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Deke Slayton Space Camp Week in Sparta, WI

Deke Slayton Space Week

For students going into 5th - 8th grades
July 27 - 31, 2026

Registration opens Monday, May 4, 2026
 

Activities

Deke Slayton Space Camp

Schedule

Deke Slayton Space Camp

Presenters

All-inclusive registration fee: $455

If you would like to be added to the early contact list for 2026 please contact the museum via email or by calling 608-269-0033.


Locations:

Deke Slayton Space Week is based at the Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bicycle Museum with drop-off and pick-up always at the museum. Bus transportation from the museum to scheduled camp activities will be provided as needed. Our daily locations are as follows:


Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
  • 8:00am - 12:00pm: Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bicycle Museum, 200 W Main St, Sparta, WI
  • 12:00pm - 1:00pm: Mayo Hospital Cafeteria, 310 W Main St, Sparta, WI
  • 1:00pm - 4:30pm: Sparta City Hall, 201 W Oak St, Sparta, WI
  • 4:30pm - 5:00pm: Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bicycle Museum

Wednesday
  • 8:00am - 9:00am: Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bicycle Museum
  • 9:15am - 10:15am: Radio Control Flyers, 18543 Ideal Rd, Sparta, WI
  • 10:30am - 12:00pm: Sparta Aquatic Center, 725 Pine St, Sparta, WI
  • 12:00pm - 1:00pm: Mayo Hospital Cafeteria
  • 1:15pm - 2:15pm: Sparta Airport, 6058 Hangar Way, Sparta, WI
  • 3:00pm - 4:30pm: Planetarium at Central High School, 1801 Losey Blvd S, La Crosse, WI
  • 5:15pm: Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bicycle Museum

Friday
  • 8:00am - 9:00am: Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bicycle Museum
  • 9:15am - 10:30am: Southside Early Learning Center,1023 Walrath St, Sparta, WI 
    Rocket launch!!!!  Family and friends are invited to watch.
  • 10:45am - 12:00pm: Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bicycle Museum
  • 12:00pm - 1:00pm: Mayo Hospital Cafeteria
  • 1:00pm - 5:00pm: Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bicycle Museum

 

Teams:

Your child will have the opportunity to work with all their fellow space cadets throughout the week. We will divide the space cadets into groups of 4 for team-building and leadership activities. Your child will be part of this same group for the whole week; one day as the team leader, and four days as a team member giving every space cadet the chance to lead. Being a team player is vital for an astronaut!

Graduation Dinner:

Friday evening at the end of camp, we hold a graduation ceremony and dinner at the American Legion in Sparta. Retired Astronaut Mark Lee from Viroqua, WI will be there, too! Space cadets and their families are invited to attend.

Deke Slayton Space Camp

Cost:

The cost of camp includes everything the space cadets need for the week: Deke Slayton Space Week t-shirt; which they will receive on the first day and wear every day of camp, drawstring backpack, personalized logbook, water bottle, rocket, lunches, snacks, and the Friday night graduation dinner. The early bird price (from May 4 - May 18, 2026) is $415; after the 18th, the price is $455. You can choose to pay the full amount, or a $200 down payment with the remaining balance due the first day of camp.

Scholarships:

We offer two full scholarships, one to a boy and one to a girl, based on financial need. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee attendance at camp. Scholarship applications are due by 4:30pm Monday, June 15, 2026. You will be notified by Monday, June 22, 2026, whether your application has been accepted or not. There is a $2 application fee.

Space Week Notification:

Approximately 2 weeks before the start of camp, space cadets will receive by mail their official letter requesting them to report to the Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bicycle Museum for the beginning of Deke Slayton Space Week. When space cadets arrive at Deke Slayton Space Week, they will be presented with their custom Deke Slayton Space Week t-shirt; which they will wear every day of camp, drawstring backpack,  water bottle, and personalized logbook.

Phone Numbers:

If you need to contact your child or the camp organizers during camp, you can call the museum at 608-269-0033. Additional phone numbers will be provided upon registration.

Deke Slayton Space Camp

Applications are accepted on a first-come basis, and we do not accept more than 18 registered students (there are two scholarships available, the total capacity for camp is 20 students).

* If we receive more than 18 registrations additional applicants will be added to a waitlist.

Please note Deke Slayton Space Week requires a minimum of 8 participants who must be registered by July 13, 2026. If the minimum is not met, the camp may be canceled, and you will receive a refund.

More Deke Slayton Space Week pictures on our Facebook page!