The Cosmic Odyssey Scholarship

The Cosmic Odyssey Scholarship sends families affected by pediatric cancer on an incredible trip to US Space Camp in Huntsville, AL.

Since 2021, we have sent 81 people from 22 families on the adventure of a lifetime at US Space Camp!

Scholarship families work together as a group throughout the weekends to successfully complete training and missions. Every participating member of the scholarship families (adults and kids!) is a part of the weekend mission, changing up typical family dynamics as parents sometimes report to kids--and kids sometimes give instructions to their parents!

Each scholarship weekend includes:

traditional Space Camp missions and activities for all family members (yes, adults too!)
guided tours of the US Space and Rocket Center
visits from members of the US Space Camp Hall of Fame
special talks from Space Camp alumni who are also cancer survivors
creating artwork that will launch to actual space on a Blue Origin rocket--and be returned to the families!--through the "Postcards to Space" program from Club for the Future
a Space Camp flight suit, graduation certificate and wings to show the world that they have "The Right Stuff" to make their dreams come true!
time to bond with other families in similar pediatric cancer situations
Travel, hotel, food, and tuition provided at no cost to the families

Donations and proceeds from fundraisers like this one make this scholarship possible!

Three kids and three parents variously sitting and standing in a space station simulator with binders during a mock mission.

Total costs for the program are around $1,200 per participant (including travel, food, lodging, tuition, and flight suits). All of the admin support, special guests, and program management for the program are graciously provided as volunteer time.

Special thanks to the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer for providing a photographer, support staff, and swag for the participants!

6 kids stand in blue Space Camp flight suits in front of a back-lit NASA logo.

Thanks to everyone that donated, participated in our fundraising auctions, and helped spread the word about the scholarship to eligible families. YOU make this all possible

Kids in white space suits high-five while dangling mid-air outside a space station mockup

The Cosmic Odyssey Scholarship was created by Niko Blanks based on his own experience as a pediatric cancer survivor. He felt a strong desire to give other pediatric cancer survivors the same transformative experience he had at US Space Camp.

The SpaceKind Foundation, Yuri’s Night and the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer.

The Scholarship is run by a volunteer team that includes:

Niko Blanks, scholarship founder, pediatric cancer survivor, and aerospace test engineer
1st Lt. Tara Sweeney (USAF, Retired), Space Camp Hall of Fame Inductee and former VP of Space Camp
Loretta Whitesides, Founder of Yuri’s Night, Chair of the Board for The SpaceKind Foundation
Amy Jo Osborn, President + CEO at Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer
Tim Bailey, Board Member of The SpaceKind Foundation and Inflight Manager for Zero-G
Christy Fair, Operations Director for Yuri’s Night

Special thanks to Dr. Michelle Christensen, Penny Pettigrew, Josh Whitfield, Chris Sembroski, Abigail Peterson, DeLaina Yancey, and everyone that has supported our Cosmic Odyssey families on-site in Huntsville!

The Cosmic Odyssey Scholarship

By The SpaceKind Foundation

The Cosmic Odyssey Scholarship

Sending families affected by pediatric cancer on an incredible trip to US Space Camp. Together.