Weather Research Centertm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday 28 April 1999

HOUSTON - Forecasters say this summer could be one of its busiest - for Weather Camp'99, hosted by the Weather Research Center. Nearly 100 students participated in the day camp sessions last year and an equal or greater number is expected for the upcoming summer. Education Program Coordinator, Dorri Breher, says "With such a large amount of campers, that means extra work for a small group like ours. That is why we are asking for volunteers to assist meteorologists with the 16 sessions."

Weather Camp was started in 1992 by the non-profit educational and research group. It is meant as an opportunity for children already interested in weather, math and science to learn more from meteorologists. Each day-camp session runs from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and covers different topics ranging from basic weather elements to severe weather and hurricanes. Introductory sessions for ages 7-11 and advanced sessions for ages 12-17 are listed below.

Duties of the volunteer counselors will include:

Showing children around the Center - bathrooms, kitchen, etc.

Setting up for the next session - preparing handouts and weather kits

Setting/Cleaning up experiments and demonstrations

Assisting meteorologists in group discussions

Cleaning up at the end of the day

Everyone will be required to arrive by 9:30 am and will be able to leave by 4:00pm. Each counselor will receive a staff Tee-shirt and plenty of information on weather and weather safety. Lunch and drinks are not provided.

Volunteers must be 14 or older. Those ages 14-17 will assist with the introductory sessions; those 18 and up will assist with introductory and advanced sessions. You can sign up to help on just one day, a particular set of sessions, or for the entire summer. Session dates follow. The deadline for registering as a volunteer is May 15.

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More information on Weather Camp can be obtained by calling Weather Research Center at (713) 529-3076 or on the Internet at http://www.wxresearch.com/camp99.html

Fees for Weather Camp are $45 per session and each camper will receive weather hand-outs and a weather kit to take home.