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 If you don't see your question below, or would prefer to speak to a Program Manager, please contact us.
What is YPS?
A signature education training of The Keystone Center, Youth Policy Summit is a week long intensive collaboration and problem solving program for high school students. Students who participate in YPS learn about a tough public policy issue in the realms of energy, environment or health, gain conflict resolution and mediation skills and produce innovative policy solutions. To learn more about the YPS program and what it includes, please visit YPS Overview and YPS Program Components.
What are YPS application requirements?
YPS is open to all students who are rising high school juniors or seniors in the United States. There are no specific academic qualifications needed to apply. For further information, please visit Who Can Apply.
What is The Keystone Center and the history of YPS?
The Keystone Center is a nonprofit organization that seeks to solve our society's most challenging environmental, energy and public health problems. Founded in 1975, we bring together today's public, private and civic sector leaders to confront these issues and we arm the next generation with the 21st Century intellectual and social skills required to effectively approach the questions they will face. Youth Policy Summit was started in 2004 as an effort to educate future leaders on mediation techniques and public policy issues. Since 2004, over 675 students in 23 states have participated in a YPS program. For further information on The Keystone Center and our work, please visit About The Keystone Center.
How much does YPS cost, and what is included?
The cost to participate in a YPS program varies by Summit. Please see our Program Fees page for information. All program fees include all Summit sessions and evening activities, food and housing, 24 hour supervision, round-trip transportation to a specific nearby airport, a certificate of completion, all course materials, and transportation to any related field trips or activities. Please note that need-based scholarships are available on a sliding scale for students from low-income families, and we also offer special discounts for those who sign up early and recruit friends. For more information, please visit Program Fees and Scholarship Opportunities.
How do students benefit from participating in YPS?
Students report through anonymous evaluations that YPS is an incredibly worthwhile and beneficial experience that they would recommend to friends and peers. Students who participate in YPS:
Have an increased sense of personal empowerment and community responsibility. YPS teaches students to become leaders and fosters awareness of local and national issues. YPS alumni participate in community action projects and initiate programs and awareness campaigns to promote change on a local and national level.
Improve their collaboration and communication skills. Students report that YPS increases their ability to effectively communicate their own ideas, as well as understand and respect the ideas of others. The program's focus on mediation offers students the ability to understand the effectiveness of collaboration, and how to reach consensus over contentious issues.
Gain and apply knowledge of their Summit topic. Students gain in-depth understanding of the contentious public issue their Summit is focusing on. They come to understand the various viewpoints and concerns associated with a large issue, and feel confident discussing this topic with peers, authority figures and leaders.
Understand policy making and gain awareness of possible career paths and fields of study. Students learn the difficulties and complexities of policy making, and learn about fields of study and careers through interacting with expert panelists and stakeholder research and role playing.
A college experience. Students who have participated in campus-based YPS programs appreciate the experience of living in dorms and gaining an understanding of college life while still in high school.
Form lasting friendships and expand their social circles. YPS expands students' social circles to include diverse friends from across the country, an experience which opens many high school students' minds to the diversity of opinions and backgrounds that they will come into contact with throughout their lives.
What is TKC's cancellation and refund policy?
TKC offers a cancellation policy in the event that unforeseen circumstances prevent you from attending YPS. Once you have received your acceptance email, your $50 deposit is nonrefundable under any circumstances. If you cancel after being accepted, the following cancellation fees apply:
Over 60 days before program start date: $200 cancellation fee*
60-30 days before program start date: $500 cancellation fee*
Less than 30 days before program start date: No refund
*Your cancellation fee will be waived if you find a student to replace you in the program.
How many students attend each YPS program?
There is a limit of 40 students for each YPS program. This size ensures that students receive individual attention and the opportunity to fully participate in all sessions while preserving the diversity of both students and represented stakeholders that is essential to the program's success.
How can I apply?
The application process for YPS is simple! Just submit an application online, by mail or over the phone, and we will let you know your acceptance status within 10 business days. We use a rolling application process, and will operate on a first-come first-serve basis. The application asks for your personal information, and a brief (500 word or less) essay. You are also required to submit a $50 deposit with your application, and you have the option to include a Scholarship Application as well. For further information on the application process, please follow the link to How to Apply.
How does The Keystone Center ensure the safety of YPS participants?
Students have adult supervision throughout the entire week. Staff will be staying in the dorms, and be available 24 hours in the case of an emergency. Keystone staff will meet students at the airport and provide transportation to and from the Summit location from a reliable charter service. Students are responsible for following safety requirements and policies as they are introduced at the beginning of the Summit.
What is Keystone's drug and alcohol policy?
Participants are responsible for self-administering any prescription drugs they bring with them to the summit. Any illegal drugs and alcohol are prohibited at any time during the YPS program, and can be grounds for dismissal. Keystone is not responsible for covering travel needs or refunding program fees for any student who violates TKC or the host school's policies. Please see the Liability and Medical form for a detailed outline of Keystone's policies.
Can I attend more than one YPS program?
We will give priority to applicants who are new to YPS. Please contact a Program Manager to discuss options if you are interested in more than one YPS program.
I can only make it to part of the Summit week, can I still apply?
We strongly encourage students to commit to the entire program. It is essential that all stakeholder voices are represented, and if a student is absent it can skew the group's recommendations. Please contact a Program Manager to discuss your options before applying.
Can I request to room with a friend?
Yes! Please indicate on your application who you would like to room with and YPS staff will do their best to accommodate your request, although we can make no guarantees.
What is the pre-summit research assignment like?
YPS staff will provide you with a comprehensive research assignment prior to the Summit week. There are two parts: topic research and stakeholder research. For topic research, we ask you use the assignment as a guide for exploring and understanding the basic components of the Summit topic so that you will feel comfortable discussing it during the week. On the first full day of the Summit, we will review the research you did, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions.We do not require you to write a research paper, however, we expect you to bring your notes, sources, and any information you found with you to the summit.
You will be responsible for representing the interests and values of your stakeholder throughout the week. Using the assignment as a guide, familiarize yourself with your stakeholder: what they do, what is most important to them, how they are related to the summit topic, how they interact with other organizations and groups, etc. We do not require you to write a research paper, however, we expect you to bring your notes, sources, and any information you found with you to the summit.
We anticipate at the very least 2 hours of preparation work.
Is YPS something I can put on my resume and college applications?
Yes! YPS staff is happy to help you explain your experiences and highlight skills learned through YPS. We have also helped YPS alums make connections for internship opportunities and presentations, as well as written recommendations for some of our outstanding YPS participants! Please visit the Alumni page for more information about the YPS alumni community, and available opportunities!
How do I get to and from a YPS program?
If you are flying to a YPS program, you are responsible for covering your own airfare to and from a selected airport. TKC offers bus service from a specific airport for each YPS program, as noted in each Program Description. If you are driving to a YPS program, you are responsible for arriving on campus. Once you have been accepted into a program you will receive detailed instructions about required arrival times for those traveling by air and car.
Photo by Peter Crysdale.
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