High school students who understand the critical role the Second Amendment plays in ensuring our nation’s freedoms and the survival of this great republic are invited to apply to attend the NRA Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.), which takes place in July. The six-day, all-expenses paid leadership and scholarship experience for rising high school juniors and seniors will be held in the Washington, D.C., area.
Application deadline is March 1. The prestigious gathering runs July 16 to 21, 2024. Each summer, 30 to 40 high school students are selected from across the country to participate in the week-long educational fellowship around our nation’s capital.
For two decades, the NRA's Youth Education Summit has gathered some of the brightest, most ambitious and patriotic youth from across America in the heart of democracy. Students spend an unforgettable week engaging with political leaders, exploring historical monuments and honing their skills through competitive debates—all with the aim of enriching and inspiring our nation's future.
The Y.E.S. program's mission is to encourage students to explore the workings of our American government, the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution. It strives to inspire students to become responsible citizens who actively participate in the democratic process and who will return to their communities as advocates for the Second Amendment.
Selected students can expect an action-packed week that includes meeting with Congressmen and Congresswomen, visiting the Supreme Court, viewing the Constitution and Bill of Rights in person at the National Archives, taking an inside look at the U.S. Capitol Building and exploring the National Museum of American History. In addition, they will meet with NRA leadership, enjoy target practice at the NRA range, tour the National Firearms Museum, walk the grounds of Mount Version, visit Arlington National Cemetery, practice their debate skills at Hillsdale College’s Center for Constitutional Studies & Citizenship and more.
Y.E.S. is not solely about touring Washington, D.C., though. This summit offers an enriching educational experience that includes a total of $40,000 in college scholarships for students who display strong leadership abilities and a deep understanding of the week's activities, which encompass debates, seminars, public speaking, and more. Thanks to Friends of NRA fundraising and grants provided by The NRA Foundation, more than $700,000 in scholarships have been awarded since the creation of Y.E.S. in 1996.
Y.E.S. is open to current high school sophomores and juniors across the country. Aspiring participants must complete an application and submit their high school transcript, a three-page essay on the Second Amendment, a personal statement and three letters of recommendation.
Applications are already being accepted. Deadline is March 1, so don’t delay.
Visit the Y.E.S. website for more details. You can direct further questions by email to [email protected].
