IAYC: The International Astronomical Youth Camp

The International Astronomical Youth Camp (IAYC) is a three-week long summer camp aiming to promote knowledge of astronomy and related sciences in a unique international atmosphere. It is organised by an international team of students and young scientists, all members of IWA e.V.

More detailed information about the IAYC in general, IAYC participants, the daily schedule and observations during the IAYC can be found in the About IAYC section.

About the IAYC 2012

The IAYC 2012 will take place near the beautiful bavarian town Eichendorf  in Germany. The house “Schullandheim Eichenberg” is located in the heart of “Niederbayern” about 20 km southeast of the next city - Landau an der Isar. Other cities in the surroundings are Straubing (50km north), Regensburg (100 km north), Landshut (70 km west), Munich (capital of Bayern,  142 km southwest), Salzburg (Austria, 115km south) and Passau (boarder to Austria, 50 km east). More information can be found using Google Maps or by contacting info@iayc.org.
The camphouse itself offers comfortable bed rooms of various sizes, all equipped with a shower and a toilet. In addition, there is enough space for working groups and other free-time activities (e.g. for NAP or workshops or just sitting together in the “Kaminzimmer”). Right outside there is a small playground and a big football/NAP field. Crossing this field, there are table-tennis tables, a huge chess set and other nice things like a big grill which just calls for a BBQ. In addition, there is a public swimming pool in Eichendorf, which is reachable during free-time on foot.

Camphouse: Schullandheim Eichenberg
Coodinates: 48° 37’ 35’’ N, 12° 52’  46’’ E
Altitude: 335m (altitude of the town, the camp house is on a small hill)

Our observation field is located just behind the NAP field and has a great 360° view, partly down to the horizon. From an astronomical point of view these are great conditions to take astropictures because of the large possible sky coverage and the low light-pollution from the surrounding towns.

Observational equipment:

If you can bring your own telescope or binoculars - great. For everyone else, IWA e.V. provides several telescopes which are suitable for observations and taking astropictures. We also have a CCD which can be used together with the telescopes. If you want to bring astronomical equipment like eyepieces or filters or if you want to know more about our equipment, please contact josh@iayc.org or javier@iayc.org

A few facts about Germany

Area: 357 021 sq km
Population: ~82 Million (2010)
Capital: Berlin
Bigger cities: Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt
Languages: German, most young people speak English
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Int. Dialing code: ++49

Participation fee

The participation fee for the IAYC 2012 will be 700 Euro. However, if you apply before the 7th of April (date on the post stamp counts), you will receive a discount of 50 Euro. You will have to transfer this fee after you have received a confirmation of your acceptance by email.

We think that your financial background should not be a criterion for participating in the IAYC. If you cannot come to the IAYC for financial reasons (for instance in case of a non-convertible currency or because you have problems paying the full participation fee), you can apply for a grant. If our financial support is necessary for you to attend the camp, then contact us on the address below or write an email to info@iayc.org in order to obtain the application form for our limited grant programme.

Choosing your working group

In the following section you can find the abstracts of the 7 working groups offered in the IAYC 2012. On the application form you have to indicate which working group you want to participate in. In addition to the working group overviews, the NAP leader and the general who are not leading a working group will also introduce themselves.

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