Experience Chabot like never before with our exciting Girls Overnight! With a program specifically designed for grades 4-5, this special solar adventure offers hands-on STEM activities, exclusive exhibit explorations, and guided night sky observations with our expert astronomers.
Pack your sleeping bag and get ready for a cosmic night full of discovery and fun!
SCOUTS, SCHOOLS, AND YOUTH GROUPS
To complete your ticket registration, please fill out a questionnaire for each participant. All required information must be provided at the time of purchase.
If you are registering a large group and prefer to process all tickets together rather than individually, you are welcome to contact us to arrange a group reservation.
Please note: If your party includes youth attendees with specific IEP assistance needs requiring additional chaperones, please inform us in advance by emailing Overnights@chabotspace.org.
Group leaders: You may contact us to receive a roster of your registered guests up to 48 hours prior to the visit.
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Meal preferences: If you do not complete this information at the time of ordering, please submit the information by separate roster no less than 14 days prior to visiting. Changes are not permitted after the deadline. Meals are served buffet style and include meat, vegetarian, vegan and gluten free if specific during your ticket purchase.
Please communicate all questions through your group leader. The group leader is responsible for communicating the policies and expectations to all their attendees. It is the group leader’s duty to ensure that all members of their group understand and adhere to Chabot Space & Science Center’s safety guidelines and procedures throughout their visit.
INDIVIDUAL TICKET BUYERS
To the safety of all of our guests at the Camp-Ins, adults who purchase tickets without a child will not be granted entry and will not receive a refund. To enter the Camp-in, adults must be accompanied by children and children must be accompanied by an adult.
AGE REQUIREMENTS & CHAPERONES
The minimum age requirement to participate in the Cosmic Camp-In program is 6 years old at the time of the event. Co-ed siblings ages 4 and up and accompanying adults may attend with an accompanying ticket.
For all Overnights, a minimum chaperone-to-youth ratio of 1:7 is required. Teachers and chaperones are responsible for supervising youths at all times during their visit. Chaperones must ensure that children under their care maintain respectful behavior and adhere to program guidelines throughout the event.
Chaperone Guide: Download our chaperone guide for a list of FAQ's and what to bring: SURVIVAL GUIDE.
ARRIVAL & PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Parking at Chabot is free, but we strongly advise against leaving valuables in your vehicle. Chabot is not responsible for unattended belongings.
Bus Parking: After dropping off guests, buses may park along Joaquin Miller Road, with space available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Travel Time & Delays: Please allow extra travel time to account for traffic, particularly in rainy conditions. If you will arrive after the program has started and the check-in window has closed at the Observatory at 5:55PM, proceed to enter via the front doors to the Center.
Check-in: 5:15PM. Please bring your electronic or paper ticket for scanning at check-in. Early departures are allowed. Programming begins promptly at 5:50 PM, and late arrivals may miss portions of the experience.
Group leaders should check in with Chabot staff on behalf of their group. Chaperones are responsible for monitoring their group during this process.
Guests should arrive promptly for check-in to begin at 5:15 PM. Early check-in is not available before 5:15 PM while the museum remains open to the public.
Luggage: Guests should be prepared to transport their luggage from the parking garage to the check-in location at the Observatory, which may require walking up to approximately 780 feet around the facility. Groups should plan accordingly to ensure a smooth arrival. ADA support for luggage transport is available for guests who require assistance at the front of the building.
Gift Shop Policies: Youth visitors must always be accompanied by a chaperone at a ratio of 1:5 while inside the gift shop. To ensure a safe and enjoyable shopping experience, no more than 20 youths are permitted in the gift shop at one time.
Patches/Badges: Available from the front desk prior to departure.
Prior to the visit date, the following documentation must be submitted:
- CONSENT FORM: One form per participant. A link to the form will be provided via email and is also available on the website for parents/guardians to complete. The consent form must be submitted at least 14 days before the visit.
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MEAL ROSTER: This roster is used to communicate dietary restrictions and food allergies to the caterer. It must be submitted to Overnights@chabotspace.org at least 14 days before the Camp-In.
A family-friendly catered camp dinner and a continental breakfast are included in the Camp-In. Meals include a meat option, a vegan option, and a gluten-free option. The Center will make reasonable efforts to accommodate additional food allergies when communicated through the meal roster in advance.
If unspecified, meat is the default option. Dinner catering is currently provided by La Casa de Maria, but is subject to change. Breakfast is served continental-style and includes a selection of items like croissants, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, fruit, coffee, tea, juice.
It is the responsibility of the group leader or chaperone to submit an accurate meal roster, including any dietary restrictions and food allergies, at least 14 days prior to the event. Group leaders and chaperones must ensure they inquire with staff and caterers about any special meals ordered in advance for campers with allergy requirements.
Chabot Space & Science Center does not provide refunds for meals that are not consumed, and leftover food is not available for take-home.
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at Camp-Ins.
The Café concessions will be closed during your visit. While dinner and breakfast will be provided, we recommend bringing additional snacks to ensure you have everything you need throughout your stay. To maintain a safe environment for all guests, please ensure that any snacks brought from home are nut-free and be mindful of fellow campers.
SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS
Sleeping spaces are communal. Eye masks and earplugs are recommended due to lighting and ambient noise.
Groups will be pre-assigned sleeping areas based on group size. Assignments will be provided during the orientation. Sleeping is not permitted in doorways, walking paths, or inside the Planetarium. While the museum will make reasonable efforts to place group requests together, all guests should expect a communal sleeping environment.
If weather conditions permit, guests may choose to sleep outside in the Courtyard. The outdoor Courtyard is the only location tents are permissible. Those opting to sleep outdoors must prepare accordingly and bring appropriate gear, such as tents, sleeping bags, and weather-appropriate clothing.
