Space Mountain a learning experience for Girl Scouts

The Brookville troop took part in Disney’s Y.E.S. program.

Girl Scouts from Brookville Troop 30529 (above and below) visit Disney World where they learned how roller coasters work in a special program put on by Disney. Contributed photos

Contributed Girl Scouts from Brookville Troop 30529 (above and below) visit Disney World where they learned how roller coasters work in a special program put on by Disney. Contributed photos

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By Mark Katz, Staff Writer 1:48 PM Friday, July 29, 2011

By Marc Katz

Staff Writer

BROOKVILLE — Asked to guess how fast they were traveling on the popular Disney World Space Mountain roller coaster, most of the riders from Brookville’s Girl Scout Troop 30529 guessed high.

Then the lights came on, and the seventh-graders rode the coaster again.

They were surprised at how slowly they were moving.

“In the dark, some of them thought they were moving at maybe 60 mph,” said Jenny Riley, the troop leader who was with the group when it visited Walt Disney World Resort in early June and took part in the Disney Youth Education Series (Y.E.S.) program.

“It’s a completely different ride in the light. You can see the hills. The coaster only goes about 23 mph (at its fastest). In the dark, it seemed like we were whizzing.”

The Y.E.S. program offers discount tickets to groups as long as they participate in one of the academic programs, which the Brookville Scout troop was eager to do.

“The one we picked had to do with physics and roller coasters,” Riley said. “We met on Sunday morning before the park opened for 2½-to-3 hours, talking about roller coasters, physics and motion.

“We also did something on robotics. They use their rides as a fun learning tool.”

Riley’s troop spent five days at the various Disney theme parks at the resort. The 11 girls camped in tents while the seven adults stayed in an RV.

“They learned something,” Riley said. “We want the girls to have fun. At the same time, you want them to go along with goals.”

Among those were honing leadership skills, learning how to work in a group and building relationships. The Girl Scout pledge is to build courage, confidence and character.

Sometimes, that’s even on Space Mountain.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2157 or mkatz@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Cycling a satisfying pursuit, in the mountains or on courses

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