General Information 2021

GENERAL INFORMATION 2021

IZMIR Izmir is widely known as the pearl of the Aegean. It is one of the oldest known settlements in history, and has a very long and rich culture reaching all the way back to the Early Bronze Age. Izmir has witnessed the passage of countless civilizations from Hittites to Ionians, Lydians to Persians, Pergamonians to Romans, and Byzantines to Ottomans. According to archaeological finds, Izmir as a city was first mentioned in historical texts around 3000 B.C. During ancient times Izmir was known as Smyrna and was initially built on the Tepekule site, known today as Bayraklı. With a mystical history spanning 5,000 years, Izmir proudly hosts a large number of extremely important architectural and archeological sites. One example, the Temple of Artemis located in the ancient city of Ephesus is listed among the seven wonders of the ancient world. Today, the larger Province of Izmir has an area of approximately 12,000 square km. Inside the city itself, the Metropolitan area includes approximately 7,300 square km and a population of about 4 million people, making it the third largest city and the second most industrialized city in Turkey. In Izmir there are three large public universities: Ege University, Dokuz Eylul University, and Izmir Institute of Technology – along with four private universities: Izmir University of Economics and Yasar University..

SPACE CAMP TURKEY The late, Kaya Tuncer, founder and original CEO of ESBAS (The Aegean Free Zone Development and Operating Company) was first inspired to open a space camp in Turkey after meeting and learning about space camps from fellow Turkish-American, Ismail Akbay. Mr.Akbay, originally from a village on the coast of the Sea of Marmara just outside of Bursa, Turkey - went on to become a rocket scientist in the 1960s and worked at NASA for 31 years. He was personally selected by the most famous rocket scientist of all time, Dr. Wernher von Braun to be one of the lead aerospace engineers working on the engines of the Saturn V Rocket that sent NASA Apollo Astronauts to the Moon.

Space Camp Turkey was opened on June 12, 2000 in the Aegean Free Zone, Izmir, Turkey as an ESBAŞ enterprise. Space Camp Turkey is licensed with the U.S. Space Camp Foundation, a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama. Space Camp Turkey is one of three Space Camps in the world; others are located in the U.S. and Canada. The goals of Space Camp Turkey are to excite and engage youngsters in the fields of science and technology, and to motivate and provide professional development for them through the use of interactive activities. Space Camp Turkey helps youngsters gain a sense of responsibility by being a part of a team, developing leadership skills and self-confidence. Problem solving, time management and teamwork are also developed as youngsters have hands-on training while learning space-related science and technology. Space Camp Turkey prepares youngsters between the ages of 8 and 15 to explore their potential as future engineers, scientists, and participants.

Space Camp Turkey also offers an adult program as a truly unique way to learn teamwork, effective communication, time management, decision-making and leadership skills through Corporate Space Academy Programs.

USA: GFTSE, 756 Chapala Drive, Pacific Palisades, California, U.S.A. 90272 Phone: +1 917-597-3916 Turkey: Space Camp Turkey /Aegean Free Zone 35410 Gaziemir, Izmir, Turkey Phone: +90 232 252-0749 Fax: +90 232 252-3600 http://www.gftse.org

LOCATION Space Camp Turkey is located inside the Aegean Free Zone (AFZ) in the Gaziemir district of Izmir. The AFZ was established in 1990. The Aegean Free Zone is a modern industrial park and the first export-processing zone in Turkey developed and operated by ESBAŞ, the private sector company. The site comprises of 550 acres and is located 4 km from the Izmir International airport and 12 km from the city center and Izmir Port. ESBAS has built the entire infrastructure and facilities in the Zone. The company also provides and maintains all telecommunications, utilities, and catering. The Zone is currently home to 175 Companies (74 are international). Total trade volume generated in 2017 was $4.3 billion USD, and the overall trade volume generated since the establishment of the Zone is $70 billion USD. One-third of all investment in the 18 free zones in Turkey is at the Aegean Free Zone. 20,300 people are currently employed in the AFZ. These figures show that the AFZ is the leading free zone in Turkey as it generates the most foreign revenue. Companies at AFZ mainly operate in the Electronics, automotive parts, machinery manufacturing and assembly, aerospace and defense industry, precision measuring devices, metal fasteners, kitchen furniture manufacturing, textiles, food processing and packaging sectors.

