to acknowledge their roots by extending a select number of scholarships to Native children.”

Meteor 17 is a highly-regarded media production and strategy company with a long history of connecting with audiences (Gods & Monsters, Adventures of Pinocchio, Robbie Robertson: Going Home, Happily Ever After, Broadway hit It Ain’tNothin’ But The Blues are but a few).

Their productions and projects have garnered Academy, Golden Globe, Emmy, Grammy and Tony awards and nominations. As music producer, the Company’s CEO Proffer has sold millions of gold and platinum records, having worked with artists such as Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, The Little River Band, B.B. King, as well as all the Quiet Riot albums and videos. Dating back to the foundations origins of Meteor 17, Proffer’s love of extraterrestrial explorations were clearly evidenced years ago in the Billy Thorpe mega classic rock hit,“Children Of The Sun” space album and laser planetarium shows, which Proffer produced.

“Working closely with Spencer has been an absolute joy, knowing that his heart as well as enormous talent is next to us and the goals we have set out to accomplish with kids of all ages for decades. Our mission is to coach pioneers of the next generation of discovery. We challenge our trainees to master the educational building blocks of innovation, applying leadership, technology and teamwork to become tomorrow’s flagships of progress. Not just in space travel, but all areas of technical advancement. These Proffer Explorer Scholarships and movie are just the beginning of our working with Spencer who is also helping us establish Space Camp in other countries of the world”, says Dr. Deborah Barnhart, CEO of the US Space and Rocket Center.

Proffer’s philanthropy dates back to his college days at UCLA. where, for two years, he helped maintain a therapeutic rehabilitation program utilizing the power of music in a weekly program for veterans.

In 2005, the Company and Proffer, along with music manager Doc McGhee and Quincy Jones produced a star-studded multi-media event which featured Beyonce (and Destiny’s Child), KISS, Hootie & The Blowfish, Ted Nugent and Godsmack, hosted by Cedric The Entertainer, for 50,000 Marines and their families at Camp Pendleton in California. They have recently produced and arranged a theme song for the Special Olympics currently being recorded by worldwide artists.