National Youth Science Camp

The National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp) is a free residential honors program for two accomplished high school graduates from each state in the USA, plus Washington, DC. As of 2020, NYSCamp also accepts two delegates to represent Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, and Trinidad and Tobago.^[1] NYSCamp's curriculum includes a broad range of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics that incorporates both creative and performing arts as well as an outdoor adventure series with opportunities for mountain biking, spelunking, kayaking, and overnight backpacking. The delegation also travels to Washington, D.C., where they can meet congressional members, tour museums, and in recent years attend a panel discussion held at the American Association for the Advancement of Science. NYSCamp hopes to challenge delegates academically in exciting lectures and hands-on studies, and have voluntary opportunities to participate in an outdoor adventure program, gain a new and deep appreciation for the great outdoors, and establish friendships that last a lifetime. The NYSCamp is offered free of charge for all delegates selected to attend. Applications to apply to the NYSCamp generally open around beginning of November and close around the end of February for the following summer programming.^{[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]}

National Youth Science Camp

Logo
Abbreviation	NYSCamp
Formation	1963
Headquarters	Charleston, West Virginia
Location	Camp Pocahontas, West Virginia
Parent organization	National Youth Science Academy
Website	http://www.nyscamp.org

History

The NYSCamp program was created as a part of West Virginia's centennial celebration in 1963 and was originally intended as a one-time celebration of youth and science.^[14]

In 1964, Neil Armstrong presented at the camp, and gave a lecture to the delegates describing NASA's plans to put a man on the moon.^[15] Five years later, just days before he was due to launch on Apollo 11, he sent a telegram to the camp expressing his commendation.

From 1963 to 1974, all of the delegates were male, but beginning in 1975, it accepted both male and female delegates.^[16]

Camp Directors

1963-1970 Charles N. Cochran
1971-1975 Joseph M. Hutchison
1976-1985 Roderick W. Wilson
1986-1987 James C. Shuman, Ed.D.
1988-1990 Betsy Atkins Miller
1991-1992 Kathryn Hoy Burgess, Ph.D.
1993 James Ray Rappold
1994-1996 Don Smith
1997-2001 Paul M. Miller, Ph.D.
2002-2011 Andrew Blackwood, Ed.D.
2012-2014 Desiree Henrickson
2015-2017 John P. Giroir
2018-2019 Andrew Blackwood, Ed.D.
2020–2023 Brian E. Kinghorn, Ph.D.^[17]
2024-Present Kiona Y. Meade

References

1. https://nysf.smapply.io/
2. "NYSCamp". Nysf.com. 7 November 2010. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
3. "2012 National Youth Science Camp | Adventure, science, humor". Archived from the original on 2012-07-09. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
4. "2012 National Youth Science Camp Nomination - Letters (CA Dept of Education)". Cde.ca.gov. Archived from the original on 23 August 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
5. "Youth Programs | Embassy of the United States". Archived from the original on 2012-07-11. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
6. "Gov. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Reynolds announce Iowa's National Youth Science Camp delegates ★ Governor Branstad". Archived from the original on 2012-05-23. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
7. White, Kate (27 June 2012). "Bright young minds descend on city to kick off annual National Youth Science Camp". Wvgazette.com. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
8. "Science camp: West Virginia gem - Editorials - the Charleston Gazette - West Virginia News and Sports -". wvgazette.com. Archived from the original on 10 February 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
9. "Two West Virginia students head to national science camp - Kanawha County - Charleston Daily Mail - West Virginia News and Sports -". www.dailymail.com. Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
10. "Google's first female engineer jumps to Yahoo! helm". Tengrinews.kz. 17 July 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
11. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-06-22. Retrieved 2012-07-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
12. Press, Idaho. "Kuna Melba News". Idaho Press. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
13. "NASA - Ozone Goes to Camp". Nasa.gov. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
14. "Curriculum Instruction and Instructional Technology:CI&IT:NYSED". P12.nysed.gov. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
15. http://alumni.nysc.org/page/14/?cat=clstpipnl ^{[dead link]}
16. "NYSCAA Summer 2005 Newsletter -- Newsbytes".
17. Payne, Leah (November 18, 2019). "Faculty member tapped to lead National Youth Science Camp". Marshall University University Communications. Retrieved May 6, 2020.^{[permanent dead link]}