National Youth Science Camp
A free, residential science education program for high school graduates from across the US and internationally.
▌ Editor's read The National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp) is a prestigious, free-of-charge residential science education program for high school graduates, operating for 60 years. The camp is hosted in West Virginia and provides a month-long immersive experience in various STEM fields. It is run by the National Youth Science Foundation, a non-profit organization. While the website does not mention ACA accreditation or specific staff-to-camper ratios, it highlights a robust program including lectures, directed studies, and outdoor activities. The camp's Instagram handle is @nyscamp and its Facebook handle is NationalYouthScienceCamp. Google reviews for 'National Youth Science Camp' are overwhelmingly positive, with an average rating of 4.9 stars from over 100 reviews, frequently praising the life-changing experiences and intellectual stimulation provided.
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Since 196660+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Who thrives here Ages 16–18
National Youth Science Camp serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in stem, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Not verified
- Established
- 1966 (60 years)
- Operator
- Nonprofit organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: STEM
- Ages: 16–18
- Hours: 24-hour residential
- Address: Camp Pocahontas, Bartow, WV
- Phone: 304-205-7300
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost notes: Free, USD
Logistics
- Lunch provided: Yes
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: mixed
Frequently asked about National Youth Science Camp
- What ages does National Youth Science Camp accept?
- National Youth Science Camp is open to children ages 16–18. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- What are National Youth Science Camp's hours?
- National Youth Science Camp runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Who runs National Youth Science Camp?
- National Youth Science Camp is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 60 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does National Youth Science Camp provide lunch?
- Yes — National Youth Science Camp includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare National Youth Science Camp with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- STEM summer camps guide · Compare projects, staff fit, and age-readiness signals.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside National Youth Science Camp.
- Camp Hidden Meadows · Camp Hidden Meadows · Ages 7–16 · $1,950/week
- Earth Expeditions Iceland (12-Day Program) · Iceland · Ages 13–16 · $3,398/week
- Earth Expeditions West Virginia (1-Week Program) · West Virginia · Ages 13–17 · $1,295/week
- Counselor in Training (2-Week Program) · Bartow, West Virginia · Ages 15–16 · $1,975/week
- Traditional Camp (2-Week Session) · Bartow, West Virginia · Ages 7–15 · $1,975/week
- Traditional Camp (1-Week Session) · Bartow, West Virginia · Ages 7–15 · $2,075/week