10 Reasons To Apply for Y.E.S. 2020

1. You will get to learn about the history of our country. Even if you have seen the Washington, D.C. area before, we can promise you that you have not seen it as you will at the Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.). Summit attendees will get to tour historical sites around our nation’s capital. “During my Y.E.S. experience, I enjoyed visiting the numerous veteran memorials and monuments throughout Washington, D.C. Our freedoms are hard-won, and gaining this understanding through Y.E.S. has made me all the more motivated to protect and preserve these freedoms for ours and future generations,” says Brayden Teague, NC, Class of 2019

2. You will get to meet some of the NRA Leadership. The first full day of Y.E.S. is spent touring NRA Headquarters in Fairfax, Va., and during this time you’ll be introduced to a variety of NRA programs and services by the very people who run them. You will also have the opportunity to hear from members of the NRA Leadership team and even get the opportunity to ask them questions.

3. You will see—and shoot—some of the coolest guns ever made. Speaking of shooting, it just wouldn’t be a visit to the D.C. area without a tour through the NRA National Firearms Museum. Although anyone can visit the museum, it’s a special treat to get a personal tour courtesy of Senior Curator Doug Wicklund. Next, there’s a trip to NRA’s range. It’s not necessary to know anything about guns prior to the summit; the session is complete with a comprehensive safety class and how-to instruction, followed by actual trigger time.

4. You will gain skills that will serve you for the rest of your life. One key focus of the Youth Education Summit is the ability to think, reason, research and marshal a debate. Before the summit starts, each student is assigned to a team, a topic, and a pro- or con-stance. You may or may not actually agree with the position you’re asked to defend, so participating in these debates is an exercise in flexible thinking as well as public speaking.

5. You will have the opportunity to visit many sights that highlight America’s military history and the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces, who contributed to the many freedoms we enjoy today. You’ll have a front-row seat for the Changing of the Guard and a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. You will get to tour the National Marine Corp Museum and visit the Iwo Jima Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and the WWII Memorial. You will sit front and center for the famous “8th and I” parade.

6. You will get to see the documents that tell our nation’s history. During the summit, you will tour the National Archives Museum, which is the home to more than three billion records in total, including the three most important documents in American history: the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

7. You will learn something new. Do you know how long it took for the Vietnam Memorial to be built? What does it take to become a Sentinel of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier? How long does the average case takes to get before the Supreme Court? Where do you stand in the Capitol building to vividly hear whispers from 20 yards away? Which state is misspelled on the Constitution? You will know these answers if you attend Y.E.S.

8. You will make new friends. Although Y.E.S. attendees come from all over the country and all sorts of different backgrounds, spending a week engaging in friendly debates and sharing experiences always leads to new friendships. “The Youth Education Summit is an experience I will never forget. It was amazing to hear everyone’s perspectives on different issues and be surrounded by like-minded people. I know I will keep the friendships and relationships I made at Y.E.S. for a very long time!” states Stephanie Weber, CT, Class of 2019

9. You will compete for up to $50,000 in college scholarships. Scholarships are awarded to outstanding summit attendees at the close of the week, with additional scholarships going to the Y.E.S. student or students who best demonstrate the lessons they’ve learned in D.C. once they return back home. You can earn consideration after going home in a variety of ways—arranging a visit from Eddie Eagle to a local school district, working with Friends of NRA to put on a banquet…even writing an article for NRA blogs or publications like Traditions magazine!

10. You won’t have to pay for it! The Youth Education Summit is an all-expenses-paid experience. That means your airfare, your transportation costs while in D.C., your lodging and your meals are all covered. The only thing you’ll need to worry about is pocket money in case you’d like to pick up some souvenirs.

What Are You Waiting For? The Youth Education Summit is open to high school sophomores and juniors. The 2020 summit will run July 13- 19, 2020 and applications will be accepted through January 24, 2020. To apply email [email protected] or apply online at https://yes.nra.org/application.