This summer, our son Gabriel will be attending his third Space Camp program at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. In his first year, he participated in the Space Camp program, followed by the Space Academy program the next year. This time, he’s taking on a new adventure with the Aviation Challenge. According to Gabriel, Space Camp and Space Academy were quite similar, with only minor differences and a different mission to complete during the week. He’s eager to explore a new experience with Aviation Challenge and can’t wait to see what it has in store!

There is generally a lack of detailed information outside of the FAQs, which have thankfully improved since Gabe’s first year attending. I hope some of the additional tips and information outlined here help you feel fully prepared if your child is considering or planning to attend Space Camp at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

Additionally, you may find it helpful to join the Facebook group: Space Camp Parents. Usually there are also groups set up for the specific “expeditions,” which is how they categorize their weeks. These are helpful as parents share helpful tips or things that their kids tell them throughout the week, such as if there is a bug going around or activities get cancelled.

Registration

The registration process is straightforward. You simply pick the program and the week that you want to join, create an account on their website and walk through the steps for payment. You can pay the full tuition upfront of choose to pay a $100 non-refundable fee + 50% of the camp price. The remaining balance is due 60 days prior to camp, or you can pay it off at your convenience.

Things to know:

• Transportation: You can add on transportation to and from the Huntsville airport after registration. We have done this previously as we registered before booking flights and it wasn’t an issue after the fact.
• Medicine: Our son takes an inhaler twice daily. They provide you with a medical form to get signed by their doctor and this must be submitted on the dashboard no later than 2 months from their camp arrival. They designate times each day to visit the medical area usually before and after the day’s activities. Gabe said the evening time can be inconvenient as the shower lines get very long while he waits to take his inhaler. These medications must be in original containers with legible labeling including expiration date.
• Buddy Requests: Gabe has been going with his friends from elementary school each year. The two boys have since moved to different states, so he enjoys meeting up with them there and rooming together. Only one parent needs to submit the buddy request, which sends an email to the other parents. They simply log in to their dashboard to accept it. This process has worked smoothly every time.

Packing Tips

The packing list they provide you with is very helpful and covers the basics. With the help of our friends, I’ve collected a few other helpful tips over the years:

• Clothes: I have previously used gallon Ziploc bags to coordinate outfits for the week. Each day’s bag includes a shirt, shorts/pants, socks, underwear and PJs. My son has never been much into caring about what he wears so I’ve done this to help him stay organized. I also encourage him to put his used socks into the Ziploc bags to help with odor control (he’s a teenager now so the smells are real)!
• Extra Toiletries: I also include deodorant, face wash and dude wipes in his toiletry bag. As I mentioned earlier, shower lines can get long so I do believe there are times where the boys give up on their evening showers.
• Towel Hooks: These towel hooks are super handy to hang on the bunk beds. This was a tip from a friend that I was thankful for- they work perfectly for their towels to be able to dry during the week.
• Clothing Pack: If you need some extra space in your bag, they offer a clothing pack which provides 5 space camp shirts. They can be worn throughout the week. Anything you pre-purchase will be given to them on their first day.
• Bedding: We send a sleeping bag instead of sheet set and a pillow from home. Gabe said the sleeping bag has been easier for him to deal with setting up his bunk and was sufficient for his needs.
• Games: You can send cards or small games for any off time they have to play with friends or if there is a rainy day and activities get cancelled.
• Greenlight Card: The first year, we preloaded money onto his wristband for the gift shop or any other necessary purchases. We found the second year sending him with his Greenlight card worked better. That way we didn’t have to worry with not putting too little or too much on the wristband. They have a gift shop on site too so they can snag some souvenirs or gifts for family members.

Getting There

Since we live in Texas, we’ve tried a few different methods of getting him to Huntsville. In his first year, he and his friend were thrilled to fly together using American Airlines’ Unaccompanied Minor program. Since we travel frequently, we felt confident that Gabriel was familiar with the process. Plus, knowing that airline attendants would be with the boys every step of the way, even with a connection in Dallas, gave us peace of mind. We were also able to stay with them right up until they boarded the plane, making the experience smooth and reassuring for everyone.

Gabe had his cell phone with him, so he kept me updated throughout the journey. I also registered him for the transportation service from Huntsville Airport to the Space Camp facility, where staff were ready and waiting for him as soon as he landed. They assisted with retrieving his checked luggage and checking him into the program, making the transition seamless. If you choose this option, I highly recommend placing Airtag trackers in their bags for added peace of mind.

For his second year, I flew with him to Huntsville, and my husband accompanied him on the way back. Since we’ve both had the chance to attend graduation and tour the facility, we’ll be using the unaccompanied minor program again this year. It’s a convenient and reliable option that has worked well for us!

Of course, there are several other travel options to consider. You can fly in with your camper and either rent a car or use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft to take them to check-in. This allows you to personally see them off and get a feel for the facility before their adventure begins.