For the safety and accessibility of all guests, some lights in the museum must remain on throughout the night. These include lights for emergency egress routes, restrooms, access points, stairwells, and certain exhibits, as well as fixtures that are not manually controlled by staff. Full darkness cannot be guaranteed, and groups understand staff may not turn off additional lights.
Overnight programs take place in large, shared spaces, and while quiet hours are scheduled to encourage a restful environment, some ambient noise is expected. Movement and occasional sounds from other guests will occur throughout the night. For those sensitive to light and sound, we recommend bringing an eye mask and earplugs for a more comfortable experience.
SAFETY, SECURITY, AND CHECK-OUT
Early departure is permitted; however, for the safety and security of all guests, exterior doors may not be unlocked or propped open. Guests departing early must notify staff or security prior to leaving.
All exterior doors must remain closed and locked overnight from 10:00 PM-7:00 AM. After lights out, guests must remain in designated sleeping areas, except when using the restroom or in the event of an emergency. Chaperones are responsible for their students, including quiet hours (10:00 PM-7:00 AM). In the event of an emergency, guests must follow staff instructions and proceed to the nearest designated exit or safety area.
Guests are required to pack up belongings, clean their sleeping area, and remove all gear from the museum before the departure time of 9:00 AM. All personal items must be taken home, as Chabot is not responsible for lost or forgotten belongings. If an item is lost during your visit, please check with the front desk to inquire about Lost & Found.
Cellular reception in the Oakland Hills may be poor depending on your carrier. However, Wi-Fi is available and password-free via the network "Chabot-Guest." Guests may not use museum administrative phones or computers. In case of an emergency, alert Chabot staff or security immediately for assistance in contacting help.
PACKING GUIDELINES AND PROHIBITED ITEMS
To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable overnight experience, guests should bring a sleeping bag, pillow, pajamas, comfortable clothing, toiletries (such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant), a flashlight, and a reusable water bottle. Small sleeping pads, air mattresses, eye masks, and earplugs are also recommended for added comfort. Tents are allowable if planning to sleep outside in the Courtyard. Chabot Space & Science Center provides restroom facilities that include men's, women's, and all-gender restrooms for the convenience of all guests. Each restroom is equipped with sinks, but please note that there are no shower facilities available on the premises.
For the safety and enjoyment of all participants, certain items are not permitted, including alcohol or any intoxicating substances, weapons of any kind, large cots, noisy toys, radios, speakers, cooking devices (such as portable stoves or open flames), shoes with wheels, and valuables or items of sentimental importance. Chabot is not responsible for lost or stolen belongings.
Guests are welcome to charge devices in any available power outlets, but it is recommended to bring portable chargers, as access is not guaranteed. Please do not unplug anything in the museum.
EXHIBITS, PLANETARIUM, AND TELESCOPE VIEWING
The Camp-In itinerary includes access to the interactive exhibits, telescope viewing, and Planetarium shows. However, due to periodic exhibit rotations and maintenance, the availability of specific exhibits on your visit date cannot be guaranteed. Chabot will make reasonable efforts to provide comparable exhibit and program experiences in the event of any changes.
Telescope access is dependent on weather conditions. Your group will have the opportunity to look through Chabot's three historic telescopes if the weather permits. If inclement weather prevents telescope viewing, Chabot will make every effort to offer alternative indoor programming.
For Planetarium shows, doors will close at the scheduled show time and there is no late seating or re-entry. The doors automatically lock behind guests for safety in the dark space. If a youth visitor needs to leave the Planetarium, they must be accompanied by a chaperone. Food and beverages are strictly prohibited inside the Planetarium and telescopes.
As a public, family-friendly organization, Chabot Space & Science Center is committed to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for visitors, staff, and volunteers, free from discrimination and harassment. Any individual or group that fails to comply with reasonable safety requests, engages in harassing, discriminatory, or threatening behavior, or uses abusive language that compromises the dignity of others may be required to leave the premises. If such behavior escalates, Chabot reserves the right to cancel the reservation in advance or terminate the visit without refund.
Guests are responsible for treating the equipment, exhibits, and the facilities at Chabot Space & Science Center in a respectful manner. Damaged or lost items may be subject to replacement fees.
By participating in the Cosmic Camp-In program, you and your group members grant Chabot Space & Science Center permission to use any photographs or video footage taken during the event for promotional purposes, including but not limited to brochures, websites, and social media.
CANCELLATIONS, REFUNDS, AND RESCHEDULES
A Camp-In requires a minimum of 100 guests. Chabot will make reasonable efforts meet this requirement. Chabot reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a Cosmic Camp-In due to low attendance, and the ticket holder will be notified no later than 30 days in advance if this occurs.
There are no refunds or price reductions for unplanned absences or overestimated group attendance.
If you would like to transfer your ticket(s) or reschedule to another date, please contact Overnights@chabotspace.org as soon as possible.
Program Information: Sharing the Sun - Space Science Investigator
Designed for Grades 4-5
Juniors will build their solar science skills through hands-on exploration and interactive investigations inspired by real NASA missions. Participants will:
- Discover how the Sun generates light and heat
- Explore sunspots, solar flares, and the Sun’s corona
- Model how energy travels from the Sun to Earth
- Investigate how scientists use tools and spacecraft like MUSE and PUNCH to observe solar activity
- Analyze simple solar data and visual evidence to understand patterns in solar behavior
- Create solar-inspired art connecting science and creativity
This immersive overnight experience fulfills components of the Junior Space Science Investigator Badge through Chabot’s museum-based adaptation of astronomy programming.
For all other questions about the Camp-In, email Overnights@ChabotSpace.org Wednesday-Sunday. Please note staff are not available by phone on Camp-In days.