Home » Education Programs » Explorer Camps » Explorer Camps Parent Guide
We are passionate about sharing science and space exploration with our community. Our Explorer Camps introduce hundreds of children to the wonders of space exploration. That said, keeping your children safe is our first priority. That is why you will find some changes to the Explorer Camp processes this year.
Explorer Camps have a new streamlined registration process. Submit all your camper info and pay in one convenient place. Plus, make changes or updates to your camp purchase by logging in to your account.
Please note: For multi-day camps, campers do not stay overnight.
Reservations: +1 281-283-4755
Explorer Camp Coordinator: +1 281-283-7773
Accessibility & Inclusion Specialist: +1 281-244-2147
Camp Email: [email protected]
Age groups have staggered drop-off and pick-up times to minimize wait time.
Please review the table below to confirm your young explorer’s specific drop-off and pick-up times.
5-Day Explorer Camps | ||
---|---|---|
Age Group | Check-In Time | Check-Out Time |
4-5 Year Olds | 8-8:30 a.m. | 3-3:30 p.m. |
6-7 Year Olds | 8-8:30 a.m. | 3-3:30 p.m. |
8-9 Year Olds | 8:30-9 a.m. | 3:30-4 p.m. |
10-11 Year Old | 8:30-9 a.m. | 3:30-4 p.m. |
1-Day Explorer Camps | ||
---|---|---|
Age Group | Check-In Time | Check-Out Time |
5-7 Year Olds | 8:30-9 a.m. | 3-3:30 p.m. |
8-10 Year Olds | 8:30-9 a.m. | 3-3:30 p.m. |
NEW! Evening Explorers | ||
---|---|---|
Age Group | Check-In Time | Check-Out Time |
5-7 Year Olds |
5-5:30 p.m. (At back Education Building) |
9:30-10 p.m. (At back Education Building) |
8-10 Year Olds |
5-5:30 p.m. (At back Education Building) |
9:30-10 p.m. (At back Education Building) |
Before-care and after-care cost is $20 per time slot, per day. Services can be added by signing into your registration account.
Note: There is no Pre-Care or After Care for One Day Camps or Evening Explorers. Pre-Care and After Care are only available for 5-Day, 4-Day and 3-Day Camps.
Fall/Winter Dates | Start Time | End Time | Cost | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Before-Care | Fall Camp: Nov. 25-27, 2024 Winter Camp: Dec. 23,26,27, 2024 Dec.30, Jan. 2,3 2025 | 7:00 a.m. | 8:15 a.m. | $20.00 |
After-Care | Fall Camp: Nov. 25-27, 2024 Winter Camp: Dec. 23,26,27, 2024 Dec.30, Jan. 2,3 2025 | 4:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | $20.00 |
Camper t-shirts are included in the price of all Explorer Camps, which include 5-day, 4-day, 3-day, 1-day and Evening Explorers. Additional t-shirts are available for purchase by signing into your Explorer Camp registration account.
For the safety of the campers, Explorer Camp t-shirts are to be worn to camp each day. Additional t-shirts are available to purchase by signing into your Explorer Camp registration account.
Note: Campers may go outside briefly during the camp for activities so please check the weather and dress appropriately.
Campers should wear closed-toed shoes.
Camps are offered for the ages of 4-11. Explorer Camps 5-day, 4-day, 3-day are offered to ages 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 and 10-11. One Day and Evening Explorers are offered to ages 5-7 and 8-10. Your child must be the correct age at the time of the camp.
The medical history and the image releases must be completed during the registration process. If any medical information changes for your camper, please sign into your account to make updates for our staff at least two (2) days prior to the start of camp.
If your child has a disability, an impairment, or a condition requiring additional support, please indicate this need within the Medical History portion of the camper’s registration. A representative from Space Center Houston will contact the parent to discuss reasonable accommodations for the child. To ensure specific accommodations are available, we request a minimum of five (5) business days’ notice.
