| Application deadline | May 1, 2027 (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Cost | $3,975 (2027 cycle) | $10,200 (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) | Need-based financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. About 40% of students receive aid; average award is 70% of tuition; awards include free or reduced-price gear rental and top packages include flights. (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) | Summer Term 2027 student account deposit: $500. Returned if unused.; Need-based financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. About 40% of students receive aid; average award is 70% of tuition; awards include free or reduced-price gear rental and top packages include flights.; Clarity financial aid application fee: $65. Only for aid applicants; automatically waived below a certain family income, or on request. (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 10–12 (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) | Ages 14–18; Requirement: Open to rising grades 10–12; Requirement: Willing to spend extended periods (10 days) outdoors in wilderness settings; no previous outdoor experience is required | 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) | Starts June 27, 2027; Ends July 24, 2027; 4 weeks (2027 cycle) | 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 | Leadville, CO | 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: HMI describes a typical cohort of 12-20 students; it does not publish a current applicant count or acceptance rate. Application materials: Summer Term application with two essay questions; Two teacher recommendations (at least one from a core academic teacher); 15-30 minute interview with the admissions team | 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 2026-08-22Source 5 · checked 2026-08-22Source 6 · checked 2026-08-22 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24 |
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