Junior Space Week
For students going into 3rd and 4th grades
June 15 - 19, 2026
Registration opens Monday, March 23, 2026
Activities:
Space cadets will build rockets, do science experiments, work together in teams, participate in hands-on STEM activities, visit the planetarium, talk with pilots, learn about airplanes, and so much more! Friday night we celebrate with an ice cream party for the space cadets and their families at the museum!
Schedule:
This is a week-long day camp from Monday to Friday in the afternoons from 1:00pm - 5:00pm. Drop-off and pick-up are at the museum, and we also go to Sparta City Hall, Southside Early Learning Center in Sparta, the Sparta Airport, and the Planetarium at Central High School in La Crosse.
All-inclusive registration fee: $255
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:
Junior 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
- 1:00pm - 1:30pm: Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bicycle Museum, 200 W Main St, Sparta, WI
- 1:30pm - 4:30pm: Sparta City Hall, 201 W Oak St, Sparta, WI
- 4:30pm - 5:00pm: Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bicycle Museum
Wednesday
- 1:00pm - 1:15pm: Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bicycle Museum
- 1:30pm - 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
- 1:00pm - 1:30pm: Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bicycle Museum
- 1:45pm - 3:00pm: Southside Early Learning Center, 1023 Walrath St, Sparta, WI.
Rocket launch!!!! Family and friends are invited to watch. - 3:15pm - 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!
Friday Night Ice Cream Party:
Friday evening at the end of camp we hold an Ice Cream Party to celebrate the week and present each space cadet with a certificate of completion. Space cadets and their families are invited to attend.
Cost:
The cost of camp includes everything the space cadets need for the week: a Junior Space Week t-shirt; which they will receive on the first day and wear every day of camp, snacks, a rocket, and the Friday night ice cream party. The early bird price (from March 23 - April 6, 2026) is $225; after the 6th, the price is $255. Full payment is required at the time of registration.
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, May 4, 2026. You will be notified by Monday, May 11, 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 Junior Space Week. When space cadets arrive at Junior Space Week, they will be presented with their custom Junior Space Week t-shirt, which they will wear every day of camp.
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.
Applications are accepted on a first-come basis, and we do not accept more than 14 registered students (there are two scholarships available, the total capacity for camp is 16 students).
* If we receive more than 14 registrations additional applicants will be added to a waitlist.
Please note Junior Space Week requires a minimum of 8 participants who must be registered by June 1, 2026. If the minimum is not met, the camp may be canceled, and you will receive a refund.
More Junior Space Week pictures on our Facebook page!