SPACE ADVENTURE CAMP

Excited campers walking down the ramp to Pad 0A where the Antares rocket launches

GO BEHIND THE SCENES

Unlock exclusive access to NASA and meet the experts! Experience exclusive tours and conversations with engineers and technicians from NASA and leading aerospace companies, like Rocket Lab and Virginia Space Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, located at Wallops Island, Virginia.

Two campers pair program an Arduino based project

CHALLENGE YOURSELF

Push your creativity and problem-solving skills to new heights! Design, build, and launch your own rockets. Program a robot to tackle missions that seem impossible. And along the way, build friendships that will become part of your lifelong adventure.

Happy campers experiencing the aerial adventure at Iron Pony

ADVENTURE AWAITS

Embark on an unforgettable journey where obstacles turn into learning experiences, and teamwork skills grow stronger each day. From aerial obstacle courses to dynamic engineering projects, you’ll elevate your leadership and resilience to new levels.

FIRST-RATE STAFF

Our team includes counselors and instructors from some of the nation’s top universities—like Purdue, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Alabama, University of Maryland College Park, and Arizona State. With a powerful blend of STEM backgrounds and passion for teaching, they ensure every camper has a rigorous and exhilarating experience.

BASE CAMP

A 6-day, 5-night residential camp packed with hands-on discovery! Base Camp blends courses in robotics and aerospace with behind-the-scenes aerospace facility tours and classic camp fun.

  • 11 -15 years old (at the time of camp session)

  • - Design, build, and launch model rockets

    - Construct and program robots with LEGO Spike Prime, coding in Scratch and Python

    - Gain flight experience with safe drone (sUAS) operations

    - Team up for fun engineering challenges that build teamwork

  • Week 1: June 22 - 27, 2025 (Boys Spots Full)
    Week 2: June 29 - July 4, 2025
    Week 3: July 6 - 11, 2025
    Week 4: July 13-18, 2025

  • Tuition: $1599

New Advanced Camp Alert! Launch Lab 〰️ Cubes in Space™

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New Advanced Camp Alert! Launch Lab 〰️ Cubes in Space™ 〰️

ADVANCED CAMP: Launch Lab - Cubes in SpaceSpace™

This 6-day, 5-night experience offers campers a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on space mission design, from concept to execution, while preparing to fly a CiS Individual Onboard Nanocomputer (ION+) atmospheric sensing hardware unit on the CiS Research Balloon-10 (RB-10)/ NASA's Salter Test Flight mission (scientific balloon). These scientific balloons typically stay aloft for 5.5 hours and reach altitudes over 125,000 ft. This camp fosters curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking, empowering the next generation of explorers to take their ideas to the edge of space and beyond. Campers also experience exclusive tours of Wallops aerospace facilities and plenty of traditional camp fun.

ION+ unit in the cube ready to be integrated to the carrier
  • 12 -16 years old (at the time of camp session)

  • Completion of Space Adventure Base Camp or Advanced Camp Aerospace, Advanced Coding & Robotics. This is for advanced learners and returning campers ready for a deeper dive.

    • Engage in the full cycle of designing a space mission, including asking scientific questions, defining flight profiles, and building flight proposals. Learn systems thinking by exploring the interrelationship between engineering, science, and math.

    • Acquire and practice skills crucial for interpreting and presenting research findings effectively by practicing hypothesis formulation, data collection using environmental sensing instruments, data analysis, and creating technical and scientific diagrams.

    • Develop technical engineering skills and learn iterative problem-solving through hands-on activities like hardware assembly, calibration, testing, and integrating ION+ units into the actual Cubes in Space RB-10 payload.

  • Week 5: July 20 - 25, 2025 Only 1 Spot Remaining

  • Tuition: $1699

The view of Earth from the high-altitude balloon with gondola in foreground.

ADVANCED CAMP: AEROSPACE

This 6-day, 5-night camp specializes in advanced model rocketry and drone navigation. Develop detailed designs, simulate rocket launches, and handle multi-sensor payloads—all while enjoying exclusive aerospace facility tours and a taste of traditional camp fun.

  • 12 -16 years old (at the time of camp session)

  • Completion of Space Adventure Base Camp or prior experience with rocketry and drones. This is for advanced learners and returning campers ready for a deeper dive.

  • - Build multiple model rockets from scratch for test launches

    - Create and simulate rocket models using design software

    - Design and manufacture custom rocket components with CAD and 3D printing

    - Collect and analyze data with multi-sensor PocketLab payloads

    - Master safe drone programming and operation (sUAS)

  • Week 6: July 27 - Aug 1, 2025 Limited spots remain
    (please note this camp has moved to Week 6)

  • Tuition: $1699

ENRICHING ACTIVITIES

Each camp is loaded with unique experiences that bring the fun and thrill of summer camp alive:

  • Test your balance and climb to new heights at Iron Pony Adventure Park’s aerial obstacle course

  • Enjoy go-karts, mini-golf, and more at Funland Amusements

  • Explore exhibits and interactives at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center

  • Expand your understanding and appreciation for the cosmos during astronomy night

  • Relax with a movie night

ALL-INCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE

Pricing includes:

  • Camper essentials: 2025 Space Adventure Camp T-shirt, water bottle, and backpack

  • All meals including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks

  • Evening entertainment at Funland Amusements and Iron Pony Aerial Adventure Course

  • All learning materials, tech equipment, and supplies

  • Comfortable lodging in climate-controlled dormitories

  • Transportation to all locations, including aerospace tours and recreational venues

Pre-Camp Activity:

Join in the excitement before camp even begins! All registered campers can enter the 2025 Space Adventure Camp Mission Patch Design Contest. The winning design will be featured on official camper t-shirts, stickers, and more. Plus, the winning designer will receive prizes, including a gift card to the NASA Gift Shop!

Post-Camp Alumni Community:

After camp, the adventure continues! All campers are eligible to join VASFA’s Alumni Community, a free resource where they’ll enjoy ongoing learning opportunities, career resources, and connections with industry professionals to keep their passion for STEM growing long after camp is over.