A New Space Camp For Girls In Huntsville

July 2, 2025 - HUNTSVILLE, AL - The Nichelle Nichols Foundation is starting a new space camp specifically for girls at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The focus of the camp will be on outer space, aviation, and robotics for young girls ages 14 to 18. And the cost to attend the camp will be $2,000, but scholarships are available for those interested in attending. The dates for the 2026 camp are January 17th through January 19th.

Some of the activities at the camp include First Contact Mission and how to convey a message of peace to extraterrestrial friends, Occupy Mars since humans will soon be an interplanetary species, and Rocket Launch wherein participants will be building and launching their own model rocket. The space camp cadet coordinator and counselor will be the voice of the ship computer in the animated series, "Star Trek Prodigy". Bonnie Gordon. And, in fact, the camp itself is named after a Star Trek actress, Nichelle Nichols.

A singer and dancer who hailed from a Chicago suburb, Nichelle Nichols sang with Duke Ellington among others. But, she became identified with outer space exploration with her portrayal of the polyglot translator and communications expert, Uhura on the famous "Star Trek" series. Her role was hugely significant at the time because in her role as the attractive Uhura, Nichelle Nichols was one of the first African-American actresses featured on television in a professional role rather than as a maid.

In fact, as a singer, Nichelle Nichols preferred the stage over the screen and nearly left the Star Trek series after the first season. However, after Dr. Martin Luther King told her that the show was one of the few he and his wife, Coretta, would let their children stay up to watch, so Nichelle decided to remain on the show. Former U.S. President Barack Obama even confessed to having a crush on Nichelle Nichols when he was a young lad watching Star Trek.

Since Nichelle Nichols passed away in 2022, the Nichelle Nichols Foundation is trying to keep her legacy alive via the Nichelle Nichols Space Camp for girls. Those interested in attending the camp can sign up to do so here: Nichelle Nichols Space Camp – Nichelle Nichols Foundation.

Luisa Reyes is a Tuscaloosa attorney, vocalist, and piano instructor.