Space Camp

Registration

November 16-December 13, 2026 in 4-H Online

Any youth in grades 6-8 may register to go to Space Camp. Many counties provide scholarship funding. Check with your local county office on how to apply for scholarship funding for Space Camp.

Participants will also need to register directly with Space Camp. Instructions and followup information will be shared in mid-January.

Adult Advisors: More information and the application can be found on the Adult Advisor Page.

Payment

Cost is approximately $1,300. This includes coach bus travel and participation fees at Space Camp.  Final costs are confirmed in February. Payment is due April 1st.

Needs-based scholarships are available for youth who participate in Statewide Educational Experiences. Scholarships require an application that is submitted to the state office. Scholarship requests for Space Camp 2026 are included in this years Space Camp registration. For more information on these scholarships, please visit the Scholarship page on our website.

Program Description

Space Camp is just what you think it is – it’s a camp experience where you learn and experience a ton of different aspects about life as an astronaut, working at NASA, and exploring places beyond Earth! Wisconsin 4-H Space Camp participants experience the Pathfinder Program. The Pathfinder Program is a 3 day experience where youth participate in a variety of simulated space activities at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, such as:

• A Simulated Space Mission (including roles at mission control, on the ISS, in a space shuttle, and on the surface of the moon)
• A variety of Space Simulators such as the multi-axis trainer, five degrees of freedom chair, and the space shot.
• Building and launching their own model rocket.
• On-site meals and sleeping habitats simulating a real space training experience.
• Learning all about space exploration and astronaut life in museum tours guided by a Space Camp expert.
• A team quiz bowl where participants test their knowledge against others at the end of camp.

Those are just a few of the activities that youth will experience while at Space Camp. Every activity has an educational purpose with the goal of teaching kids all about space, STEM, and teamwork. All of these activities are done in a team with other 4-H youth and adults from across the state of Wisconsin. Speaking of 4-H, you might be wondering, why does Wisconsin 4-H go to Space Camp every year, when it’s something that anyone can do by going there themselves? Well, Wisconsin 4-H Space Camp is more than just Space Camp!

Questions about Space Camp that you can’t find the answers to on this website? Feel free to contact pydadminteam@extension.wisc.edu.

This program is supported by the John, Cathy, Sarah, Becki, and Adam Brunnquell Family Endowment.

You may request an interpreter, materials in an alternative language or format, or other services to make this event more accessible, by contacting the PYD Admin team at pydadminteam@extension.wisc.edu or 608-263-5971 by no later than 20 business days prior to the start of the program. You can also request services during program registration. There’s no added cost to you for these services.