YAP 2008 Frequently Asked Questions

What is YAP?
The Youth Adventure Program (YAP) is a series of one week courses designed to encourage career exploration in fields of interest to gifted and talented students. The camp is open to any student entering 6th through 12th grade in the fall of 2008. YAP applicants are typically students who are highly motivated to learn, think, and solve problems, and they typically have a strong interest in going to a college, university, and/or professional school. Each YAP participant selects one area of interest and studies only that area for an entire YAP session, getting in-depth insights into the experiences of professionals in that particular field. Applicants are admitted on a first come basis.
Where is YAP held?
2008 Yappers will be housed in The Tradition at Northgate, a private dormitory located just off the Texas A&M campus. The amenities this facility provides include suite-style accommodations, swimming pool, movie-theater, and common areas. The Texas A&M Recreation Center will be used for swimming, jogging, basketball, volleyball, racquetball, and ping-pong. Camp orientation will be held on Sunday night following the check-in period. At this time, campers will be provided with opportunities to meet the camp staff and fellow "Yappers" through special "getting-to-know-you" activities. Other evening events will include game shows, swim parties, and our heralded "Wacky Olympics" and "Amazing Race" competitions.
When is YAP held?
The Youth Adventure Program is hosted for different age groups during different weeks of the summer. In 2008, there will be three different YAP sessions:

YAP I: July 13-18 (Sunday-Friday)
Students entering grades 6-9 in the fall of 2008

YAP II: July 20-26 (Sunday-Saturday)
Students entering grades 9-12 in the fall of 2008

YAP III: July 27-August 2 (Sunday-Saturday)
Students entering grades 9-12 in the fall of 2008
When is YAP check-in?
Check-in for all sessions of the Youth Adventure Program occur between the hours of 2:30 and 5:00 p.m. Parents (guardians) should plan to deliver students to the Tradition at Northgate dorm on Sunday of their respective session. Detailed driving directions to the dorm will be included in your information packet (once accepted to the program). Early check-in is not allowed.
How much does YAP cost?
The cost of the Youth Adventure Program for 2008 is $899.00 for a one-week session. A $399.00 registration fee, which is refundable until April 28, is necessary to hold a student's position and must accompany the application. The remaining $500.00 must be received by May 19 for YAP I, May 23 for YAP II, and May 27 for YAP III. Without final payments, the student's reservation is subject to cancellation. Payment in full is also accepted at the time of initial registration. The $899 fee covers private dorm accommodations, full meal services, instructional materials, transportation around campus, professor fees, camp t-shirt, and all recreational events. Students may need spending money for personal expenses. For the 2008 Youth Adventure Program, the Performance Theater course will cost $999.00 and will run from Friday, July 18 – Saturday, July 26.
Who teaches the YAP courses?
University professors and other professionals will teach YAP classes. While they may do some lecturing to introduce concepts and principles, YAP places a major emphasis on discussion (i.e., yapping) and hands-on activities to get students in the investigative process!
So do I just sit in classes all day every day for a week?
Classes usually meet from 9:00-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. But as the photo section on this web site will show you, YAP also includes a significant portion of social and recreational time in the late afternoons and evenings to provide for student interaction in other settings. From swimming and athletic activities at the TAMU recreation facility to nights out on the town, scavenger hunts, and energetic team competitions, YAP is an action-packed week that provides valuable career insights and creates lifelong friendships.
How do I register for YAP?
To register, students may complete and mail the application form included in the YAP brochure, or register online at http://yap.tamu.edu. A $399.00 registration fee, which is refundable until April 28, is necessary to hold a student's position and must accompany the application. The remaining $500.00 must be received by May 19 for YAP I, May 23 for YAP II, and May 27 for YAP III. Without final payments, the student's reservation is subject to cancellation. Payment in full is also accepted at the time of initial registration. An information packet will be mailed to each student directly following student registration. This packet will include detailed information including arrival and departure times/directions, an itemized checklist of things to bring, and a link to download the medical, insurance, and release forms necessary for attendance. Please complete all paperwork and mail/fax them back to us at least 2 weeks before your student arrives in camp.
How do I get to YAP?
Most students are brought to YAP by their parents, grandparents or guardians. Parents should plan to deliver students to The Tradition at Northgate dorm between 2:30 and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday of the appropriate session. Please contact the YAP office and inform us if your child is a licensed driver and will be driving him or herself to camp.
If I want to arrange air transportation for my son/daughter's arrival or departure for YAP camp, is this allowed and is airport transportation to/from the camp provided?
Parents (guardians) who wish to have their student arrive via air will need to complete a travel information form and have that on file with YAP staff prior to arrival so that appropriate transportation arrangements can be made.

Shuttle service can be provided to and from the College Station airport (airport code CLL) for students flying in to attend YAP. Continental and American Airlines service the College Station airport from Houston and Dallas respectfully. There are no non-stop flights from any other cities into College Station. Students arriving from out of state or from other cities will have to change planes before arriving into College Station.

Due to insurance and liability issues, we may not transport parents to and from the airport (if arriving with their student).
When/where is YAP check-out?
All students participating in a YAP camp session in College Station will check-out at the Tradition at Northgate dorm (where they checked in). YAP I (July 13-18) students will depart on Friday night after an Awards ceremony / reception which will be held from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. on campus. Students in YAP II (July 20-26) and YAP III (July 27-August 2) must be picked up between 10:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. at the dorm on the Saturday of their scheduled departure (July 26 or August 2).
Is it possible to talk to someone on the phone about YAP, so we can ask more questions?
Absolutely! For more information than you can possibly need, contact Dr. Jay Woodward, Director of the Youth Adventure Program:

Dr. Jay Woodward, Director, YAP
Phone: (979) 845-1802
Fax: (979) 845-3578
Department of Educational Psychology
4225 - TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-4225
Web site: http://yap.tamu.edu
e-mail: info@youthadventureprogram.com