Sept. 22-23, Space Center Houston

UPDATED Sept. 20

Required Forms.
Please complete and return all forms to Kathy Burgess: chair@pack421austin.org

Youth Protection Training is required of all attending adults. Forward your completion certificate. It may take a few hours to be sent to your email address upon completion.
Annual BSA Medical Release Forms are required for all Scouts attending. Click here to download.
Space Center Houston has a separate, required medical form. Click here to download.
Space Center Houston also has an Image Release Form. Click here to download.

Check-in will be at 5pm on Saturday, September 22.
We will sleep indoors—pack a sleeping pad (no air mattresses or cots!), sleeping bag, and pillow. See Space Center Houston’s recommended packing list below.
See full agenda below. There will be an opportunity to come early on Saturday and spend more time at Space Center Houston. Email chair@pack421austin.org by Sept.19, if you want to take advantage of this opportunity.
Dinner and breakfast will be provided (see menu below) on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. If you have food allergies, please email chair@pack421austin.org by Sept.19
More FAQ are listed on Space Center Houston’s website, including their Groups Code of Conduct.
For questions regarding sign up or wait list status, please contact Sarah Bollfrass: treasurer@pack421austin.org

Space Center Houston
1601 NASA Rd 1
Houston, TX 77058

(281) 244-2100

DRIVING TIPS

Traffic can be an issue, even on a Saturday so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to travel. If you are crossing through downtown Houston, it is generally better to take the 610 loop instead of I-45 through that area. Be aware that road construction and Gulf Freeway closures are currently planned. Below are some tips to make your journey a little easier.

If traveling from outside of the Houston area, make sure you bring or stop for lunch and bring extra snacks in the car in case you hit traffic and are late for dinner.
If your troop/pack is traveling in separate vehicles, make sure all drivers have a way to contact each other. Everyone must be present from your troop or pack in order to check in.
Always check current weather and road conditions on official state websites.
I-45 usually has road construction south of Beltway 8.
Beltway 8 is a toll road.
In case of bad weather and road closures on major freeways, there are several alternate routes in the area to choose from.
Remember to search for “Space Center Houston” and not “NASA” or “Johnson Space Center” on your GPS. We are located across the street from NASA.

PARKING & Check-In

Check in is at 5:00pm.

Tell the Space Center Houston Crew Member at the parking toll booth that you are here for the Camp-In. Parking is free for you and anyone else who is staying for the Camp-In or dropping off and picking up.
The gate will be open early in the morning for anyone joining you on the second day.
Check in at the Special Events Building located to the right of Shuttle and directly on your right upon entering the parking lot, look for Camp-In staff and check-in flags at the entrance of the building.
Once everyone from your party has arrived, the leader can go up and check in with our staff. You will receive a welcome packet with a wrist band for everyone in your group as well as the itinerary for the evening, coupons for the gift store and badge requirements met and a few other goodies.
The Camp-In staff member will then explain everything you need to know and check you in. Know how many scouts you have and how many adults you have altogether. They will also tell you when to bring in your luggage. If you are being dropped off, you can either store your luggage in another vehicle from your group or ask the Camp-In staff member for assistance.
Your entire group must be present in order to check in and enter the center. If you think that part of your group will not arrive before dinner starts, then please notify the Camp-In staff.

Agenda

Saturday
5:00pm Check-in at Special Events Building, first building on your right upon entering parking lot. (Leave luggage in vehicle, put on wristbands, grab any personal items needed from vehicle.)

— Free time in center. —
(No trams, films, or rides, please.)

6:00pm Dinner served in Zero-G Diner.
(Stay in diner until Instructors lead you out.)
— Center Closes to public —
6:45pm Welcome Show in the Space Center Theater
7:15pm Unsung Heroes of Mission Control Documentary
7:45-9:45pm Pick up or purchase T Shirts, patches and Day 2 Only tickets at the Information Desk. You will be dismissed by group throughout the evening.
10:00pm Rocket Launch - Parking Lot B2
10:15pm Bring in luggage from cars. Instructors will take you to your camp site.
— Get ready for bed. —
10:45pm Lights Out! Voices Out!
(It is up to the chaperones to keep the noise level down after lights out).

Sunday
6:45am Wake up. Take gear to cars.
(ALL gear MUST be loaded and out of the center by 7:30am)
7:30am Breakfast in Zero-G Diner.
(Please stay in the Zero-G until 8:15am)
8:15am Documentary EVA 23 - Space Center Theater
8:45am Two options to choose from:

Gift shop time and depart from Space Center Houston: Spend up to 30 minutes in our gift shop and then receive your Day 2 ticket(s) as you leave.
- OR -
Start your next day visit: Board the tram for the Johnson Space Center tram tour**.
After the tour, visit Space Center Houston.

** If your group chooses to take the JSC tram tour, you will not receive return admission tickets.

STEM NOVA Award requirements:
Step 1: Watch documentary.
Step 2: Complete one Adventure (on your own)
Step 3c: Mars rover robotics activity. Visit Space Center Houston and Johnson Space Center.

