A&K Space

CHILDREN’S SPACE & AVIATION ADVENTURE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: How old must my child be to participate?
A: The program is designed for children 10, 11 and 12 years of age.

Q: Are there any size and weight restrictions?
A: A child must weigh no more than 260 pounds to access the simulators. Additionally, some simulators require a height of at least 4 feet.

Q: Do people become nauseated on the simulators?
A: Generally, they do not.

Q: What about lodging?
A: Your child will overnight at Habitat Lodge, which is located at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center®. The rooms are large with bunk beds; and boys and girls are stationed on different floors. There are seven beds to a room, with in-room locker facilities. In true camp fashion, each child will receive one set of clean linens for the week. The bathroom facilities have been recently renovated, offering the children more privacy in a camp-like environment.

Q: What about meals?
A: Dining at the USSRC is geared toward children’s tastes and appetites. An a la carte dining menu offers proven favorites. A typical dinner menu offers choices of two main dishes (such as chicken tenders, hamburgers, or lasagna, to name a few) and a selection of several side items (French fries, corn on the cob, green beans, etc.). The salad bar is open during both lunch and dinner. Breakfast consists of standard fare (scrambled eggs, hash browns, cereal, biscuits, fresh fruit, milk and juice, etc.) The young astronauts-in-training are welcome to carry change and may purchase snacks and drinks from the vending machines between meals.

Q: What if my child has special dietary needs?
A: Any special dietary needs or food allergies must be included on the child’s health form, and this information will be passed along to the kitchen and program managers. The child’s team counselor will also be made aware of this information.

Q: Are the children chaperoned?
A: Yes, at all times.

Q: What about security issues?
A: Security and safety is a top priority at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Security guards monitor all open entrances to the center 24 hours a day. The Habitat Lodge doors and halls are outfitted with cameras as an extra precaution. At no time is any child allowed to be away from the supervision of his or her adult counselor. Upon graduation no child is relinquished to an adult without proper identification and having already been identified as a parent or guardian via the trainee’s paperwork.

If your child is flying unaccompanied into or out of Huntsville, USSRC has a dedicated staff and a separate room at the airport just for their use. The children are under adult supervision at all times.

Q: What about the field trip to the Von Braun Astronomical Society Planetarium at Monte Sano State Park?
A: The same rules apply: all children must remain under the supervision of their adult counselor. Additionally, the USSRC provides extra support staff, as well as supervisor personnel, during field trips to help with the monitoring of the event and the children.

Q: What if my child becomes ill?
A: During sleeping hours there is always a male and female counselor on call in the Habitat should any child need assistance. The USSRC has an on-site 24-hour nursing staff.

Q: How many children can participate in this adventure?
A: A maximum of 16 children can participate in each group, and A&K Space can take as many as two groups to the program at USSRC.