Overnight Experiences
Family Campout
You and your family will navigate your own space exploration journey while engaging in science, technology and engineering related activities. Build model rockets, explore robotics and train for spaceflight in our Family Campouts.
Activities cover an array of difficulty levels to excite visitors of all ages. Explore robotics in our Robotics Challenge Arena where you can build a robotic hand, program and operate a rover and more.
Build your own rocket and then see how high you can launch it. Train like an astronaut and learn about spacewalks, the speed of light and crew assembly. Tour Starship Gallery, home to multiple flown spacecraft, astronaut training models, one-of-a-kind artifacts and more.
You and your entire family can choose from two unique overnight camping experiences.
Prefer to sleep in the great outdoors under the stars? Pack your tent and set up camp in Independence Plaza, right underneath a Boeing 747, the shuttle carrier aircraft NASA 905, and our high-fidelity shuttle replica Independence.
Prefer to cozy up indoors? All you need is a sleeping bag and a pillow to complete your campsite, surrounded by some of the rarest spaceflight artifacts on Earth.
Please note that all campers must be at least 5 years old.
Launch your family camping trip into orbit in our Family Campout program at Space Center Houston!
Activities includes
- Buffet dinner served at Space Center Houston.
- Welcome briefing in preparation for the night’s activities in the Mission Briefing Center.
- Exciting, hands-on STEM activities.
- Overnight campsite amongst historic flown space artifacts and national treasures.
- Buffet breakfast served at Space Center Houston.
- Second-day visit to Space Center Houston.
Outside campsites are 10-by-10 feet. Check in begins at 4:30 p.m.
Pricing
- $69.95 per person
- $15 per T-shirt (optional)
- $7 per program patch (optional)
Available dates
Jan. 12, 2019March 9, 2019April 13, 2019- June 21, 2019
- Aug. 31, 2019
- Oct. 26, 2019
- Jan. 18, 2020
- March 7, 2020
- April 11, 2020
- May 23, 2020
- June 27, 2020
- Aug. 5, 2020
- Nov. 24, 2020
- Dec. 5, 2020
Itinerary
First Day Evening
- 4:30 p.m. - Check-in at Space Center Houston entrance
- 6 p.m. - Buffet dinner served in Zero-G Diner
- 6:30 p.m. - Bring luggage in from vehicles
- 7 p.m. - Welcome show in Mission Briefing Center
- 7:30-9:45 p.m. - Free roam activities
- 10 p.m. - Rocket launch
- 10:45 p.m. - Set-up camp / get ready for bed
- 11:15 p.m. - Lights out
Second Day Morning
- 6:50 a.m. - Wake-up / pack-up / load gear in vehicles
- 7:30 a.m. - Buffet breakfast served in Zero-G Diner
- 8:15 a.m. - Large-screen film “EVA 23” in Space Center Theater
- 9 a.m. Two Options –
- Option #1
- Tram tour of NASA Johnson Space Center
- Returning at 10:30 a.m. to explore Space Center Houston
- Note: Requires use of 2nd day ticket
- Option #2
- Depart for home
- Allows for use of 2nd day ticket on another day
- Option #1
Please note: The above schedule is subject to change without notice. During days of high visitation for the center, the large-screen film may be canceled to allow for the NASA tram tour to depart at 8:15 a.m. Length of tram tour and the locations visited vary depending on the season.
Family Campout forms
Frequently asked questions
Scout Family Campouts are for families, troops or packs from any official scouting organization. Family Campouts offer the same experience but are for families not involved in a scouting group and who might not have a lot of camping experience. The programs offer the same activities.
Attendees can include families involved in any official scouting organization, the immediate and extended family of a scout and troops, packs and dens can come as a group. All attendees must be ages 5 and older.
This co-ed camp is open to any family, their immediate and extended family members and friends. They do not need to be associated with a scouting organization to attend.
No, it is not required, but it is helpful to have some experience camping and setting up a tent. There will be staff members to help if needed.
Camp sites are 10-by-10 foot grass areas that may or may not be level. You may be underneath the plane or near it. Sites are assigned randomly and dependent on the number of people in a group and the ground condition. (We will not place anyone in a muddy site). If you are unhappy with your assigned site, let a staff member know and we will try our best to accommodate your request.
Yes, attendees may register as an “Indoor Camper” or an “Outdoor Camper.” Indoor campers will sleep in our exhibit halls and will not need tents.
No, but it is recommended.
The main flood lights will be turned off but the stairwell and elevator shaft to the shuttle and plane will stay lit. Overall it will be fairly dark, but there will still be light in the area.
Space Center Houston is located in an urban area and there are busy streets surrounding the facility. The camp sites are located across the parking lot from the main road. There are typically very few cars passing by overnight but be aware that campers may hear emergency vehicle sirens or some cars passing by in the distance.
There is extra space inside our main building and the events building that can accommodate everyone in case of bad weather. We will not require everyone to sleep inside unless the rain is substantial.
It is possible, but space is limited for the outdoor camp sites. Outdoor camp sites are not guaranteed unless you registered as an “Outdoor Camper.” If campers wish to move either inside or outside, they should let a staff member know as soon as possible.
Outdoor campers may bring them as long as they fit in the campsite. Indoor campers may bring them only for medical conditions that do not allow them to sleep on the floor, and they must notify us prior to arrival so that we can make sure we can accommodate.
We need to reserve an area large enough inside to accommodate all outdoor campers in case of bad weather. There is not enough room indoors to be able to accommodate all campers if everyone brought an air mattress so we reserve that for people with medical conditions only.
No, Space Center Houston does not provide camping equipment. If you discover that your tent is damaged or unusable, we do not have any replacements. Campers can choose to sleep outdoors without a tent or move inside. You can camp outside without a tent, but it is not recommended.
There are restrooms located inside the building and in the outdoor camping area. There are no showers.
Admission includes dinner, after-hours experience, a variety of hands-on educational activities related to different NASA fields including a take-home model rocket, opportunity to purchase “I Camped In Space” T-shirts and patches, overnight experience, breakfast and a second-day visit.
No, all children under the age of 18 must attend with at least one chaperone/parent. Anyone under the age of 18 will not be allowed to check in without a parent/chaperone who is staying with their group.
Yes, they should purchase their ticket prior to the camp through Reservations or on the night of the camp. Attendees who did not camp out can join their group the next morning before the NASA Tram Tour.
All campers must be at least five years old to attend the Campout. Anyone under the age of 18 may not attend the Campout without a parent/chaperone.
Attendees with dietary restrictions may bring their own food. Absolutely NO cooking will be allowed. Small snacks are acceptable.
After lights-out, the facility will be completely locked down and monitored by Security. If campers need to access their vehicles during the night, they should let the security team know.
We have charging stations inside the building, but not at the outdoor camp sites. We recommend outdoor campers bring a charging bank.
Yes, there will be a full staff of security guards monitoring the building and grounds as well as two Campout staff members.
No, check-in will begin no earlier than 4:30 p.m. If attendees wish to visit Space Center Houston before 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, they will need to use their second day tickets. Campers should advise staff ahead of time to ensure tickets are ready at the Reservation office.
Everyone, including parents, can participate in the activities, and we supply everyone attending with their own materials.
The program ends at 8:45 a.m., and you will be given the following options:
- Option #1 Private tram tour of NASA Johnson Space Center and general admission to Space Center Houston for the remainder of the day.
- Option #2 Depart for home after breakfast and receive a general admission ticket to use on another day.