simulated rocket launch at range control center - campers build robots using legos - campers get first-hand look at rocket assembly - 3... 2... 1.... blast off!

Camp Overview

Our students have the extraordinary opportunity to go behind the scenes at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility where they get an up close look at the United States rocketry program, thanks to our partnerships with NASA, NOAA, MARS, and the US Navy. In addition to a NASA backstage pass, campers collaborate on two major projects: rocketry and robotics. They build and launch several types of model rockets, and work in teams of two or three to build and program small robots using Lego© Mindstorms© NXT systems. By Friday, campers have gained firsthand experience of a wide range of aerospace careers in an atmosphere designed to fuel enthusiasm.

Activities:

A typical Monday (first full day) is as follows:

7:00 Breakfast

7:30 - 8:30 Campers are broken into 2 groups, The Falcons and The Hawks,

one group starts with Intro to Robotics, the other with a class on

Model Rocketry

8:30 - 9:30 Groups switch

10:00 Field Trip to NASA Visitor's Center and Presentation

11:30 Lunch

12:30 - 2:30 Water Rockets/Alpha Rockets or Robotics

2:30 - 4:30 Groups Switch

5:00 Dinner...Pizza Party

6:00 Movies & Games, Free Time

10:00 Lights Out

**Campers are chaperoned at all times

Facilities

Established in 1998, The Virginia Space Flight Academy is truly one of a kind, and attracts many return campers year after year. One of its greatest assets is the close proximity of the Wallops Flight Facility, where many of our activities take place. Our buildings are on the campus of the Marine Science Consortium, adjacent to the WFF main gate. Student Dormitories, new for 2010, are state of the art suite like accommodations. Please visit our photo gallery for photos. Generally 10-12 students share an air-conditioned suite of 4 bedrooms, with one overnight counselor per dorm. There are 2 bathrroms per suite with 2 separate showers with changing rooms, and 2 private toilet stalls each.

Our students eat most meals at the Wallops Flight Facility Cafeteria. Since we are guests at this facility, and we frequently share the area with members of the military, students are asked to follow strict rules during meals. The food is excellent, and varied to accommodate most dietary requirements.

Registration Links

Returning Campers

Returning campers are encouraged and welcomed at Space Flight Adventure Camp. We invite them to help first time campers, and share the knowledge they gained during previous sessions. Often returning campers bring a friend to share the experience and memories of camp.

Since our field trips remain the same each year, returning campers participate in many of the same experiences that they enjoyed as first time campers.

Scholarships

Thanks to generous support from local companies, deserving students can apply for financial assistance with camp tuition. Completed applications must be received no later than one month before the selected session begins, and must be accompanied by a $100.00 deposit.

If scholarship funds are not available, Academy staff can work with families to seek assistance from their own communities.