AIRPLANE TRAVEL Liquids in containers of 3 ounces or less may be carried in hand luggage. All liquid items in hand luggage should be placed in a separate, one-gallon see- through zip-lock bag; this bag of liquids should be placed in a separate bin at security checkpoints. All liquids more than 3 ounces need to be packed in check-in luggage; in your checked luggage – be sure to wrap all liquids in several layers of plastic to prevent leakage onto other items.

**IMPORTANT** NEW ELECTRONIC VISA INFORMATION There are new procedures for entering Turkey under a Tourist Electronic Visa (e-Visa) – they are currently phasing out the old procedure of going straight to a desk and getting the visa after landing at the airport. For a limited time after April 2014, there will be a period where there will be e-Visa Kiosks available at the airport after landing, before Passport Control (but these will be going away sometime soon). As of the time this is being written, this is the case and the cost at the kiosk upon arrival for an e-Visa is $30 USD. If you obtain the e-Visa online before arriving in Turkey however, the fee is $20 USD (recommended).

For up-to-date current information regarding Tourist Visas entering Turkey please visit the Turkish Consulate General of the United States website: https://tr.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen- services/

If you would like to obtain an Electronic Visa before entering Turkey (recommended) please visit the e-Visa website: https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/

U.S. AIRPORTS Be sure your luggage is checked all the way through to Izmir. You should be able to get boarding passes at your U.S. point of origin for the flight from Istanbul to Izmir (45 minute flight). (Be sure to verify this at the check-in counter.)

ARRIVAL IN ISTANBUL Once you’re inside the airport terminal, please proceed to the Passport Control and show them your Passport and e-Visa (please read previous section on New Electronic Visa Information). Remember - your luggage should be checked through to Izmir. After Passport Control in Istanbul, walk to the domestic terminal for your flight to Izmir. In Izmir, follow directions for transit passenger; you will be directed to the international terminal where you will pick up your luggage and go through customs.

ARRIVAL AT SPACE CAMP TURKEY Transportation will be provided from the Izmir airport to Space Camp Turkey.

ACCOMMODATIONS Teachers and chaperones will stay at Space Camp Turkey in connecting (sharing a bathroom), single or double rooms according to the availability at the camp. (There are electrical outlets in your rooms and bathrooms. **IMPORTANT** The electric voltage used in Turkey is 220V – different than the U.S.; you may need to use dual voltage appliances and/or plug convertor/adapters).

Male and female campers are housed on separate dormitory floors in the Space Camp Turkey building. Each sleeping bay has bunk beds for 24 campers.

COMPUTER – FAX – TELEPHONE You may access the Internet for your e-mail at the Space Camp Turkey computer laboratory. We have a wireless system available in certain areas of the Space Camp building in case you bring your own laptop.

All personal urgent messages and faxes can be directed to our fax and telephone numbers. Remember that Izmir, Turkey is on EET (Eastern European Time) GMT +2 – which translates into 7 Hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (New York City). For information regarding time, local weather, and calling procedures you can visit this useful website: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/turkey/izmir

Fax: +90 232 252 36 00

Tel: +90 232 252 35 00 E-mail addresses: Fatih Can Varal: [email protected] For emergencies ONLY, you may contact Distance Learning Expert Fatih Can Varal.Fatih’s cell phone: +90 545 550 15 00 USA: GFTSE, 756 Chapala Drive, Pacific Palisades, California, U.S.A. 90272 Phone: +1 917-597-3916 Turkey: Space Camp Turkey /Aegean Free Zone 35410 Gaziemir, Izmir, Turkey Phone: +90 232 252-0749 Fax: +90 232 252-3600 http://www.gftse.org

SPACE CAMP TURKEY ADDRESS If you need to mail anything to Space Camp, use Fed Ex, DHL, or UPS. The post office service is not reliable and packages will be held up in customs. Mailing address:

ESBAS / Space Camp Turkey c/o Tolga Yildirim ESBAS / Aegean Free Zone 35410 Gaziemir-Izmir TURKEY

LAUNDRY SERVICES Unfortunately there is no laundry service available for visitors here at Space Camp Turkey. However, there is a laundry service option for adults only (not campers) during your stay at Space Camp Turkey. Clothes to be washed will be sent to an outside laundry service at your own expense.