Read together the Explorer Camp Photo Guide, a photo-guide/social story to help you plan for camp.
Space Center Houston cannot guarantee a nut-free environment.
Any medication brought to camp must be in the original labeled container and identified within the Medical History portion of the camper’s registration.
Food allergies – see “Lunch & Snacks” below.
Campers may bring their lunch each day, or you can purchase a meal plan during the Explorer Camp registration process.
Meal | Cost | |
---|---|---|
5-Day Meal Plan | Monday–Friday | $52.00 |
4-Day Meal Plan | Monday–Thursday | $46.00 |
3-Day Meal Plan | Monday–Wednesday | $34.50 |
1-Day Meal Plan | Monday | $11.50 |
Evening Explorers Meal Plan | Friday | Included with registration. |
DAY 1 – Monday
Regular meal: Fried Chicken Tenders, Potato Wedges, and whole fruit
Vegetarian Meal: Plant Based Protein Sticks with Ranch, Potato Wedges, whole fruit.
Gluten Free Meal: GF Chicken Tenders with Ranch, French Fries, whole fruit
DAY 2 – Tuesday
Regular meal: Cheesy Mac & Cheese Chicken Bake, Corn, whole fruit
Vegetarian Meal: Cheesy Mac Pasta Bake, Corn Cobette, whole fruit
Gluten Free Meal: GF Mac & Cheese Chicken Bake, Corn Cobette, whole fruit
DAY 3 – Wednesday
Regular meal: Hot Dogs, Tater Tots, and Pudding Cup
Vegetarian meal: Beyond Bratwurst, Tator Tots, Pudding Cup
Gluten Free Meal: Hot Dogs on GF Bun, House Made Potato Chips, Pudding Cup
DAY 4 – Thursday
Regular Meal: ¼ lb. Burger, House Made Potato Chips, Cookie
Vegetarian Meal: Beyond Meat Sloppy Joe, House Made Potato Chips, Cookie
No Gluten added Meal: 1/4 LB Burger on GF Bun, House Made Potato Chips, GF Cookie
DAY 5 – Friday
Regular Meal: Cheese pizza and whole fruit
Vegetarian Meal: Cheese Pizza & whole fruit
Gluten Free Meal: Cheese Pizza on GF Crust & fruit
Note: While we are happy to accommodate requests for vegetarian, dairy free and gluten free substitutions for the menus above, we currently may be unable to modify menus for other individual dietary needs/allergies. Requests for vegetarian/gluten free substitute options must be provided a minimum of 72 hours prior to your event to be guaranteed. Please be aware that items are prepared in a facility handling and preparing with egg, milk, wheat, shellfish, soy, peanut and tree nut products and other potential allergens. If you have dietary requests or questions about the menu, please contact [email protected].
Health questions will be asked at check-in for all participants.
Space Center Houston requests that you keep children at home if they have recently had a fever, are potentially infectious, or have been around someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
If a child becomes ill during camp hours, a parent or guardian will be required to pick them up within one hour of notification.
In the case of late arrival or early dismissal, parents should inform a crew member at the Learning Innovation Center behind Space Center Houston by calling +1 281-283-4772. See “Frequently Asked Questions” below.
Disruptive behavior, physical aggression, violence, disrespectful behavior towards others or their property, damage to Space Center Houston property, theft or possession/use of dangerous items will not be tolerated and may result in immediate dismissal.
Damage to Space Center Houston equipment due to misbehavior will be at the expense of the parent.
Space Center Houston has a zero-tolerance policy in regard to bullying.
No refunds will be provided for early dismissal as a result of suspension.
Only registered campers are allowed in our program activities.
Space Center Houston is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Cell phones are permitted at Explorer Camps but should not be out or used during the day. If you need to get in touch with your child during camp hours, please contact the Education Office at +1 281-244-7773.
