DANBURY, Conn.—This past fall, in a special giving-back initiative, Eschenbach Optik of America, Inc. sponsored two visually impaired students to attend the Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students (SCIVIS). The SCIVIS camp was held in September 2022 at the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and it was a 5-day/night educational adventure for those students who had the opportunity to attend. Throughout the week, students were immersed in astronaut training techniques using equipment adapted from NASA’s actual astronaut program.

They learned about space hardware, experienced space flight simulations such as a 1/6th Gravity Chair, and conducted a spaceflight mission, all while learning about aerospace career opportunities. They even got to speak live with a NASA astronaut on the International Space Station, according to an announcement from Eschenbach.
 
Eschenbach’s sponsored students not only had their tuition paid in full, but they also received a care package that included a video magnifier they could use at camp and keep for themselves afterward. The scholarship winners were 8th grader Joey P. from Cheyenne, Wyoming and 10th grader Samuel F. from Tiffin, Ohio. Each attended the camp with a chaperone from their school and completed the space camp mission successfully!.
 
Upon completion of the camp, the chaperones and parents reflected upon how transformational the experience was for the students. Samuel F.’s parent said, “This sponsorship may be a fun week of camp for some, but please remember when you pick the right student, it’s a dream—and life changing.”
 
Joey P.’s parent said, “As a parent, I cannot fully express my gratitude to the staff, chaperones, and guest speakers who helped shift the narrative from limitations to expectations. The sky is no longer the limit and by attending SCIVIS my son was able to internalize that message.”
 
Due to the impact the space camp has on visually impaired students, Eschenbach is pleased to announce that it has decided to again sponsor two students in 2023. Information about Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students can be found here. 
 
Eschenbach is a world leader in the manufacture and distribution of high quality magnification and vision-enhancing products that improve the safety, productivity, independence and quality of life of its customers. The company also offers eyecare and vision rehab professionals numerous diagnostic assortment options as well as training and consultative support, all of which ensure success for their users who need magnification solutions.