FAQ ... Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why are camp costs going up?  
    Have you noticed a decline in the number of summer camps in the past few years?  2011 was the high-water mark for camps in Colorado, with over 1,100 day and overnight camps in Colorado.  Retirement of camp founders, Inflation, Covid-19, the increasing cost of operating a camp, and low profit margins are the reasons why. In the summer of 2024, there were fewer than 75 camp organizations in Colorado.  2025 saw a reduction to 54 camps.  Dr. Palmere predicts fewer than 50 dedicated camp organizations serving Metro Denver kids in 2026.

   Space Voyage has been blessed with Dr. Palmere's entrepenaur skills in saving money and getting great deals on t-shirts, equipment and more.  Unfortunately, 2026 will experience 30% to 60% increases for facilites use, long term storage fees, and staff salaries. With increases in the cost of running a camp going up, increases in fees are unavoidable. Premium day camps, like Space Voyage cost $1,000 to $2,700 per 5-day program week. 

Q2. I have a question, who can I call?
     Please call Dr. Palmere, the Camp Director, at 303-985-3143. 

Q3. What about lunch and snacks?
     Students need to bring a non-refrigerated lunch each day and can bring additional snacks to eat throughout the day. The program has many celebrations and edible lessons where we offer snacks and treats. If your child has an allergy, please let us know, and feel free to send your own substitutions. On Monday we have a Gold Fish Social, on Tuesday we make Hot Dog Space Stations, on Wednesday we have an Space Odyssey Ice Cream Cone event or Big Space Ice Cream Mountina, on Thursday students bring their own food to build a small edible space station, and, on Friday we have a Pizza Party Lunch.

All snacks and edibles are provided except Friday pizza. Students will order their pizza on on Friday morning when they arrive. We order large cheese and Pepperoni Pizza, that is 8-cut. Two slices cost $3.50, three slides cost $4.50, four slices cost $5.50. Soda and bottled water at camp are fifty-cents. Students can purchase water or soda at every lunch, or bring their own water bottle. Students have access to a water station to refill water bottles.

Q4. What if my child has allergies?
     Please let us know during registration, and on your Medical Form. If your child travels with an E. pen or medicine, please give this to Dr. Palmere upon arrival. 

Q5. What are the program hours? Can you tell me about the program week?
      Camp sessions are either  four or five consecutive days; Monday through Friday, or Monday through Thursday. We start at 8 am and end at 3:30 pm.  Students can arrive starting at 7:30 am, and we offer free after care until 4:00pm. Students must be picked up by 4:00 pm. Day care fees may be charged for repeated lateness after 4:00pm. If you know you are running late, call camp on our cell phone. See your Arrival Instructions for more information.

Q6.  Where is this Summer Camp?  Do you have a map?
     Space Voyage Summer Camp is located at Ute Meadows Elementary School. Click on map in the nav bar for a Google map and directions. 

Q7. Why is there a provision about moving the camp location to another school?
    Space Voyage rents space from elementary schools in the Jeffco Schools.  We work in good faith to arrange space and contract with the schools. The issue is that sometimes the school district does not know about school construction, summer school location or Summer Day Care (SAP) until spring.  If for whatever reason the school district makes our location unavailable, we will move camp location to another school, within seven (7) miles of Ute Meadows Elenentary.

Q8. Space Voyage is such a great STEM / STEAM program, why don't you have a permanent pavilion?
    Space Voyage was created by Dr. Palmere during the 1987-1988 school year. Our half-day school seminars were offered beginning in 1990, summer camp rolled out in 1991, and Maker Lab Camp weeks started in 2024.  Since 1987, more than 400,000 youth have be inspired, motivated and empowered by the program.  The reason we do not have a permanent pavilion is mostly due to the lack of a financial champion, willing to make it all happen.  We remain an awesome "pop up" pavilion, helping as many kids as possible each year.

Q9. Does Space Voyage offer transportation?
     Transportation to and from each program location is a guardian responsibility.

Q10.  What is included with the camp fees?
     All students will receive two or three T-shirts, a program notebook, use of art supplies and other consumables and edibles during camp. Each student receives a personalized notebook cover displaying their own Crew Mission Patch. All treats, edibles, paper models, and building materials used at camp are included in the camp fee. Space Voyage achievement certificates and earned medals are included in your weekly fee.
    Students can purchase Crew Mission Wall Art, Crew mug and Crew mouse pad during registration or at camp.

Q11.  What is the size of the group and crew size?
    Students work in learning teams, called ‘crews’, while at camp. Crew size is generally four, but can range from one to six. While students work primarily with their Crew during the program day, they can work/play with anyone in the pavilion.
     Class size can vary from 20 to 25 for space camp weeks. Cadet Alpha program are typically limited to 4 per week. If a sessio is closed, please contact Dr. Palmere for assistance. We strive to have one instructor for every four to six students (1:6).

