Youth Camps

Residential Camps – completed applications must be submitted by 3 May 2026

• Teen Aviation Camp: 20 – 26 June 2026 – USAF Academy, Colorado Springs CO
• Space Camp Session 1: 21 – 26 June 2026 – US Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL
• Space Camp Session 2: 5 – 10 July 2026 – US Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL
• Space Camp Session 3: 26 – 31 July 2026 – US Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL
• Space Camp Session 4: 2 – 7 August 2026 – US Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL

Eligible Applicants must meet each of the following requirements:

• Dependent of: Department of the Air Force (DAF) Active Duty, Active Duty military assigned to/living
  on a Department of the Air Force installation or DAF-led Joint Base, Air Force Reserve (AFR), Air
  Force National Guard (ANG), DoW Civilian Employees (APF or NAF) assigned to/working on a
  Department of the Air Force installation or DAF-led Joint Base, or Air Force Retirees (on a space
  available basis)
  • Have a valid picture ID (ex. military ID, driver’s license, school ID, or passport)
  • Have not previously attended the camp for which they are currently applying
  • 12 – 18 years of age NOTE: High School Graduates are not eligible
  • Please Note: Applicants for Teen Aviation, must have completed their Freshman or Sophomore year of
    high school in School Year 2025/2026 (rising Sophomore or Junior for School Year 2026/2027)

Priority Consideration for Applicants:

1. Dependent with a parent/guardian who meets the criteria in item 2 or 3 AND whose parent/ guardian
   was deployed in support of a contingency operation for a minimum of 30 calendar days within the
   past six months
   2. Dependent of Active Duty Air Force/Space Force or other Active Duty assigned to/living on DAF
   installation or DAF-led Joint Base
   3. Dependent of AFR or ANG on Title 10 or Title 32 Orders
   4. Dependent of AFR or ANG
   5. Dependent of DoW Civilians (APF/NAF) assigned to/working on DAF installation or DAF-led Joint Base
   6. Tie Breaker:
   • date of birth, with priority provided to eldest applicants first
   • previous camp attendance, with priority provided to those who have not previously attended
   7. SPACE AVAILABLE BASIS: Dependents of Air Force/Space Force Retirees

Completed PDF applications must be submitted by a PARENT OR GUARDIAN through the DAF Youth
Camps workflow box: AFSVC.SVPY.Camps@us.af.mil 

PLEASE NOTE: We are UNABLE to access shared and/or cloud-based documents. All applications MUST be
submitted as an attachment.

Parents should receive an auto-reply message from the workflow box to confirm receipt of the application.

Teen Aviation camp is designed for teens 14-16 years of age who completed their Freshman or Sophomore year in high school for the 2025/2026 School Year. The goal of the camp is to build character, leadership and gain the US Air Force Academy experience. The week-long camp 20-26 June will focus on careers in aviation, engineering, science and leadership. Participants stay at the USAFA prep dorms and use force support squadron facilities during the camp, to include the dining facility, fitness center, aero club and bowling center.

Participants will arrive in Colorado Springs, Colorado between 0900-1500 hours on Saturday, 20 June 2026, and must depart before 1400 hours on Friday, 26 June 2026. Departure flights should be no earlier than 0800 and no later than 1500. USAF Academy Youth Programs staff will pick up and drop off participants ONLY at the Colorado Springs International Airport (COS). Any camp attendees traveling by car, should make arrangements to arrive after 1400 on Saturday, 20 June 2026 and to depart no later than 0900 on Friday, 26 June, 2026.

PLEASE NOTE: If selected, transportation costs to/from Colorado Springs, Colorado and spending money are the responsibility of the participants. Lodging, meals, and all program expenses are centrally funded and begin once participants arrive at the camp.

Space Camp provides youth/teens, ages 12 – 14 & 15 – 18, opportunities to explore careers as astronauts. Youth/Teens may apply for different Academies (see below for descriptions). Space Camp is conducted at the US Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, Alabama. Limited scholarships for four select sessions. All applicants must be age-eligible for the chosen camp on or before the first day of attendance. Please note, high school graduates are NOT eligible. Applications will be accepted for the following listed space camps:

Camps for Ages 12-14: Space Academy, Mach II Aviation, and Cyber Camp Focus on aeronautics, propulsion and aviation history with an unmanned aerial vehicle simulator to reinforce lessons learned at static displays and artifacts. Cyber Camp delves into the world of cyber technologies through blended learning, hands-on experiences and challenges introducing careers in the cyber field.

• Session 1: 21-26 June, 2026
  • Space Academy (ages 12-14)
  • Aviation Challenge, Mach II (ages 12-14)
    
• Session 2: 5-10 July, 2026
  • Space Academy (ages 12-14)
  • Aviation Challenge, Mach II (ages 12-14)
    
• Session 3: 26-31 July, 2026
  • Space Academy (ages 12-14)
    
• Session 4: 2-7 August, 2026
  • Aviation Challenge Mach II (ages 12-14)
  • US Cyber Academy (ages 12-14)

Camps for ages 15-18: Advanced Space Academy, Mach III Aviation, and Advanced Cyber Academy Reinforces leadership, teamwork and decision-making skills in an immersive F-18 cockpit simulator used for mission planning with real-time data to a command center during mission execution. Additional camp experiences include wilderness survival skills and orienteering.

• Session 1: 21-26 June, 2026
  • Advanced Space Academy (ages 15-18)
    
• Session 2: 5-10 July, 2026
  • Advanced Space Academy (ages 15-18)
  • Aviation Challenge, Mach III (ages 15-18)
  • US Advanced Cyber Academy (ages 15-18)
• Session 3: 26-31 July, 2026
  • US Advanced Cyber Academy (ages 15-18)
    
• Session 4: 2-7 August, 2026
  • Aviation Challenge Mach III (ages 15-18)

Travel Logistics: Participants must arrange travel to ensure arrival in Huntsville, AL no later than 1330 hours on
the Sunday of the camp session and must arrange to depart no earlier than 1500 hours on the Friday of the camp
session. The ONLY exception is for OCONUS participants traveling from Europe or Asia, who may arrive in
Huntsville, AL on the Saturday prior to the first day of the camp session. US Space & Rocket Space Center camp staff will pick up and drop off campers at the Huntsville International Airport (HSV).

PLEASE NOTE: If selected, transportation costs to/from Huntsville, Alabama and spending money are the responsibility of the participants. Lodging, meals, and all program expenses are centrally funded and begin once participants arrive at the camp.