What Not to Do at Family Space Camp
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you go to Space Camp. My son and I recently went to Family Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. We had a great time, but there are some things you should not do when you go to the Huntsville Space Camp.
Don’t Expect Any Downtime
The Space Camp schedule is pretty intense. You’re on the go every moment, so don’t go in expecting to have any time to relax. From 7 am until 9 pm every day, you will be busy. There are so many cool activities and simulations, and you won’t want to miss any of them. In addition to the activities, there’s also a really cool museum at the Space Camp.
Don’t Close Your Eyes on the MAT
One of the cool things to do at Space Camp is the MAT or Multi-Axis Training. It’s like a gyroscope that spins you around in every direction. It may be tempting to close your eyes, but don’t! Keeping your eyes open will help prevent you from getting dizzy or sick.
Don’t Be Over 260 Pounds to Do the Activities
Many of the activities have a weight limit of 260 pounds, including the MAT. It’s better to know this ahead of time, rather than finding out when you arrive and be disappointed.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
You’ll have a trainer with you the whole time and their job is to help you have a good time. So, if you have questions, ask them! Depending on the length of your Space Camp experience, you may have one or two trainers. Our trainer, Hannah, was awesome! Now, if you have super scientific questions, don’t ask the trainer. Save those questions for the scientists in the white coats!
Don’t Expect Luxury Accommodation
You don’t get to stay in a lunar module or anything super cool like that, but you stay in what’s called a habitat. They have bunk beds for sleeping, and the mattresses aren’t exactly plush. If this sounds like torture, you don’t have to stay in the habitat; there’s a Marriott right next store that you can stay at.
Don’t Forget to Bring a Lock
If you do stay in the habitat, don’t forget to bring a lock. The doors to the habitat are not locked, so you will get a locker to store your luggage and belongings. However, you’ll need a lock for the locker as they are not provided.
Don’t Forget to Bring a Water Bottle
You’re on the go all day at Space Camp, and you want to stay hydrated. The easiest way to do this is to bring a water bottle and refill it frequently throughout the day.
Don’t Shop Before Space Camp
You may get to the gift shop and want to buy up everything. But they actually give you a T-shirt for participating in Space Camp, so it’s best to wait until after Space Camp to buy any souvenirs.
Buying Souvenirs: What Not to Buy While Traveling
Don’t Forget to Pack Layers
Space Camp is not all indoors; you will be outside some of the time. In the summer, it will be hot and humid. Other times of the year, it can be cloudy, rainy or cold, so be sure to pack accordingly. Also, don’t forget to pack closed-toe shoes as they are required for space camp. If you are staying in the habitat, don’t forget to pack flip-flops for the shower.
Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About the South
Don’t Worry About the Food at Space Camp
The cost of Space Camp includes your meals. Yes, it’s cafeteria-style food at Space Camp. But, it’s not your typical cafeteria food. They rotate the menu through several different countries. Lunch might be American, while dinner is Russian or Chinese. The food is actually pretty good, too! Fortunately, or unfortunately, you won’t be eating “astronaut food” at Space Camp.
Don’t Bring Snacks from Home
Many people need snacks to get through the hours between lunch and dinner, but you aren’t allowed to bring food from outside. However, they do have plenty of vending machines and they also sell snacks in the gift shop.
Don’t Forget to Bring Single Dollar Bills
Don’t forget to bring cash when you come to Space Camp, especially single dollar bills. If you want to hit up those vending machines for a snack, you’ll need singles to pay for everything.
Don’t Eat in the Habitat
Even if you buy snacks on-site, you should not eat them in your sleeping room in the habitat. This is just common sense to avoid creating any pest issues in the sleeping areas.
Don’t Think Space Camp is Just For Kids
Yes, there is a special Space Camp for kids, but there are other options. Space Camp is fun for everyone. They have special adult Space Camp sessions, or you can join the family Space Camp as we did. Of course, there are kid-specific Space Camps, too. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone else thinking about going.
Don’t Expect to Find a Lot of Information Online
The Space Camp website is a bit dated. It can be hard to find any good information online about Space Camp. Some of this is intentional, as it’s much more fun to discover some of the surprises for yourself.
Space Camp is a really fun experience, especially visiting Space Camp with my eight-year-old son. Even if you don’t visit Space Camp when you’re in Huntsville, visiting the museum is well worth the trip! Hopefully, these “don’ts” give a good idea of what not to do and help you prepare for your own Space Camp adventure. Looking for more tips on family travel? Check out these blog posts!