BANKS (ATM) AND EXCHANGE RATES The currency in Turkey is the Turkish lira. It is generally – approximately $1 = 7.0 TL (20 Turkish lira equals about $3.33 etc.) but the rates can fluctuate daily. So for accurate currency exchange rates please visit - http://www.bloomberg.com/quote/USDTRY:CUR

There are ATM machines for your 24-hour use inside the Aegean Free Zone (USD/TL). Travelers’ checks are not recommended. Most major credit cards are widely accepted in Turkey. If you wish to bring cash, it is helpful to bring U.S. Dollars in small denomination bills ($5, $10, or $20). Please be aware for use outside of Space Camp Turkey, U.S. Dollars are only accepted in major tourist or resort areas (for example Ephesus or Cesme). If you wish to go shopping in the city or at the mall across from the Aegean Free Zone, you will likely need to exchange your U.S. Dollars to Turkish Liras (There will be an opportunity for Campers to exchange money before going on any of the planned excursions). For adults, it is recommended to bring your American Bank Card/ATM Card and get Turkish Liras out of the ATM Machines (the banks automatically give you the current and best exchange rate in this way). **IMPORTANT** If you plan to use this option and use your Bank Card/ATM Card or Credit Card in Turkey – you must allow your bank to know that you will be using your card while you are travelling – you do not want to be stuck in Turkey with no access to money.

SHOPPING AND SPENDING MONEY All expenditures at Space Camp Turkey are totally optional. Campers receive ample food at all three meals and a 4:00 p.m. “fruit/snack” time everyday.

There are NO shopping, retail, or grocery stores at Space Camp Turkey or in the Aegean Free Zone.

For Campers and Chaperones During Program: Space Camp Turkey has vending machines for snacks and designated times for purchasing ice cream.

For Campers and Chaperones on Planned Excursions: There will be an opportunity to exchange money at the exchange office before arriving at destination (see above section for details).

For Chaperones: FOR ADULTS ONLY - There is a new Food Court Area inside the Aegean Free Zone located about 150 meters from Space Camp Turkey. The Food Court will be open 7:00am-11:00pm 7 Days a Week. Also there is an Optimum Outlet Mall across the street with many stores and fast-food/restaurant options.

MEDICAL Medical doctors are available during normal working hours at Space Camp Turkey (8am- 6pm). Also an emergency on-call doctor and our experienced nursing staff in our Space Camp Turkey Clinic are available 24 hours a day.

SECURITY AND SAFETY Space Camp Turkey is located in the Aegean Free Zone, a secure fenced-in 550-acre industrial park with 24-hour security. Space Camp simulators are built to the highest standards. All equipment is checked for safety daily and maintained by professional technicians. Camp management, supervisor staff, and general staff members are either on-site or on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week when camp is in session to ensure the campers’ safety. Security of personal items is the participant’s responsibility – Please do not bring items of high value to camp.

CLIMATE IN IZMIR The temperature during the summer in Izmir ranges from 80 to 95 degrees in the daytime and the evenings are usually a very pleasant high 70’s or low 80’s Space Camp Turkey’s building temperature is kept at 72 – 76 degrees. Here is the same link from above containing information about current weather conditions and other important information about Izmir time etc.: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/turkey/izmir

WEBSITES FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SPACE CAMP TURKEY

Space Camp Turkey: http://www.spacecampturkey.com

ESBAS – The Aegean Free Zone: http://www.esbas.com.tr/index.aspx

Global Friendship Through Space Education: http://www.gftse.org