Community Programs
Summer Camp
Registration for Summer Camp 2025 will open in January 31, 2025 at 6:00 a.m. CST!
BE PREPARED! Our registration portal is not compatible on all cell phones. It works best on a computer, laptop or tablet. If you have any issues using our online registration site, please clear your internet browser cache first - sometimes this is the fix. However, if that does not resolve the issue, you will need to find another device to use for registration.
Take a look at our 2025 summer camp offerings below!
Astrotot Camp is offered to students rising into Kindergarten - 1st grade. Each session is two hours in length with hands-on activities centered around the session theme.
Space Art June 12, 2025
Space Animals June 26, 2025
Space Chef July 10, 2025
Science Lab July 17, 2025
9:00-11:00 a.m. or 12:30-2:30 p.m.
$20/session
Age: Rising Kindergarten-1st Gr
This one-day camp includes many hands-on space and science activities centered around the planets. Choose one of three dates offered:
June 2, 2025
June 10, 2025
July 8, 2025
9a-2:30p
$35
Age: Rising 2nd-3rd Gr
This one-day camp includes many hands-on space and science activities centered around stars and constellations. It also includes a visit to our STARLAB portable planetarium. Choose one of three dates offered:
June 3, 2025
June 11, 2025
July 9, 2025
9a-2:30p
$35
Age: Rising 2nd-3rd Gr
Using life, physical, earth and space sciences, participants will use LEGOs as they journey through building and programming robotic 3D models. This is the perfect first step for young robot experts in the making! This two-day camp was formerly called Robotics: WeDo Science. Choose one of two sessions offered:
June 2-3, 2025
July 14-15, 2025
9a-3:00p
$125
Age: Rising 2nd-3rd Gr
Using space as a theme, master robotics systems created by LEGO! Campers will design, build and program their robotic creations to maneuver various space themed challenges on places like Mars! Choose one of two sessions offered:
June 9-11, 2025
July 21-23, 2025
9a-3:30p
$165
Age: Rising 4th-6th Gr
Become a master LEGO builder and programmer! Campers will build on previous learned skills to maneuver through various space themed challenges on the Moon.
This three day camp has a firm pre-requisite*.
June 16-18, 2025
9a-3:30p
$165
Age: Rising 4th-7th Gr (PLUS must have attended pre-requisite camp as stated above)
At secret agent training you will develop a disguise for cover, make and break codes, discover escape and evasion techniques, create and use spy gadgets and uncover the science behind spying. Choose one of two sessions offered for this two day camp:
June 16-17, 2025
July 21-22, 2025
9a-3:30p
$105
Age: Rising 3rd-5th Gr
Young Jedi will want to attend this special camp created just for them! Participate in activities and experiments, including light sabers and carbonite, based on the popular movie series.
June 4-5, 2025
9a-3:30p
$105
Age: Rising 4th-7th Gr
After learning about the basics of rocketry, participants will build and launch several different types of rockets including eggstronaut water rockets and model rockets.
July 14-15, 2025
9a-3:30p
$125
Age: Rising 4th-7th Gr
Be among the next generation of space travelers to arrive on the Moon! Campers will journey to the Moon as they fly a Lunar Quest™ mission in our hands-on simulator. They will explore just what it takes for astronauts to survive in the Moon's desolate environment.
June 25, 2025
9a-3:30p
$45
Age: Rising 4th-7th Gr
Fly a mission to Mars! Campers will travel to the Red Planet during an Expedition Mars™ mission in our hands-on simulator. After arriving on Mars, they will build a life-size colony where they will live, work and train like real planetary astronauts.
July 23-24, 2025
9a-3:30p
$125
Age: Rising 4th-7th Gr
After learning the basics of driving and coding a Sphero Bolt (advanced robotic ball), engineers will participate in activities such as Maze Craze, making Spherographs and a Sphero Battle Bot competition.
July 7-9, 2025
9a-3:30p
$155
Age: Rising 5th-8th Gr
Have you ever thought of all the things drones are used for? Join us to explore not only the fun side of drones, but also many other uses as well. Become a drone expert as you learn to fly drones! Participate in other activities such as coding techniques, flight challenges and team flying.
