Penn State Weather Camps: Fostering Friendships and Atmospheric Admiration

For nearly 25 years, Penn State Weather Camps have integrated comprehensive educational content with enjoyable social activities to effectively inspire and prepare the next generation of meteorologists. These camps offer a unique opportunity for participants to forge connections with peers who share their interest in weather and climate, creating lasting friendships through collaborative learning experiences. The weeklong camps offer a diverse blend of educational activities, such as forecasting contests and participation in creating a recorded weather broadcast in a television studio. Weather Camps also offer social and recreational activities, including field trips, bowling, and attending a baseball game. Over the course of the event, campers benefit from interactions with experts in Penn State’s renowned meteorology faculty, other Penn State faculty in geography, geoscience, and electrical engineering, the National Weather Service, AccuWeather, and more. This direct exposure to professionals, coupled with hands-on experiences like weather forecasting, observing live broadcasts, and conducting experiments, enriches campers’ understanding of the atmospheric sciences, all within the immersive environment of a college campus. With over 1,500 campers from the U.S. and beyond having participated in one or both sessions – regular and advanced – the program is an effective outreach of the Penn State Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science. Beyond the immediate learning outcomes, many former campers have gone on to pursue successful careers in meteorology and related fields. Alumni of the Penn State Weather Camps have enrolled in prestigious meteorology programs, secured positions with leading weather organizations, and contributed to advancements in atmospheric research. Penn State Weather Camps are a unique outreach that cultivates a passion for meteorology among young enthusiasts and have a proven track record of influencing future careers in the field.