Q12. Do students go outside?
     We do go outside for certain activities, like Stomp Rockets, Bonzi Rockets, Space Odyssey Ice Cream Cone Party, Chalking Spaceships, the Space Shuttle Window, The Gravy Story & Keyboard Tech and more.  We coordinate outside activities with the weather.  We do not go outside if it is raining, high winds, lightning or extremely hot.  Students can bring a cap and sun screen for use during outside activities. We do not wear hats inside the pavilion. Generally, we're only out for 15-32 minutes at a time, 1 to 3 times a day.

Q13. What is your Refund Policy?
     Full refunds, less a $100 administrative fee and additional merchant processing fees, are available if requested before March 31, of the camp year. Partial-half refunds, less a $150 administrative fee and additional merchant processing fees, are offered until May 1st, of the camp year. No refunds after May 2nd, of the camp year. Returned check fee is $40. Replacement receipts are $25 and we can Email you a .pdf as needed, but these will be made available to you through Email and the PARENT PORTAL.  All fees are paid during your online registration.

Q14. Can you help with Child Care Tax Credit?
     Yes. Send your forms, with instructions on what you need signed, and when your child attended, along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Space Voyage, and we will get it back in the mail the same day. We can also send this to you through the PARENT PORTAL, so you can upload it there. Scanned documents without instructions can take a lot longer. You are encouraged to have Dr. Palmere sign your forms during your camp week(s), so bring them with you during your camp week.

Q15. How are the students grouped?
     Crews are formed based on program level, age and conceptual level. Students
attending with friends can be placed on the same crew.     

Q16. Can a student complete a Cadet Level in one week? Can they  Complete more than one Cadet level in a week?
     FOR SPACE CAMP WEEKS:
All Pathfinder Levels and Cadets in Level 1 and Level 2, are designed to be completed in one week. Cadet Levels 3, and above take longer, since more time is needed to achieve and demonstrate competence levels. Cadets can continue in their Level from one camp week to another and from this summer to next summer. Leadership internships can last one or more weeks. Inspired and motivated students sometimes complete Cadet Level 1 and Level 2 in one week. You and your crew work at the pace you choose.
 
Q17. Does Space Voyage offer Scholarships?
     Rarely. Scholarship money may be available from your school, PTOs and school PTSAs. Businesses interested in sponsoring students should call or email Dr. Palmere. Each sponsoring business or group can be listed on our website sponsors page, with a sponsor sign prominently displayed for that week. Anyone wanting a scholarship or donations of camp weeks should mail such requests to Space Voyage, ATTN: CFO at our corporate address: 1504 S johnson Ct, Lakewood, CO 80232. Families that need a payment plan shold contact Dr. Palmere.

Q18. How does each day break down?
     Students may arrive between 7:30 am and 8:00 am, and the Morning Briefing starts promptly at 8:00 am. Morning program runs 8:00 am until lunch, which is generally around 11:20am unless the students and staff prefer otherwise. Afternoon program runs from after lunch until 2:45pm. Students are encouraged to enjoy ‘play-hard’ from 2:45pm until 3:30 pm, as this time allows students to socialize, have fun together and decompress after a productive day. After hours care lasts until 4:00pm. Students must be picked up by 4:00 pm sharp. Later pickups may result in additional child care fees to cover staff overtime.

Q19. Can you give us some program flyers to share at our school?
    Yes. Call Dr. Palmere and he will print one-page flyers for you. It's best to get a paragraph about camp in the school e-newsletter and a link to our website. While we do not print the four pages brochure for distribution, the four page brochure can be posted on your school web site (as a PDF), or you can link to our website. Getting information about our camp on your school website is appreciated.  Our web address is https://spacevoyage.com  Please share information with friends and family.

Q20. What happens if Covid-19 comes back and interrupts in-person camp? What happens if some other calamity causes schools to be closed for the summer?
    In 2020, we were informed on April 1, that all contracts with the schools were cancelled due to Covid-19.  Many refunds were given, and Online and Virtual Classes were offered.  Since March 13, 2020, Dr. Palmere has logged more than 5,112 Zoom Conference sessions.
    This summer, if the schools close, Space Voyage will offer camp Online.  Dr. Palmere will supplement online programming with STEM kits, space models and fun activities.  We hope it will not happen, but we will be prepared.  
     Should in-person camp be cancelled this year, we'll go online.  There will be no refunds for in-person camp cancellation this summer.
     Questions? Call or email Dr. Palmere.
    CLICK HERE FOR REFUNDS AND CANCELLATIONS POLICIES.

Q21. What happens if the week I want to send my child to camp is SOLD OUT?
      When this happens contact us and consider joining a "WAIT LIST."   Click here to go to the wait-list form. Better to call Doc Palmere and see if the instructor group can be increased, allowing more students to enroll.  Space Voyage has many "integration standards." One of these is that we require 100 sq. ft. of floor space per student attending.  With our square footage being 2,600 sq. ft, we can go to 26 as needed.

Q22. I have a question, who can I call?
Please call Dr. Palmere, the Camp Director, at 303-985-3143.
Other Questions?  Please contact us.

Updated: December 19, 2025.