July 16-17, 2025
9a-3:30p
$105
Age: 7th-9th Gr
Learn all about how astronauts train underwater to simulate working in space! Participants will learn the basics of astronaut training, neutral buoyancy, density and SCUBA. On the second day of camp we will travel to Mermet Springs where trainees will experience SCUBA one-on-one with a certified instructor. Participants must be able to swim and medically fit to dive. SCUBA gear is provided.
June 23-24, 2025
9a-3:30p
$155
Age: 12-15 years old
Mandatory Meeting
May 5, 2025
6-7p
Challenger Learning Center
What makes an airplane fly? Learn the basics of flight and apply them in different hands-on activities and simulations. After you have shown the right stuff, take flight in a real airplane departing from Midwest Aviation. While in the air you will become an actual pilot when you get to take the yoke and fly the plane.
July 7-9, 2025
9a-3:30p
$200
Age: Rising 9th-12th Gr
Have a question about summer camp?
You may find the answer below!
Registration opens in January 31, 2025 at 6:00 a.m. CST!
Set your alarms as many of our camps fill within minutes!
At this time, we do not have any scholarship funding available.
If your child is attending a full day camp, they must bring a lunch with drink from home.
Summer camp t-shirts are available for purchase during the registration process. T-shirts are $16, plus tax and will be given to your child on the first day, of the first camp they attend. No size changes or refunds on summer camp t-shirts after April 26, 2025.
All of our camps will have a waitlist opportunity if a camp is full. Should a camp be full, you will not be able to add it to your cart. You will be prompted to add your child to the waitlist.
Should a spot open up at a camp you have waitlisted for, we will contact you immediately.
- 100% refund - cancellations received at least 30 days prior to first day of registered program, less 10% cancellation fee
- 50% refund - cancellations received within the 30 day window of registered program
- No refund - missed program or cancellations received on the day of registered program
- If child is sick and cannot attend, a doctor’s note must be provided for a full refund, less a 10% cancellation fee.
- No refund - online processing fees
- Refunds will be processed within 7-10 days of cancellation date.
- No refund or size changes on camp shirts after April 26, 2025.
CAMP HOGWARTS
This program is now full and registration is closed.
Saturday, March 22, 2025
9a-12p
Current 4th-7th Grade
$35
Have you always wanted to attend Hogwarts just like Harry? Now you can! Experience the world of Harry Potter as we immerse ourselves into the science behind the magic. After sorting into houses, we will pick out our very own wands, create “potions” and even visit the Challenger Center’s “Astronomy Tower” to view the stars all while making STEM connections to the wizarding world. Bring your best adventurous spirit for a magical time and feel free to dress up in anything Harry Potter!
Program Cancellation Policy
100% refund - cancellations received at least 15 days prior to the program start date
No refund - cancellations received within 15 days of the program start date
No refund - for missed programs
Refunds are issued in the original form of payment within 5-10 business days.
Take FLight with wpsd meteorologists
Registration opens Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 6:00 a.m. CST!
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
6:00-8:00p
Ages 9 to 99!
$18
Take flight with WPSD Local 6 meteorologists Trent Okerson and Nolan Cain on an out of this world experience at the Challenger Learning Center! You will become an astronaut working in Mission Control and the Space Station on a mission to study and learn more about comets. However, goals can quickly change and problems may have to be solved!
This mission is ideal for anyone who is aged 9 years or older! The Operation Comet mission would make a unique family outing, date night or learning experience for anyone. There is no motion to cause dizziness or sickness. All parts of the simulator are accessible. Be ready to use computers, read and follow directions and conduct some hands-on science to help make the mission a success. Join us for this out-of-the-world experience by registering today!
Program Cancellation Policy
100% refund - cancellations received at least 15 days prior to the program start date
No refund - cancellations received within 15 days of the program start date
No refund - for missed programs
Refunds are issued in the original form of payment within 5-10 business days.
HOMESCHOOL DAY 2025
Registration opens Monday, April 3 at 6:00 a.m. CST!
