Be an Iowa Delegate to National Youth Science Camp
The National Youth Science Camp (NYSC) originated in 1963 as a part of West Virginia's Centennial Celebration. NYSC annually hosts 100 highly talented science students, two from each state in the nation. These students are guests of the state of West Virginia while they participate in the three-week camp.
The Academy works with the Iowa Governor's Office and the Iowa Department of Education to advertise and select Iowa's delegates. Teachers, administrators, and parents should encourage top students to apply. Eligibility requirements are found below on this page. The IAS Student Programs Committee of the Academy will select two delegates and four alternates to represent Iowa. Iowa's two delegates will travel to the National Youth Science Camp as guests of the state of West Virginia to spend 3 weeks with scientists from across the nation. Membership in IJAS is NOT required to apply for NYSC.
Delegates typically arrive in Charleston, West Virginia, during the last week in June and depart three weeks later. Exact dates are announced in January and are available on the NYSC website. Links for this information are below.
The State Coordinator for Iowa is Craig Johnson at the Iowa Academy of Science. You may contact him by telephone at 319-273-2581 or by email at craig.johnson@uni.edu.
Iowa uses the online National Youth Science Camp application process. Please click the button below to apply. The application deadline is March 1st.
Resources for NYSC
General Information about National Youth Science Camp
The National Youth Science Camp (NYSC) is a residential science education program that honors and
challenges two graduating high school science students from each state. Scientists from across the
nation present lectures and hands-on science seminars and linger to interact informally with
student delegates. Delegates are challenged to explore new areas in the biological and physical
sciences, art, and music with resident staff members. Opportunities are provided for delegates to
present seminars covering their own areas of interest and research. A visit to Washington D.C.
permits delegates to visit some of the nation’s premier scientific, governmental, and cultural
facilities. The NYSC experience includes overnight excursions into the Monongahela National Forest
featuring backpacking, rock-climbing, caving, mountain biking, and kayaking opportunities.
Delegates are required to participate in the camp program for its entirety as the fast-paced
activities and remote location make travel to and from the NYSC very difficult. More information is
available online at www.nysc.org.
The NYSC will be held at a facility located in the Monongahela National Forest near Bartow in the
eastern mountains of West Virginia.
Delegates MUST be able to attend the entire NYSC program.
Cost
The National Youth Science Camp is offered at NO COST to its participants so the selected
delegates may attend regardless of their financial status. All educational and recreational
programming, as well as meals, lodging, and round-trip air passage on scheduled airlines are
provided free of charge to the delegates.
Eligible Applicants
• Must be candidates for high school graduation between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015;
• 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 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.
Questions about applying to be an Iowa delegate? Visit the NYSC website or contact the Iowa Academy of Science office at 319-273-2021 or 319-273-2581 or email iascience@uni.edu.
Iowa uses the online National Youth Science Camp application process. Please click the button above to apply. The application deadline is March 1st.