Top Ten "Most Asked" Questions About a Camp-in.

10. What is Space Center Houston?
Formed as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit Texas corporation on July 21, 1986, the Manned Space Flight Education Foundation, Inc. financed, constructed, and now operates Space Center Houston, the public visitors center for NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. Tax money does not support the operation of Space Center Houston.
Space Center Houston opened its doors on October 16, 1992, as the public's window to the world's most exciting scientific initiative... the American Space program. Through interactive exhibits, films, tours, and live presentations, Space Center Houston allows visitors to: Experience the excitement of discovery, develop a better understanding of the role of science and technology in our world, associate science with real people as they observe scientists and engineers at work, and witness the personal regards of scientific and technical careers, and recognize the diversity of people involved in these fields.
With America's greatest scientific endeavor, the space program, as our backdrop, Space Center Houston makes a positive impression on scouts, during the time they are developing their attitudes towards science and math.

9. What is a Camp-In?
Space Center Houston has opened its facility for an educational overnight experience. The Educational Programs Crew has developed a program that allows campers to utilize Space Center Houston exhibits to fulfill camp/badge requirements

8. Will we "tour" Space Center Houston?
No, this overnight experience is not a guided tour of the facility. We use the atmosphere, and the various attractions/exhibits that correlate with the theme of the evening. Because so many activities are packed into a camp-in, the counselors keep a tight schedule. Free time and gift shop time are incorporated into your next day visit. A next day visit is included in the registration fees.

7. Is there 24-Hour security available?
Yes! Safety is Space Center Houston's number one concern. Security personnel are at each camp-in round-the-clock, as well as patrolling the outside area.

6. Is there a First Aid Facility?
Space Center Houston houses a first aid station that is available during the day. For the overnight, each group is responsible for a First Aid Responder being present. Space Center Houston Camp Staff has access to a basic first aid kit for your use.

5 . What exactly are my campers paying for?
An awesome experience, of course! Many others are dying to "spend the night" at Space Center Houston, but we reserve this experience for the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts at this time. Not only do the campers work on their badge requirements, but they experience activities not available to the general public. Because we are a not-for-profit organization, Educational Programs must support their own efforts. Costs incurred during a typical camp-in include: reserving the facility for the entire evening, materials, food, and all staffing.

4. Can I bring my family?
Only registered scouts and their leaders/chaperones attend a Camp-In. Chaperones are not permitted to bring any children who are not registered or who do not meet the designated age level or gender requirements for a camp-in.

3. What are a leader's/chaperone's responsibilities during a camp-in?
Space Center Houston's policy requires that all campers be under the direct supervision of an adult leader at all times.
The counselors really need your help with: maintaining discipline/attention, staying with your team, upbeat attitude (campers mirror you), helping the campers with some activities.
The group leader must have all of the participants' (campers and adults) medical forms readily available in case of an emergency.

2. Whose responsibility is it to purchase badges for the camp-in?
Because the troops/dens are from various councils, it is the leader's responsibility to purchase the badges from a scout store. As a troop/den leader, it is your discretion as to how you want to award badges to your scouts. Some leaders like to take Camp Badge an activity a step further or require the scouts to turn in their log books. It is your call. Space Center Houston does have a camp badge available the night of the camp for $5.00.

1. How much sleep will we get?
About as much sleep as you would get from a slumber party with 350 people. Because of our time constraints and the badge requirement activities, we take the scouts from Mach 25 to zero in approximately 6 to 7 hours. Sleep time is anywhere from 5 to 6 hours. Lights out ranges from 11:30 pm to 12:30 am depending on the Camper/Scout level. This aspect of the Camp-In program will not change! Please understand.

For more information, please call 281-283-4755. You can also send an email to: reservations@spacecenter.org.