Lunar Quest Mission
Thursday, May 1, 2025
1:00-3:00 p.m.
Age: 10-15
$18
Become an astronaut by working in our Space Station and Mission Control! You will conduct a simulated mission to fly to the moon and help NASA find the best place to build a permanent lunar base. This is a drop off and return to pick up program.
Rocketry 101
Thursday, May 1, 2025
1:00-3:00 p.m.
Age: 6-9
$15
What makes a rocket fly? Become a real rocketeer by building and launching paper rockets, straw rockets and water bottle rockets to answer this question. This is a drop off and return to pick up program.
Program Cancellation Policy
100% refund - cancellations received at least 15 days prior to the program start date
No refund - cancellations received within 15 days of the program start date
No refund - for missed programs
Refunds are issued in the original form of payment within 5-10 business days.
Club Challenger
Registration for Spring 2025 session is now closed. Our Fall 2025 session information will be released this summer. Stay tuned!
BE PREPARED! Our registration portal is not compatible on all cell phones. It works best on a computer, laptop or tablet. If you have any issues using our online registration site, please clear your internet browser cache first - sometimes this is the fix. However, if that does not resolve the issue, you will need to find another device to use for registration.
Explore the amazing wonders of science during our after school program, Club Challenger. Students will join us at the Challenger Learning Center once a month to participate in exciting, hands-on activities related to space and science.
February 11, 2025 - Artemis Challenge
March 11, 2025 - Your Body in Microgravity
April 15, 2025 - Growing Plants in Space
May 6, 2025 - Water Recovery & Recycling
4:15-5:45 p.m.
Membership Fee $60 (covers all four sessions)
Explore the amazing wonders of science during our after school program, Club Challenger. Students will join us at the Challenger Learning Center once a month to participate in exciting, hands-on activities related to space and science.
February 18, 2025 - Artemis Challenge
March 18, 2025 - Your Body in Microgravity
April 22, 2025 - Growing Plants in Space
May 13, 2025 - Water Recovery & Recycling
4:15-5:45 p.m.
Membership Fee $60 (covers all four sessions)
Registration for our spring semester is now closed.
We do not offer a wait list for Club Challenger as we rarely receive cancellations.
Should a spot open up, we would post it on our social media accounts as first come, first served.
General Refund Policy
- 100% refund - cancellations received at least 15 days prior to the program start date, less 10% cancellation fee
- No refund - cancellations received within 15 days of the program start date
- No refund - for missed sessions
- No refund - of online registration process fee
- Refunds are issued in the original form of payment.
- Refunds are issued within 5-10 business days.
Trivia Night
We had a very successful event in 2025, check back in the fall for our 2026 date!
- Team Fee $120/team of 6
- 10 rounds of 10 questions
- Prize for top 3 winning teams
- Popcorn and soft drinks provided (while supplies last)
- Outside food and non-alcoholic drinks welcome
- No outside alcoholic drinks allowed, cash bar available
- Mulligan Fee $20/5 mulligans
- Event will close at 35 tables
All proceeds benefit the Challenger Learning Center at Paducah. The Challenger Learning Center, located on the campus of West Kentucky Community & Technical College, is a non-profit organization that offers simulated space missions and hands-on STEM education to schools, corporations and community organizations.
Programs and Presentations
The Challenger Learning Center at Paducah offers a variety of programs and presentations for people of all ages! Bring your group to the Challenger Learning Center, or let us come to you.
- Library story hours
- Youth groups
- School clubs
- Scout groups
- Daycare programs
- Summer programs
- Community groups
- School presentations
- Living in space
- Rocketry
- Constellations
- Planets
- Planetarium show
- Anything space or STEM related!
Give us a call at (270) 534-3101 or send us an email at sarahj.davis@kctcs.edu
West Kentucky
RCX Regional Tournament
Check back soon for all the details about the 2026 challenge!
West Kentucky Community & Technical College
Clemens Fine Arts Center
Questions? Contact Mellisa Duncan at (270) 534-3097 or mellisa.duncan@kctcs.edu.
