The International Astronomical Youth Camp (IAYC) is a three-week long summer camp aiming to promote knowledge on astronomy and related sciences in a unique international atmosphere. Each year, the IAYC takes place at a different European location.
The IAYC is different from most astronomical camps. At first, this is because of its international character: about seventy people from many different countries live together for three weeks. They are between 16 and 24 years old and share a common interest: astronomy. That is why every participant, with his or her own cultural background, forms an important piece in the complex puzzle of camp life.
Secondly, the camp is different in the way you work, or learn. The IAYC is not like staying in a hotel and following a summer school or an astronomy course. During the three weeks of IAYC, you will carry out your own small research project. You will therefore not just accept facts, but you will discover them yourself, or together with people with whom you will work together. The success of the camp depends on your contribution!
Links:
[1] http://www.iayc.org/
STUDENT COMMENTS
A great summer-academic experience overall. I am planning to participate again next year. Summer 2010
IAYC is exactly what you expect it to be; a summer camp about astronomy. Breakfast is scheduled at 12, lunch at 5.30 and dinner at midnight. After breakfast, working group sessions take place until 3.30. During this time, you work on your project with your team and your leader but one can work on his own whenever he wants to. From 3.30 to 5.30 lectures, sport activities and workshops on science or leisure topics take place. After lunch there is some more free time until 7.30 (people usually work). This is when the Non Astronomical Activities Program (NAP) 1.5 hour session begins. You should expect to participate in fun team-games and quizzes during this time of the day. Then there are working group sessions again until midnight. Afterwards participants usually go to the observation field to observe the night-sky through a variety of telescopes. Most sleep around 4. Throughout the camp parties are organized and there are also special events, such as poetry/performance evening, singing evening, national evening, campfire, a free-day and an excursion day. Next camp will take place in Czech Republic around mid-July. Summer 2010