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How to Attend NASA Wallops Space Camp

Attending a NASA Space Camp at Wallops, Va., can be an enlightening and educational experience for your middle school or high school age child. The camp appeals most to those who are interested in a technical career with NASA. Attendees come away knowing how to participate as an on-ground technician with organizations such as NASA, the Navy and NOAA. A week-long camp at Wallops is just a few mouse clicks away.

Things You'll Need

Computer with Internet Service
Telephone
Credit card

Instructions

- 1
  Get information. The NASA Space Flight Adventure Camps are held at Wallops Flight Facility located near Chincoteague Island in Virginia. This is a fully functioning launch range that participates in week-long space camps for kids ages 11-15 years. Find out more about the camp as well as the facility before committing to attendance at any of the camp sessions. Check out their website for information (see Resources below).
- 2
  Learn about camp activities. Attending a Wallops NASA Space Camp is sure to keep any child occupied for the entire week. Find out what kind of activities your child will be participating in to ensure that the camp is a good match. For those interested in model rockets, robotics and the science of space flight, a Wallops Space Camp is an excellent choice.
- 3
  Pick a session. Wallops Space Academy offers seven different 5-day residential camps to choose from. Check your calendar for a week free of other commitments in which your child can participate in the camp.
- 4
  Check out the schedule. Review the daily schedule for the camp session your child is attending to make sure that it is well suited to your child's personality and needs. Take note of meal times, sleep times and other rest periods. It's important that your child has a chance to rest during an eventful week of Space Camp adventures.
- 5
  Register. Wallops Space Academy offers two methods of registration. Both methods require registering before attending camp. The website offers a downloadable registration form that you can print off, fill out and mail in. You may also register your child for camp using the website's online registration page.
- 6
  Arrange for payment. Determine which forms of payment the Wallops Space Academy takes and make sure that your payment arrangements are handled prior to attendance.
- 7
  Ask questions. If you have questions about Space Camp that haven't been answered, call the facility and talk to someone who can help. The more prepared your child is for camp, the better time she'll have while there. The website offers a toll-free number to call as well as email and physical addresses to which you can write with questions. Asking questions before attendance will help both you and your child to feel more comfortable come time to attend camp.

Astronomy