Parent Info

Age/Grade Appropriateness

Since we opened our first camp in 1982, we have gathered a wealth of experience developing and providing curriculum that is age and grade specific. Reading levels, cognitive learning skills, and emotional maturity are just a few of the factors we have used over the years to develop programs that will not only be fun, but "comfortable" for young people of all backgrounds. For example, we make every effort to arrange teams so each child has an age or grade in common.

We know from experience that a child is not going to enjoy our camp if he or she is intimidated by older students or can't keep up with the intellectual or physical demands of a level higher than what we have designed for them. Please help us achieve the very best experience possible for your child by enrolling him in the camp that corresponds with his age.

Counselor Qualifications and Training

You are entrusting us with the security and well-being of your child. Our rigid standards for hiring qualified counselors, as well as training them, have been established to ensure your child enjoys a safe, fun and educational experience while attending our programs. A minimum of two years of college or equivalent experience is mandatory for all counselors. While a significant percentage of our staff are education majors, others are pursuing degrees in business, science, math or the liberal arts. The common thread they share is their desire to work with children. Many staff members have actually gone through the camp programs as trainees. Every potential counselor must pass a comprehensive background check, pre-employment attitude test and drug screening prior to employment. Once employed, and before they ever meet a trainee, all program staff members receive training in the following areas: program facts and history; simulator safety and operation; proper discipline techniques as outlined by the American Camping Association; and age-specific behavioral characteristics. All counselors are closely supervised and are evaluated weekly at the end of each camp session by their team members. We encourage parents to meet program staff members at registration and graduation.

Security

Camp supervisory staff and a separate security staff are on site or on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week when camp is in session to ensure the safety of your child. At no time are trainees allowed off-site individually or as a group without an accompanying adult. Off-site trips are limited to those included in the program curriculum.

The safety of children entrusted into our care has always been a top priority. Space Camp and Aviation Challenge are located within a completely enclosed facility. Security guards, on duty around the clock, routinely check all packages and parcels entering the facility, including those of our employees. More than 50 video cameras monitor the entire facility at all times. Your child will be under the supervision of one of our trained counselors during his/her entire visit.

Medical Staffing

Medical staff is on-site 24 hours daily.

All medications (prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, herbal) are collected during registration and dispensed as directed by you or the prescribing physician. They must be in their original containers with labels and instructions in English. Trainees requiring injections must provide medications; syringes; and legible, signed instructions from your physician. Any medically related questions may be directed to the nursing staff. Refer to Camp Phone Listings.

Special Needs Accommodations

Every effort is made to accommodate individuals with special needs. Special needs include physical disabilities and dietary restrictions. To learn more about our capabilities, please contact our nursing staff, 256-721-7162.

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided in a common dining area from the afternoon/evening of arrival until graduation. At each meal, we offer a variety of foods to appeal to different preferences. Snacks and soft drinks are also available at various sites within the facility at the trainee's expense. We try to accommodate trainees with special dietary requirements. If the requirement exceeds our capabilities, trainees can bring their own food and/or pay the additional cost of meeting those needs. Do not send food to camp with your child unless it is to accommodate special dietary needs.

We do require advance notice if your child will be bringing food for this reason - please call the camp you are attending.

Sample Menu

• Breakfast
  • Scrambled eggs
  • Sausage
  • Biscuits
  • Hash Browns
  • Pancakes or waffles
  • Fresh fruit
  • Assorted cereals
  • Milk and juice
• Lunch
  • Sandwiches
  • Homemade soup
  • Fruit
  • Assorted cakes
• Dinner
  • Meat entree
  • Vegetarian entree
  • Selection of vegetables
  • Pizza
  • Sandwiches
  • Salad bar
  • Assorted ice cream
  • Choice of soda or milk