Updated November 2026
TL;DR
The National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp) is a free, residential STEAM honors camp in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest, held there since 1963. Housing, meals, transportation and supplies are covered. Typically, only two delegates are chosen from each state and Washington, D.C., plus international delegates through the U.S. State Department. The 2027 camp runs from early July to early August 2027, and the application opens in early 2027 for students graduating high school between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2028.
STEAM honors camps let you explore fields beyond your classes and learn directly from people who work in them. What sets the National Youth Science Camp apart is the mix: two expert lectures a day, small mini-courses, arts, serious outdoor adventure and a trip to Washington, D.C., for a cohort of about two students per state. It's broad exposure rather than one research project, and its state-by-state selection is the part most applicants misunderstand.
Comparing STEM options? See our lists of free summer science research programs and the best science summer programs for high school students.
Is the National Youth Science Camp free, and when is it in 2027?
Yes. NYSCamp is free: "Housing, meals, transportation, and supplies are provided to participants at no cost." The 2027 camp "will take place from early July to early August 2027," and exact dates haven't been posted yet.
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Detail |
What you need to know |
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Run by |
National Youth Science Academy |
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Where |
Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia, plus a Washington, D.C., trip |
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2027 dates |
Early July to early August 2027 (exact dates TBA) |
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Cost |
Free: housing, meals, transportation and supplies covered |
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Eligibility (U.S.) |
High school graduation between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2028 |
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Delegates/cohort size |
Typically two per state and two from D.C., plus international delegates |
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Acceptance rate |
Not published |
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Application |
Opens early 2027; due dates vary by state |
Who can apply to the National Youth Science Camp?
For 2027, U.S. applicants must graduate from high school between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2028, so current juniors and seniors can apply. NYSCamp looks for strong STEAM achievement and interests outside academics too. International delegates come through a partnership with the U.S. State Department; past countries include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Japan and Mexico.
NYSCamp is highly selective: typically only two delegates attend from each state and D.C., and it doesn't publish an acceptance rate. Your odds depend on your state's pool. If you'd like a project-based option you can do from anywhere, Ladder Internships places high school students in grades 9 to 12 in remote start-up internships, including in engineering, healthcare and environmental science.
What do you do at the National Youth Science Camp?
Delegates attend two lectures by STEM experts each day, plus directed studies: mini-courses with a low facilitator-to-delegate ratio. Staff also run STEAM sessions in the physical, natural and computer sciences, and informal seminars on anything from juggling to cooking. Arts programming covers visual and performing arts.
Outdoor adventure is a major part of camp: hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, caving, kayaking, biking and overnighters. Delegations also travel to Washington, D.C., for activities such as meeting members of Congress and touring museums.
6 things to know before you apply to the National Youth Science Camp
1. The National Youth Science Camp is free
Selected delegates pay nothing for housing, meals, transportation or supplies. That makes NYSCamp one of the few multi-week residential STEAM programs a family doesn't have to budget for.
2. NYSCamp typically picks only two delegates per state
"Typically, two delegates are selected to attend camp from each state and the District of Columbia." You're competing within your state, not a national pool, so a handful of spots decides your chances.
3. Some states choose National Youth Science Camp delegates through science fairs
Florida, Georgia and Massachusetts select delegates through their state science fairs, and Montana chooses one through its fair and one through the online application. Students in the other 46 states and D.C. apply online. Check which route your state uses before you prepare.
4. NYSCamp is broad STEAM exposure, not a research internship
You'll hear from working scientists and explore new fields in small groups, but you won't spend the summer on one original research project. If you want a single project with a dedicated mentor, a research program is a better fit; if you're curious about many fields, NYSCamp is the stronger pick.
5. Outdoor adventure is built into the National Youth Science Camp
Because camp is in the Monongahela National Forest, outdoor activities like caving, climbing and kayaking are a real part of the schedule, not an occasional extra. Be ready to take part.
6. NYSCamp includes a trip to Washington, D.C.
Delegations travel to D.C. for activities such as meeting congressional members and visiting museums. It adds a second setting and a look at how science connects with government and public life.
Is the National Youth Science Camp worth it for college applications?
Yes, being chosen as one of about two delegates from your state is a meaningful distinction, and the experience gives you specific stories to tell. The program name alone isn't the point: what helps is the field you discovered, the scientist you talked to or the interest you pursued afterward.
Because NYSCamp gives breadth, not a finished project, pair it with work that leaves you with something to show. Ladder Internships places high school students in remote, eight-week start-up internships, where they work on a real project with a company coach, with full financial aid available.
How do you apply to the National Youth Science Camp for 2027?
The 2027 application opens in early 2027, and due dates vary by location, so check the 2027 season page for your state. For U.S. applicants, the application asks for:
Letter of interest: about 500 to 1,000 words, written by you; "no use of Generative AI is allowed."
Resume: work, volunteer experience, leadership, awards and extracurriculars.
Transcript: your most recent high school transcript.
Grades and courses: cumulative GPA and your STEAM, Honors and AP classes.
Recommender: the name and email of someone you've already asked; the system emails them after you submit.
The form doesn't save automatically, so draft your answers in a separate document first, and submit days or weeks before your deadline so your recommender has time to upload.
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Step |
2027 timing |
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Application opens |
Early 2027 |
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Deadline |
Varies by state; check the season page |
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Camp |
Early July to early August 2027 |
Common questions about the National Youth Science Camp
How are National Youth Science Camp delegates chosen in each state?
Most states use the online application, but Florida, Georgia and Massachusetts use state science fairs, and Montana uses both. Check the 2027 season page for your state's route.
What does a day at the National Youth Science Camp look like?
Delegates hear two lectures from STEM experts each day and take directed studies in small groups. The rest of the day mixes STEAM sessions, seminars, arts and outdoor activities such as hiking or kayaking.
Can juniors apply to the National Youth Science Camp?
Yes. For 2027, U.S. applicants must graduate between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2028, which includes current juniors and seniors.
What can you do if you're not chosen for the National Youth Science Camp?
With about two spots per state, apply to other summer programs too. Ladder Internships runs remote, eight-week start-up internships for high school students worldwide, at 5 to 10 hours a week, with a company coach and full financial aid available. The next deadline is November 15, 2026, for the Winter I cohort starting December 7, 2026.
Contact us at contact@ladderinternships.com if you have any questions!