| Application deadline | May 1, 2027 (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Cost | $3,975 (2027 cycle) | $3,445–$7,195 (2027 cycle) | Last year's cycle (2026): Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Financial aid | ASC financial aid funds (general fund, Sydney Stark Jr. Memorial fund, Military Family fund): Up to $3,975. General fund up to half of tuition; Stark fund up to full tuition; Military Family fund at least half. (2027 cycle) | Sibling discount (5% of tuition): Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Discounts cannot be combined.; Educator-parent discount (10% of tuition): Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Requires proof of full-time employment as a primary or secondary educator.; Scholarships through partner organizations: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Expenses and aid conditions | Nonrefundable tuition deposit at registration: $150. Part of tuition; secures an accepted camper's spot.; ASC financial aid funds (general fund, Sydney Stark Jr. Memorial fund, Military Family fund): Up to $3,975. General fund up to half of tuition; Stark fund up to full tuition; Military Family fund at least half. (2027 cycle) | Application fee: $95. Non-refundable.; Enrollment deposit: $700; Sibling discount (5% of tuition): Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Discounts cannot be combined.; Educator-parent discount (10% of tuition): Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Requires proof of full-time employment as a primary or secondary educator.; Scholarships through partner organizations: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site (2027 cycle) | Last year's cycle (2026): Residential lodging: $0. Covered by STARTALK funding for accepted students.; Meals during the residential camp: $0. Covered by STARTALK funding for accepted students.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Stipend or pay | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Eligibility | Grades 8–12 and first-year college (provider uses rising grades) | Grades 7–12 and first-year college (provider uses rising grades) | Grades 9–12 (provider uses rising grades) |
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| Additional eligibility | Ages 13–19; Requirement: Open to rising grades 8–13; Requirement: Must be 13 to 19 at the start of camp (homeschool grade equivalents accepted) | Requirement: Open to rising grades 7–13; Requirement: High school trips: entering 9th grade through graduating 12th grade; Requirement: Middle school trip: entering 7th grade through graduating 8th grade | Requirement: Open to rising grades 9–12; Requirement: Limited or no prior exposure to Chinese; Requirement: Priority consideration for students from the Southern Appalachian region, especially Western North Carolina and East Tennessee |
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| Session dates or duration | Starts June 23, 2027; Ends July 15, 2027; 3 weeks (2027 cycle) | Catalog terms: 1–3 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 15, 2026; Ends July 3, 2026; 3 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Format | In person | In person | Hybrid |
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| Housing and supervision | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Location | Staunton, VA | Program-specific international and U.S. territory itineraries; current departures use Houston, New York, Miami or self-booked flights | Boone, NC |
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| Selection and application | Selection: Attendance was by acceptance, applications were reviewed monthly, and accepted-student registration was first-come, first-served. ASC did not publish applicant count, acceptance rate, or detailed judging rubric. | Selection: Capacity- and fit-based enrollment rather than a single selective cohort. A completed application and payment reserve a space subject to trip availability, documentation, health and conduct requirements. | Selection: Rolling admission to 18 places, with priority for Southern Appalachian students, especially western North Carolina and east Tennessee. No application count, acceptance rate, rubric, waitlist rule, or decision timeline is published. Application materials: Statement of interest (150-200 words) |
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| Official sources | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-08-20Source 4 · checked 2026-08-20 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-08-20 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24 |
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