2009 National Youth Science Camp

Welcome

The National Youth Science Foundation and Governor Joe Manchin III of the State of West Virginia are excited to announce the 2009 edition of the National Youth Science Camp. The 2009 NYSC will be held at Camp Pocahontas in the Monongahela National Forest near the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in the eastern mountains of West Virginia. Delegates to the 2009 NYSC will arrive in Charleston, WV, the State's capital, on Wednesday, July 1, 2009, and will depart on Saturday, July 25, 2009.

International Students

The National Youth Science Foundation is pleased to announce that the United States Department of State will sponsor 26 delegates to the 2009 National Youth Science Camp.

State Department participating countries:

Argentina (2 delegates)
Brazil (2 delegates)
Canada (4 delegates)
Chile (4 delegates)
Colombia (4 delegates)
Mexico (4 delegates)
Panama (2 delegates)
Peru (4 delegates)

Click for more information.

The West Virginia Development Office is expected to sponsor two delegates from Germany. A private scholarship will sponsor one delegate from Trinidad and Tobago.

Summary

The NYSC is one of the nation's premier programs in secondary science education. Since its inception in 1963 as part of West Virginia's Centennial Celebration, the residential summer program has offered educational forums and recreational activities that encourage the development of thoughtful scientific leadership. Two students are selected to represent each state and delegates must participate in the entire NYSC program.

Cost

The NYSC is an all-expenses-paid program. The National Youth Science Foundation will arrange round trip transportation from an airport near the delegate's home to Charleston, West Virginia. Incidental expenses are not covered. Alternate travel arrangements are possible - please contact the NYSF for restrictions and requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

Must be candidates for high school graduation between July 1, 2008, and June 30, 2009;
Must demonstrate superior academic proficiency, including recognition in mathematics and/or the sciences;
Must demonstrate an application of leadership abilities and social maturity through involvement in both school and community activities;
Must demonstrate skills and achievements outside the realm of science and outside the realm of academic pursuits; and
Must demonstrate a curiosity and an eagerness to explore many and varied topics.

Application Process

Each year, the governor of West Virginia invites the governor of every other state to initiate a process to select two delegates to attend the NYSC as his/her state's delegation. Individual states coordinate the selection of their own delegates following guidelines established and published by the National Youth Science Foundation. Delegates must participate in the entire NYSC program.

To apply, please following do the following:

Download the application packet:
2009 NYSC Application (Adobe Acrobat format)
2009 NYSC Application (MS Word format)
Complete application instructions are provided in the application packet. Please note that some states use alternate selection procedures - contact your state's selection coordinator for application procedures for your state. Please review the selection coordinator database for contact information for your state's selection coordinator.
Submit your completed application directly to your state's selection coordinator - do not send applications directly to the NYSF. Please review the selection coordinator database for contact information for your state's selection coordinator.

NYSC Summary

A multimedia summary of the 2004 National Youth Science Camp is available. You may also wish to download the 2-page, NYSC Background flyer.

Questions

Please contact your state's selection coordinator with questions about the selection process in your state. Direct all other questions about the 2009 National Youth Science Camp or the National Youth Science Foundation to:

Dr. Andy Blackwood
Executive Director
(304) 342-3326
Andrew.Blackwood@nysf.com