Dress codes are such bullshit, y'all

Heffalump

VarunaTT said:

Me too.  Y'all, I just got back from my mom's oncology appointment and there were no surprises, but it was draining.  Seeing this has reminded me of all the good in the world. 

Also, when I said the thing about "all this bullshit about how we need more girls in STEM" obvs. I didn't mean the girls in STEM part was bullshit, just the part about saying it and then spending half a PDF regulating what they can look like while doing so.  Because of course what they're doing is less important than what they look like while they're doing it.

sparklepants41 said:

scrunchythief said:

ETA:  Can we all write letters to this camp?

QFT!!

To the bolded: I was thinking the same thing. 

Me too.  I have been thinking, on and off, about where to start with this.  I think yes, directly with Space Camp.  And then if they blow me off, I think escalating to social media is appropriate.  But I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and hope that they never really thought about the message they're sending, and that when they realize it, they will make changes.  I'm hopeful.

*Barbie*

would a burkini fit the modesty standards, or would she still need to wear shorts over it?

madamerwin

Just wanted to jump in here and say that I grew up going to a Christian summer camp (like, bible study at night and singing hymns around the fire-type camp), and the dress code was WAY less strict. Two-piece swimsuits and spaghetti strap tanks were permitted. Granted this was 20+ years ago, and I think dress codes have become more strict over time, but seriously? Space Camp??

And I'm sorry, SHORTS over a swimsuit? WTF?

*Barbie*

come to think of it, the burkini is  2 pieces, so that would be out. maybe you can get her a nice wetsuit.

sparklepants41

*Barbie* said:

come to think of it, the burkini is  2 pieces, so that would be out. maybe you can get her a nice wetsuit.

Not to mention you'd still be able to see her face, hands, and feet. INAPPROPRIATE!!! She will be a distraction!!!!

/sarcasm

MNNEBride

*Barbie* said:

come to think of it, the burkini is  2 pieces, so that would be out. maybe you can get her a nice wetsuit.

But a wetsuit conforms to the shape of the body - definitely too much temptation for the men-folk!

*Barbie*

new idea - get the wetsuit a few sizes too big, and put her inside one of those giant (Zorbs?) inflatable orbs - that way even if the boys are tempted, they still won't be able to actually touch her. 

sparklepants41

*Barbie* said:

new idea - get the wetsuit a few sizes too big, and put her inside one of those giant (Zorbs?) inflatable orbs - that way even if the boys are tempted, they still won't be able to actually touch her. 

Yes, but that orb is see-through. The boys will still be able to see her body.

How about a nice decorated cardboard box?

banana468

So these people haven't heard of rash guard tops??

I'd be complaining too.  Or just ignore it and if confronted claim you thought there was no way they would be so seriously discriminatory.

ShesSoCold

banana468 said:

So these people haven't heard of rash guard tops??

I'd be complaining too.  Or just ignore it and if confronted claim you thought there was no way they would be so seriously discriminatory.

Oooh I like this suggestion. Then if they say something, you could go back with "well your use of things like 'calling cards' led me to believe your rules were grossly outdated and should be ignored until updated.

OurWildKingdom

ShesSoCold said:

banana468 said:

So these people haven't heard of rash guard tops??

I'd be complaining too.  Or just ignore it and if confronted claim you thought there was no way they would be so seriously discriminatory.

Oooh I like this suggestion. Then if they say something, you could go back with "well your use of things like 'calling cards' led me to believe your rules were grossly outdated and should be ignored until updated.

SITB

My thoughts exactly.

LadyCatherineDB

I know I'm a few days late, but as someone in the physics world, I would absolutely recommend bringing this to someone's attention at Space Camp. I recommend starting with the Public Relations Manager listed on the space camp website. If that doesn't get the response you desire, you might consider sending this information to the American Physical Society and the American Astronomical Society (specifically the Committee of the Status of Women in Astronomy) and maybe NASA. 

Heffalump

LadyCatherineDB said:

I know I'm a few days late, but as someone in the physics world, I would absolutely recommend bringing this to someone's attention at Space Camp. I recommend starting with the Public Relations Manager listed on the space camp website. If that doesn't get the response you desire, you might consider sending this information to the American Physical Society and the American Astronomical Society (specifically the Committee of the Status of Women in Astronomy) and maybe NASA. 

Thanks for posting this!  I agree, I think that's a great place to start.  They just got home last night, so I'm on it.

On the bright side, Mr. Heff said it was a total non-issue at camp, so I continue to be hopeful that they just haven't updated their documentation since ca. 1985.  In practice, it sounds like everything was very positive.  And they had a great time. 

They got to meet engineers from the Saturn V rocket and the lunar rover, and I think Mr. Heff was even happier than Wooz.  He asked Wooz if she wanted to be an astronaut after this weekend, but she told him she's sticking with veterinarian for now.