Chase Hutcheson has big plans for himself.

He wants to be a pilot and dreams of being able to fly, but it doesn’t matter to him if it’s in the clouds or floating in space.

To become a pilot would be a dream come true for the 12-year-old, who said he is soaking up everything he can in science class and always makes A-pluses on his tests in the subject.

Hutcheson said he wanted to attend Rose State College’s Kids Camp for something to do, but more importantly, to help him achieve his dream.

Last week, Hutcheson joined 23 other youth who think science and aerospace is cool. The students attended a week-long camp offered as part of Rose State’s Kids Camp.

On the final day, July 19, the students shot off the rockets they made during the camp in the open field between Traub Elementary and Rose State College. Also, on hand were instructors and other college staff to witness each student’s launch.

When Hutcheson shot his rocket off using a handheld control, everyone counted down “5-4-3-2-1” in preparation for his “U.S.S. Lockhart” to go flying into the air. Then, as soon as the rocket was airborne, the crowd squinted their eyes to see how high it would go before a parachute deployed and sent the rocket soaring back to the ground.

One-by-one the rockets were shot off, bringing to an end the camp made possible by a $5,000 grant from the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission.

RSC Continuing Education and Community Services Director Joey Devault said the grant enabled 24 youngsters to attend at no cost.

Devault said the STEM program, which stands for Science Engineering Technology and Math, is the “big push” in Oklahoma right now for career tech up to higher education students. He said Rose State’s aerospace camp draws students from as far away as Texas or Missouri. Often, families planning a vacation in the Oklahoma City-metro will find out about the camp and register their children.

This year’s camp included an overview of aerospace and a tour of the Science Museum in Oklahoma City. It was offered for students in grades sixth through ninth.

The class is led by John Keilty, a retired Navy commander at Tinker Air Force Base, and Magi Whitaker, who both teach at Mount St. Mary High School.

Devault said he tries to bring in the best instructors possible for Kids College. In fact, he said several of his teachers have won Teacher of the Year honors in their school districts.

“They are all fantastic teachers,” he said.

Kids College goes above and beyond the normal instruction students are used to in school. Devault said the summer program features teachers who do not “teach to the tests” but instead teach the way they would love to be able to in public school.

Devault received good news at the end of this year’s event, announcing that the college will receive a $10,000 grant for next year’s aerospace camp.

The news means that the 2013 camp will last two weeks instead of one, and more field trips will be planned. The field trips include a visit to Tinker Air Force Base so students can use flight simulators, and the Stafford Air and Space Museum in Weatherford.

Kids College, which completed its 18^th year at Rose State, is designed for children in grades first through ninth. The program offers more than 130 classes, and had an enrollment of almost 1,700 children during the six-week period.