HUTCHINSON, Kan. – With summer just around the corner, the Cosmosphere is preparing for a full lineup of science-packed space camps, and many are already filling up fast.
Among the most popular is Mission: Moon Shot, designed for students entering eighth and ninth grades. This overnight camp immerses participants in a futuristic lunar mission, offering hands-on learning experiences in science, teamwork and problem-solving.
Another standout is Mars Academy, a program for incoming seventh and eighth graders. New this year, the camp will feature a mock jury trial focused on “space law.” During their simulated mission to Mars, campers will explore how to establish governance on a new planet, grappling with challenges like theft, broken treaties and the absence of Earth’s legal systems.
“We’re teaching them how to settle on Mars,” said Sherry Treece with the Cosmosphere. “We need laws. Things can go wrong—even in space—and they’ll learn how to hold a trial and work through it.”
Mars Academy costs $720 and includes four overnights in the Hutchinson Community College dorms. Meals are provided through a partnership with the college, and campers walk from campus to the Cosmosphere each day.
For younger campers, Alien Adventure offers a full day camp experience for those entering fifth and sixth grade. Campers will experiment with indie robots that play music as they move over color-coded tiles, combining creativity and coding for a truly hands-on STEM experience. Drop-off is at 9 a.m., with pickup at 5 p.m.
Older students entering ninth and tenth grades can sign up for Astro Lab, held weekly throughout the summer. One of the highlights of this camp is a scuba diving session in Wichita at Amber Waves Diving, where participants explore underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) used in real-world exploration.
Adding to the excitement this summer, astronauts Don Thomas and Steve Swanson are scheduled to visit some of the camps, offering photos, autographs and Q&A sessions with campers.
“It’s so special to see the kids’ faces when an astronaut walks into the room,” Treece said. “They get to talk to someone who has actually been in space.”
Parents and grandparents can explore available camps and register by visiting cosmocamps.org. For more information, call 1-800-397-0330 and ask for Sherry.
“This is a great opportunity for kids from all over—even those visiting family in the area,” Treece added. “The Cosmosphere is truly a one-of-a-kind place in Kansas.”