Parent FAQs

Yes. However, applications for financial aid must be received prior to April 1 for that year’s summer program. Please contact the AstroCamp Registrar for an application and more information.

All cabin counselors are current university students with a background working with children. Applicants go through a rigorous hiring process including multiple interviews, a background check, and drug testing. Many cabin counselors were even campers themselves!

Counselors go through an intensive 9-day training program prior to any campers arriving at camp. They are trained in team-building, group-leading, child development, safety, and being sensitive to individual camper’s needs and life experiences. Counselors complete training with the tools and knowledge to support campers through common camp challenges such as homesickness, trying new things, and friendship building.

AstroCamp takes pride in hiring the highest quality staff. A majority of the AstroCamp instructors are required to have at least a Bachelors’s Degree in Physics or Astronomy. Our Instructors come to AstroCamp from all over the United States and occasionally from overseas. Safety is one of our primary goals therefore all instructors are required to have First Aid, CPR-PR, and Waterfront Lifeguard certifications as well as comprehensive on-site training.

AstroCamp Counselors will meet your camper at their gate, help them to get their luggage, and accompany them on a bus to AstroCamp where they will meet their cabin counselor. There is an additional charge for the airport shuttle service. Please see the Getting to AstroCamp page for more details.

Your camper can write to you from camp via our Bunk Note email system or through postage mail.  See the Contact Your Camper for more information.

Please DO NOT send care packages, as they will be returned. If your camper needs something (e.g. toothbrush, pillow, shoes, etc), please contact the camp directly.

We request that you call your child only in the case of an emergency at 951.659.6062. We strongly believe in the benefits of campers and parents disconnecting from each other, other than letters. Incoming parent phone calls can be a challenge because campers are busy in the program from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Campers are only allowed to call home with the knowledge and consent of the Summer Camp Director.

Due to the remote location of our facility, and for the safety of all our campers, we do not allow parental visits during camp.

In case of an emergency or any essential communication, we are happy to arrange a time for your camper to be near a phone, as appropriate. Our Camp Secretary is on duty from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday and a counselor staffs the phone every night from 6:30-9 pm and on weekends.

Additionally, the directors have a camp phone on in their house 24 hours a day. Our number is 951.659.6062.

We will make every effort to accommodate any special requirements your camper may have. Please contact the Summer Camp Director, Diana Huff, as soon as possible and she will discuss any needs and issues with you.

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the AstroCamp Registrar or Summer Camp Director at the business office: 909-625-6194.

Due to the elevation, the days are often mild (mid to upper 70s) but the nights can get cold. We recommend packing long pants and a sweatshirt that the camper can wear to evening activities.

Please review the packing list under Prepare for Camp page to pack appropriately.

If you have any special dietary restrictions, please provide information in your camper registration so that we can make special accommodations.

We provide a vegetarian option at every meal. We also have a salad bar at both lunch and dinner. Dietary information is gathered in health history forms and reviewed by the counselor and the Kitchen Director so that our kitchen staff can prepare appropriate options at meals.

We deal with food allergies every day. Our kitchen team is very cognizant of the ingredients that we use and makes sure to communicate that with counselors and campers.  Please complete the Health History form in full detail.  Your camper’s counselor will review before camp and make the kitchen aware. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Camp Director.

The pool averages 84 degrees throughout the year.

We do have a medical professional on the premises for our summer programs. The Health Center is where all prescription and over-the-counter medications are stored and dispensed by our camp nurse. Additionally, our staff holds certifications in first aid, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, and Lifeguarding.

For more serious issues we can contact the local paramedics who will arrange transport to the local clinic or hospital. The typical EMS response time to our facility is 6-10 minutes.

Students with asthma participate in our program all the time. It is critical for students with asthma to bring their inhaler with them to every program, including programs such as Microgravity and Day Hikes. Without their inhaler, participation in the program may be limited

At AstroCamp, we believe strongly in creating an inclusive and supportive environment.   We want to allow campers and staff to be their authentic self free of judgment and harassment.   Please review our Camper & Staff Inclusion Policy.

Guests are housed in heated dorm buildings with several dorm rooms and bathrooms. Each dorm room contains 4-6 bunk beds with mattresses, and the bathrooms contains several sinks, toilets, and showers. More information can be found on our Dorms page.

Each dorm contains individual ‘chaperone bathrooms’ with toilet, sink and shower, which are gender neutral and may be utilized for students on an as-needed basis. There are also gender-neutral bathrooms located around camp and in the dining hall as well.

No, we do not provide bedding. Campers should bring their own sleeping bag and pillow.