Family Astronomy Camp Weekend at Pasque Meadow!

Share an astronomy and NASA storytelling themed weekend with the Von Lossberg family (Genevieve, Bryan and our MIS 7th grader, Austen) this coming fall or winter at our off-grid family getaway in the Blackfoot watershed in the foothills of the Garnet Range (1.5 hours from Missoula).

Named by the Von Lossberg family as Pasque Meadow because of the abundance of pasque flowers each spring, you and up to (4) guests will be staying in the 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom home.

Bryan helped design space exploration missions as a mechanical engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California in the 90s. These days, he's a NASA Solar System Ambassador, telling stories about "impossible" NASA missions that have challenged our imagination and changed our understanding of the universe. He's particularly proud of working on the 1997 Mars Pathfinder mission which featured prominently in the 2015 movie The Martian (91% Rotten Tomatoes!).

Pasque has beautiful dark skies, and we'll use binoculars and a couple of telescopes (including a 10" Dobsonian) to observe Saturn's rings, Jupiter and the four Galilean moons, and perhaps a galaxy or nebula. Austen will demonstrate how to use our green astronomy laser to point out planets and constellations and ward off aliens. And Genevieve will help keep everyone warm with hot cocoa and tea - and recommend games and puzzles as interest dictates. Of course, we'd be happy to also show The Martian with unlimited popcorn and behind the scenes stories about Pathfinder.

A weekend in October or November is ideal for the astronomy, but they'll happily work with your family to find dates that work best. The Von Lossberg family will host your weekend (staying in the fire tower on the property) and will also provide a delicious gluten-free Saturday evening dinner masterminded by Genevieve.

Expiration: April of 2026