An Update on a Rapidly Expanding National Weather Camp Program (NWCP)

During the past 13 years (2002-2014), a fledgling weather camp program, started at Howard University (Washington, DC), expanded to include more than a dozen sites nationwide. At least five other locations are in the process of establishing weather camps. The camps include an array of weekly commuting camps, two-week commuting camps, two-week residence camps and even one camp in which students actually “camp.”

Originally established under the NCAS (NOAA Center for Atmospheric Sciences) umbrella, summer weather camps for high school students were taught at the University of Puerto Rico (Mayaguez, PR), Jackson State University (Jackson, MS, the University of Texas – El Paso (El Paso, TX) and Howard University.

Starting in 2014, the Learningworks Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit entity assumed the lead role in coordinating the National Weather Camp Program (NWCP). The effort is designed to more easily raise funds for the overall camp program in a less bureaucrat framework. The NWCP will concentrate on sharing information among camps (e.g., key forms, curricula, draft fund-raising letters) and work toward a national fundraising focus. Local campsites will run their own camp programs and raise local funds.

This paper will provide an update on this program, focusing on how weather camp graduates have advanced in their weather careers and how the camp program is graduating to “research” camp status at one camp site. It will offer information about the expanded NWCP, should your TV station want to sponsor and/or support a local weather camp.