Another option is to drive to Huntsville and stay in a nearby hotel for the week. This is a great choice if you’d like to explore the area while your child is at camp. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center itself is a fascinating place to visit, and Huntsville offers a variety of attractions, including the Huntsville Botanical Garden, Monte Sano State Park, and the vibrant downtown area filled with great dining and shopping. This way, you can make a mini vacation out of the trip while still being nearby if needed.

What to Expect During the Week

Communication with your Camper

Your child is allowed to bring a cellphone to camp, but its use is restricted to designated times, typically in the morning and evening, before and after activities. Since the campers stay busy throughout the day, we usually only hear from Gabe at night, either through a quick text or a short FaceTime call. During his first year, he felt a little homesick on the first evening, which had me concerned. However, by the second night, he was completely over it, excitedly sharing details about his amazing day. I believe it just took him some time to adjust, especially since the first day is mostly about settling in before the fun begins.

Unlike some camps, Space Camp does not accept letters or care packages. If your child is attending without a cellphone, they will still have access to on-site phones to check in with family. Gabe’s friend traveled without a phone his first year and was still able to call home.

While the camp does not necessarily encourage bringing cellphones, I highly recommend it. It makes communication much easier and allows campers to exchange contact information with the friends they make throughout the week. Gabe has stayed in touch with several camp friends over the years, which has been a wonderful way to maintain those connections beyond the program.

Bunk1 Photos

I absolutely love that this feature is included with registration! Before camp, you’ll set up a Bunk1 account through their app, where you’ll be prompted to select the Gold package. The cost is fully covered, so you won’t need to make any payment.

The photo system utilizes facial recognition, so as camp staff upload pictures throughout the week, you’ll receive notifications whenever your child is detected. The images are high quality, and you can easily download them directly from the app to your phone or device.

Food

All meals in the cafeteria are included with registration, so your child’s meals are fully covered during their stay. On-site vending machines are available, and they recommend bringing $1 bills for purchases. I typically send some cash with our son but the vending machines do accept debit/credit cards.

To make sure Gabe has enough to eat, I usually pre-order the snack pack, which includes a variety of snacks like Cheez-Its and granola bars. Since he’s not a huge fan of the cafeteria food and they don’t allow outside food or drinks, this pack helps give him a boost throughout the week. It provides plenty of snacks, as he comes home with leftovers.

Schedule

Unfortunately, we’ve never received a detailed hour-by-hour schedule of activities for the week, but Gabe typically shares a rundown of his day and what’s coming up the next day. The photos also offer a good glimpse of what’s happening throughout the week. Additionally, you won’t receive any direct announcements from the program during the camp.

However, someone once shared a daily schedule in a Facebook group that our friend shared with me, which was originally from the “Space Camp” program. While each program has its own schedule, I found it helpful to get an idea of how they structure the days and plan the activities.

Flight Suit

They offer the option to purchase a flight suit, which can be worn throughout the week. I found this to be a great investment, and it made for some fantastic photos. I prepaid for it before Gabe’s first camp, and they sized him appropriately, providing the suit upon arrival. I especially appreciated that they sized up, so he wouldn’t outgrow it too quickly. He’s still able to wear it for this summer’s camp, and they offer additional patches each year that can be added to the suit, making it a fun keepsake from his experiences.

Graduation

I planned to attend Gabe’s graduation during his first year, so I flew into Huntsville the night before. I took an Uber to the Huntsville Marriott, which is conveniently located right next to the Space & Rocket Center. The hotel was fantastic, with a view of the rocket right outside my window. In the morning, I was able to simply walk over to the building where the graduation ceremony was held. Upon arrival, you check in with your ID and then grab a seat in the auditorium. It was such a special moment to watch Gabe walk across the stage, and we were happily reunited shortly after the ceremony.

After graduation, you have the opportunity to explore the grounds, which feature a museum, gift shop, and a few rides. Gabe gave me an excellent tour, and I really enjoyed seeing the places where he had spent the week. Once we finished exploring, we took an Uber back to Huntsville Airport. The airport is fairly small, so getting through security and to your gate is quick and easy.

In the second year, when my husband attended the graduation, he flew in the morning of and flew back the same afternoon. This is a convenient option if your flight times align with the graduation schedule, making it possible to enjoy the ceremony without needing to stay overnight.

If you’re not planning to attend the graduation and your child is flying as an unaccompanied minor, the camp will arrange transportation back to the airport. Once at the airport, they will help check your child in, assist with dropping off luggage, and accompany them to the gate, staying with them until they board their flight.

Final Thoughts

As a fun bonus, your kids can definitely include this camp on their resumes when needed. It’s a fantastic way to demonstrate their early interest in the STEM field and highlight the valuable experiences, team building skills and accomplishments they’ve gained through the program.

Overall, these camps are more than just educational opportunities- they are stepping stones to future aspirations and careers. Whether your child dreams of reaching the stars, designing innovative technology, or simply exploring their passions, these programs provide a solid foundation to inspire and empower them. All while making friends along the way! For Gabe, these experiences have been truly life-changing.