International Astronomical Youth Camp: 2nd August – 22nd August 2026 in Mazarete, Spain
Imagine spending three weeks of your summer in the beautiful countryside – and with access to some of the darkest skies – working with other young people from all over the world on an astronomical project of your choice. The International Astronomical Youth Camp (IAYC) is a summer research camp aiming to promote knowledge on astronomy and related sciences in a unique international atmosphere. Celebrating diversity is deeply embedded in the culture of the camp – we are dedicated to making the camp accessible to all, and we especially welcome applications from minorities in STEM.
Each year the IAYC takes place in a different remote location, and it will be in beautiful Spain this year. The IAYC is different from most astronomy camps for two reasons: (1) it has a strong international character and (2) you will design and carry out your own small research project. You will not just accept facts, but you will discover them for yourself. We are proud of the incredible variety of projects that have been carried out during the camp over the past 50 years, which include building rockets and rovers; constructing radio telescopes; astrophotography; cultural astronomy; computer programming and machine learning; exoplanets; stellar evolution; cosmology; and so much more. We have a diverse network of previous IAYCers, who have all gone on to fulfil a diverse range of roles in science and beyond.
By night you will have access to a number of different telescopes, whether you are a complete beginner or a savvy expert. By afternoon (the morning is for sleeping), you will explore astronomy-related projects in one of nine working groups. The groups are led by young scientists and focus on a specific topic related to space and astronomy. There is something for everyone, from the complete beginner to the ambitious student. This year the working groups are:
AGONY - AmazinG prOjects on future techNologY
ASTERIX - Advanced Systems for Terrain Exploration by Rovers In eXtreme conditions
BEANS - Binaries, Eclipses ANd Stellar science
CLANKER - Computer LeArNing algorithms acquiring Knowledge to catEgoRize space
eSPARKLE - lEt's SPeculate: constellAtions oveR the night sKy, mythoLogy and sciencE
IRN-BRU - Images are Really Nice and oBserving is Really fUn
POETS SOCIETY - Poetry Only Enters The Soul by Surging Openly; it's Contained In Everything That You know
SIGMA - Stellar Investigators Got Mad Accuracy
SPACE BUGS - Searching for Past And Current Evidence of Biological Units on Geological Systems
This year we are especially excited as the camp will be taking place in the path of totality for the total solar eclipse in Spain on 12th August 2026. We will be making the most of this opportunity with observing, a solar telescope, and a viewing party!
As well as the astronomical programme, there are many non-astronomical activities such as group games; sporting events; cultural, singing and poetry evenings; hiking tours and an excursion.
Anyone from 16 to 24 years old and able to communicate in English (your English doesn't have to be perfect!) may participate in the IAYC 2026. The fee for accommodation, full board and the whole programme, including the excursion, is 1190 EUR and the application deadline is 22nd March 2026. We also have grants available, for those who would love to attend but do not have the funds.
For more details, application and grant forms, outlines of projects and pictures from previous camps please go to https://www.iayc.org/nextcamp/. Follow us on instagram (@iayc_astro), Facebook, or sign up to the mailing list here, to keep up to date with news about this and future camps!
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@iayc.org.
Best wishes and clear skies,
The IAYC Leaderteam
