Let the Adventure Begin

Sleep in the same quarters where sailors bunked 75 years ago aboard the USS Stewart. Come take an exclusive private tour and learn the science of ships, the importance of preservation and the heritage of our nation’s military. Complete your assigned mission and become an honorary ensign.

You are about to embark on an adventure aboard authentic U.S. Navy vessels that served our nation during World War II and beyond. Immerse yourself in our nation's heritage. Explore historic WWII vessels and experience what it was like as a predator patrolling underwater in the Pacific or as a protector of Allied forces in the North Atlantic. Learn how the USS Cavalla (SS-244), a Gato Class Submarine, sank the Japanese aircraft carrier, Shokaku, involved in the Pearl Harbor attack. Come aboard the USS Stewart (DE-238), the only remaining Edsall-Class Destroyer Escort in the United States.

Our Education Coordinator will contact you to discuss the educational activities available, to confirm your booking, and to collect your deposit.

The Galveston Naval Museum provides a historical, educational, and patriotic experience. The sleepover program allows visitors a unique experience aboard a vintage WWII submarine or destroyer escort.

The Mission of the Cavalla Historical Foundation is to provide charitable, civic, educational, social, and aesthetic activities for the general public by establishing at Seawolf Park, Galveston Naval Museum for the restoration repair, and maintenance of the USS Cavalla, the USS Stewart, and any naval artifacts acquired in the future.

Our Education Coordinator will contact you to discuss the educational activities available, to confirm your booking, and to collect your deposit.

Welcome!

Arrival time is 5pm to the Galveston Naval Museum. Please do not unload gear at this time. Everyone will meet at the aft end of the Stewart, where the wooden deck and the door marked “Staff” is located. Once all members are present release forms will be collected, and rules will be reviewed by the overnight supervisor. When the safety brief concludes, guests will be allowed to load their gear aboard the USS Stewart!

After you are comfortable and settled a guided tour of the USS Cavalla and USS Stewart will be offered. Once this is over we suggest the following series of events. Dinner time, educational games and activates, then free time.

The suggested lights out time is 10pm.

The following morning after sleeping like Sailors, Breakfast is at 7am. Breakfast includes cereal, pastries, fruit, milk, and juice. The children will receive a completion certificate. All gear must be off the vessel by 9am. The GNM opens to the public at 9am.

ALL HANDS ON DECK!

Overnight accommodations from 5:00pm-9:00am
Tours of both the USS Cavalla and USS Stewart
No meals/snacks provided
No activities hosted

$25 per guest. 15 guest minimum.

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LIGHT DUTY!

Overnight accommodations from 5:00pm-9:00am
Tours of both the USS Cavalla and USS Stewart
Educational games hosted by GNM staff/volunteers
Evening snack provided while viewing a movie(chips/popcorn and drink)
Continental Breakfast (cereal, fruit, pastry, milk, juice, and coffee)

$40 per guest. 15 guest minimum.

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LIBERTY! HANDS FREE EXPERIENCE FOR CHAPERONES!

Overnight accommodations from 5:00pm-9:00am
Dinner Provided by GNM (Pizza or Submarine Sandwiches and Chips, plus drinks)
Tours of both the USS Cavalla and USS Stewart
Educational games/activities hosted by GNM staff
Evening snack provided while viewing a movie (chips/popcorn/fruit and drinks)
Continental Breakfast (cereal, fruit, pastries, milk, juice, and coffee)

$60 per guest. 15 guest minimum.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What Should We Pack?

Items to Bring:

Sleepwear and a change of clothing.
Sleeping bag, pillow, and blankets
Toiletries– toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush, etc. We do not have shower facilities.
Closed toe shoes. Tennis Shoes are recommended, Heels and flip– flops are not recommended
Flashlight
Electronic devices are allowed, but must not be used during the education program. DVDs, Games. Participants can watch movies or play games during the free time part of the program.
Sunscreen/Bug Spray

Will I be charged the same as my child?

All visitors will be charged the same amount per person (i.e. Adults vs. Children).

My youngest son is 3 years old. Can he attend sleep-overs with our group?

Minimum age for Sleep-Over participants is 5 years old. For the courtesy of the other guests and your child's safety, please do not bring infant or toddler children.

Is there Heating and Air Conditioning aboard vessels?

USS Cavalla (Submarine) No Heat/Yes - Air Conditioning; USS Stewart (Destroyer Escort) Yes - Heat/ Yes - Air Conditioning. All guests will stay in the aft berthing of USS Stewart.

How large of a group can you accommodate?

The minimum group size is 15 guests. However, we can accommodate up to 80 guests comfortably. Please, contact us directly for reservations of smaller or larger groups

Are showers available during our visit?

No. What does each person need to bring for the sleepover? Each attendee is required to bring his/her own sleeping bag, pillow, pillowcase, and toiletries. Closed toes shoes and an extra set of clothing is suggested, as well as a flashlight.

If we choose the "Silver" option package, can we barbeque outside or cook on the ship?

If your group decides to provide their own food and drinks, refrigerators, stove/oven, barbecue grills, and ice machine are available to use.

Will there be security or staff overnight?

Yes - CHF always provides overnight staff for safety and assistance with security issues. However, groups must provide supervision at a ratio of (1) adult for every (5) children under the age of 18. CHF is not responsible for or to be left with underage children without group supervision at any time. Adults must sleep over and accompany all events and tours held during the sleepover event.

In addition, each group must provide overnight "Fire Watch" supervision from "lights out" through morning breakfast.

How do we get to the museum?

From Houston:

Galveston Causeway. Soon after crossing the Causeway, I-45 becomes Broadway (SR-87, Ave. J). Continue traveling along Broadway for approximately .8 miles to 51st St. Turn left on 51st St. and travel approximately 1.9 miles to Seawolf Parkway. 51st St. becomes Seawolf Parkway after crossing the Pelican Island Causeway. Seawolf Parkway dead ends into Seawolf Park.

You can also take Harborside/Teichman to 51st St, and turn north. Travel past A&M University for 3 miles to Seawolf Park.

From Bolivar Peninsula:

Starting from Crystal Beach, travel approximately 10.7 miles to the Bolivar Ferry. Upon exiting the Ferry, take Ferry Road (SR87) and head southeast approximately .9 miles. Turn right

onto Harborside Drive. Travel approximately 4.5 miles along Harborside Dr. to 51st St. Turn right onto 51st St. 51st St. becomes Seawolf Parkway after crossing the Pelican Island Causeway. Seawolf Parkway dead ends into Seawolf Park.

Basic Rules and Expectations?

Please bring a sleeping bag and pillow and all toiletries. We suggest closed toe shoes, an extra set of clothes, and a flashlight as well.
The bathroom facilities are located outside between the Cavalla and the Stewart. The bathroom facilities aboard each vessel are nonoperational and should not be used.
Be prepared and bring proper clothing for the weather
At least one adult must stand watch at all times.
For safety reasons, do not run aboard the vessels or in the parking lot.
While aboard the vessels, please do not move any knobs, switches, dials, buttons, levers, or wheels.
Children may not leave the vessel unless accompanied by an adult

Let the Adventure Begin

Frequently Asked Questions

SLEEPOVER DOWNLOADS

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Let the Adventure Begin

Frequently Asked Questions

SLEEPOVER DOWNLOADS

Book Your sleepover

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