Luggage and Camp Site

Luggage is brought in at different times depending on what camp type you are attending and when the center closes. You will be told when to bring in luggage at check in.

Camp sites are assigned by troop/pack and are based on capacity and group size. They are assigned at random.
Changing and getting ready for bed happens in the bathrooms.
After lights out, it is up to you to keep your group quiet and settled. If a scout needs to go to the bathroom, our policy is that one adult must go with them. They cannot go without an adult.

Activities & Conduct

The activity portion of the evening is meant to be a fun and educational experience for the scouts. One badge/ adventure loop has been chosen for the scouts that evening to work on, which is advertised on our website. We chose the most space related badges available from each organization, however some lend themselves more to space science than others. Our Instructors will relate the activities to space as much as they can. All activities are either science or space related.

Your scout will be assigned to a group of about 20-30 other scouts. They will not be separated from their troop or pack unless the troop or pack has more than 30 scouts. You will also be assigned to the same group as your scouts.
Groups will rotate around the center, doing each activity at a different location. Some activities are hands-on while others are tours or interactive demos.
Our policy at Space Center Houston is that a scout is never left alone. They are either with one of our Instructors, another scout or a troop/pack leader or parent. We ask them to find a “Space Buddy” (another scout) during the Welcome Show and they are supposed to stay together during the activity portion of the night. We understand that scouting organizations may have a different policy when it comes to how many adults must be with a scout at all times. Please feel free to abide by your organization’s policies. We understand and respect that you may require two adults from your troop or pack to go with the groups when they are dismissed and that is completely acceptable. We just need most of the adults in the adult briefing portion of the Welcome Show.
Your role as a troop or pack leader and parent is very important during the Camp-In. The activities are designed for you to participate with your scouts and enjoy this unique experience together. Please participate in the activities with your scouts and help them make memories that will last for a life time!
Instructors are going to rely on you to participate and be a part of the activities. They will interact with you as well and will get you involved so “be prepared”.
The Instructors also need your help with maintaining discipline and attention of the scouts.
We will have a refreshment area for you where there will be coffee, soda and hot and cold water available to you throughout the evening.

PACKING LIST

As provided by Space Center Houston.

What to Bring

Back packs, duffle bags or small roller suitcases “carry-on” size luggage is ideal.
Sleeping bag and sleeping pad (sleeping pad goes under your sleeping bag) Sleeping pads are highly recommended as we do not allow air mattresses and the floor is carpeted, but still hard.
Pillows and extra blankets as the air conditioning does get cold, even in summer, so it is always a good idea to bring an extra blanket.
Basic toiletries such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, and hair brushes are ideal and wet wipes are a great way to freshen up since we do not have showers.
Pajamas.
Clothing should be comfortable. Class A uniforms are not required. Class B t-shirts are required. Good walking shoes are recommended.
Charging banks are a great idea and allow you to charge your device without an outlet. There are some outlets available in the sleeping area as well as charging stations around the center but you are not guaranteed a sleeping location near an outlet.
Money for gift shop.
Food/snacks if you have food allergies or are unable to partake in the provided meals, you may bring your own. However, NO food or drinks can be consumed in sleeping areas.
Medical forms for every scout and adult are required to be brought to the Camp-In. The troop/pack leader should have them readily available if needed for an emergency.

**What NOT to bring**

Please keep in mind that you will be sleeping with other troops and packs and we ask that you show the same courtesy and respect to them that you would like them to show you. Think of it as an indoor-camping trip and the camp site, just like in the forest, has a few rules so that everyone has a safe and enjoyable time.

Air mattresses and cots. The only exception to this rule is if you or someone in your party has a medical condition.
Glow sticks. (Flash lights and phone lights are ok)
Electrical hair appliances. (Blow dryers, straighteners, curling irons etc.)
Only registered scouts and their leaders/chaperones attend a Camp-In. Chaperones are not permitted to bring any children who are not registered or who do not meet the designated age level or gender requirements for a camp-in.

Medical Conditions

If you have a medical condition that does not allow you to sleep on the floor and you need to bring an air mattress or cot, please let us know as soon as possible before the camp so that we can accommodate you.
If you need to bring a CPAP machine, let us know so that we can place you near an outlet.
If you have any allergies to food, you can view the current menu and list of ingredients that will be offered during the Camp-In, on our website at any time. If you need to bring your own food, you may do so.
Our Instructors and Camp-In staff will not administer any medication to anyone. If a child is bringing prescription medicine that needs to be taken during the camp, then either their parent or guardian must administer it to them.

First Aid

We do have a first aid kit with very basic supplies for minor injuries or illnesses. The Security department also has a fully equipped first aid kit.
Pack leaders will have all of the medical forms for every scout and parent readily available in case of an emergency.

NASA Overnight Trip