Camps with insufficient enrollment will be canceled at least two (2) weeks prior to first day of camp, and an alternative camp will be made available.
Partial or full refunds are not made for early dismissal, failure to attend, absences, or sick days.
Cancellation notifications must be emailed to two (2) weeks prior to the event at [email protected].
When offered, lunch packages can be cancelled up to one week prior to the event for a refund. Food must be ordered and prepared so less than one week prior to camp, we cannot offer a refund.
No refunds or credits will be given for pre-care or after-care after the event has taken place.
Non-attendance | Policy |
Cancellation two (2) weeks prior to the first day of camp | Full refund (for any reason) |
Cancellation 48 hours prior to the first day of camp. | Full credit (for any reason); credits must be redeemed within one calendar year. |
Any campers who do not have a completed registration by the start of camp will not be allowed to participate until it is completed online and paid for.
Before-care and after-care are offered for the times listed in the previous sections.
Campers cannot be dropped off earlier than 7 a.m.
If children are not picked up by 6 p.m., you will be charged $30 for the extended time.
Please note: One Day Explorer Camps and Evening Explorers do not have Pre-Care or After-Care as an option.
Different age groups will have staggered drop off and pick up times. Please review your confirmation carefully to identify what time your child needs to be dropped off and picked up. Please refer to camp times above for Evening Explorer check-in and drop-off times.
Age group | Check-in time | Check-out time |
4-5 year olds | 8-8:30 a.m. | 3-3:30 p.m. |
6-7 year olds | 8-8:30 a.m. | 3-3:30 p.m. |
8-9 year olds | 8:30-9 a.m. | 3:30-4 p.m. |
10-11 year olds | 8:30-9 a.m. | 3:30-4 p.m. |
A map to the Learning Innovation Center behind Space Center Houston is included on the parent guide website.
Please look for camp drop-off signs to guide you to the check in area. Camper check in closely resembles a school drop-off line.
DROP-OFF PROCEDURES:
T-SHIRTS:
We ask that the T-shirts received during check-in the first day of camp are worn by the child before entering the Learning Innovation Center for easy identification.
If your child has additional needs please indicate their needs in the Medical History portion of the registration process at least five (5) business days prior to the camp start date.
Once a parent indicates that their child has a disability, impairment, or condition, a representative from the Space Center Houston education staff will contact the parent to discuss reasonable accommodations for the child.
Campers may bring their own lunch each day or purchase a meal plan.
No glass containers are allowed. There is not a microwave available to campers.
Campers with food allergies will sit at an allergy free table to avoid food contamination.
Every camper will be provided with a daily snack in the afternoon.
Check-out begins at 3 p.m. each day from the Learning Innovation Center behind Space Center Houston. Please look for camp pick-up signs to guide you to the checkout area. Camper checkout closely resembles a school pick-up line. Please follow pick-up times:
Age group | Check-in time | Check-out time |
4-5 year olds | 8-8:30 a.m. | 3-3:30 p.m. |
6-7 year olds | 8-8:30 a.m. | 3-3:30 p.m. |
8-9 year olds | 8:30-9 a.m. | 3:30-4 p.m. |
10-11 year olds | 8:30-9 a.m. | 3:30-4 p.m. |
All campers not in after-care must be picked up by 4 p.m. If a camper is not picked up by 4 p.m., they will be placed in after-care, and your account will be charged $30 for the services provided.
PICK-UP PROCEDURES
If you arrive at the Learning Innovation Center after 9 a.m. or before 3 p.m., please follow the procedures below to maintain safe social distancing while dropping off or picking up your child.
Registration for Summer 2024 Explorer Camps will begin in Spring 2024. Sign up to receive our newsletter to be the first to know when registration goes live!
Reservations: +1 281-283-4755
Explorer Camp Coordinator: +1 281-283-7773
Accessibility & Inclusion Specialist: +1 281-244-2147
Camp Email: [email protected]
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