There is no charge for this presentation. We can provide either a half-hour presentation that is devoted to the history of rocket engines used for defense or space programs or a one-hour presentation that also includes the description of the type of contamination of concern at the facility and how it has been removed. Many people are unaware of this site or the work that was performed there that contributed to America's progress in space.
The presentations include photographs of the rocket engines and the test facilities. I was hired to make the engine presentations because I worked at that facility starting in 1953 and have been in the engineering development units on many of the engines built by Rocketdyne (at Canoga Park). The information on the clean-up work would be provided by a member of the Boeing Environmental Health and Safety Department. There have been significant achievements in preserving endangered animal and plant species in this large 2,850 acre facility.
Although the presentation on the rocket development would be of interest to all young people, we would also like to have meetings in which the parents and grown-up friends could attend as well to inform them of the issues involved. For example, they might like to know more of the facts about the true extent of contamination reported in the newspaper and their opportunities to convert the facility to a park and National Historical Site if the public chose to support that. Boeing offers Saturday bus tours of the facility which are enjoyable. These would be explained and offered.
This request currently has no time limit. Even if there are no current openings available at this time, that is, the meetings are already booked for the near-term, I would like to stay in touch with any Boy Scout units that might have openings in the future.
If you would like to follow up on this offer, please call or email me with a point of contact. I have to provide Boeing with information on my point of contact so that I can gather additional necessary information on the location of the facility where the presentation will be made, the official in charge, possible audio/visual equipment, etc.
During each presentation, we would extend an offer to anyone in the audience to participate in the free 3-hour bus tours on Saturdays. The tour stops at some of the historic test sites, and visitors can see the equipment and results of the clean-up that is restoring the land and vegetation to its original form. The morning tours leave at 9:00 am; the afternoon tours leave at 1:00 pm. You have to arrive a little early. You board the bus at the test facility at the top of the Santa Susana mountains. The facility is at the top of Woolsey Canyon Road, just off Valley Circle. There may only be one tour on the scheduled day, but currently two are planned for each Saturday.
The currently scheduled tour days (but more may be added) are:
- June 11
- July 16
- October 8
- November 12
In advance of that, if anyone is interested they can call (818) 466-8163 to request a reservation on one of the tours. The number goes to a voice mail where you can leave your message. Please provide this information:
- Your name and your friend's or family member names, if someone is coming with you.
- Your phone number where they can call back to confirm your reservation (I suggest you give a desk phone, and home phone, and cell phone)
- Your preferred tour time (morning or afternoon) If either will work, state that. If only one time is possible for you, state that.
- Your email address.
- Tell them you are a US citizen (not kidding).
Thanks,
Bill Vietinghoff
willvee@verizon.net
(805) 495-7865 home
(805) 358-7762 cell
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