NRESci Academy
NRESci Academy
In-PersonLast Revised: Jan 14th, 2026
Event Description
What is NRESci? The NRESci Academy is a three-year program designed to teach youth about their natural environment through hands-on investigations of Kentucky’s water, forest, entomology, and wildlife resources.
When does the Academy meet? The Academy is a three-year commitment, meeting quarterly each year. Delegates attend a two-day residential retreat at Feltner 4-H Camp in September and participate in three 1-day events held in winter, spring, and summer. Locations vary across the state, including places like Salato Wildlife Education Center, Robinson Forest, Lost River Cave, and UK Campus. Note that substantial travel is required for families, as 1-day events take place across the state.
One-day events are generally held on weekdays in October/November, February/March, and May. Dates for the 2026–2027 program year are still being finalized. Tentative dates are listed in the application packet but may change based on availability.
Transportation: Families are responsible for providing transportation to and from events. Some county Extension staff may provide transportation, while others rely on families. Please note that this program does require significant travel as we meet at various locations throughout the state.
Who can apply? Applicants must be in the 5th grade at the time of application (upcoming 6th graders in Fall). If selected, youth and families must commit to the three-year program. To provide a high-quality, hands-on experience, the NRESci Academy is limited to 25 new first-year members.
Cost: The program costs $175/year, covering lodging and meals for the Fall Retreat and programming costs for the 1-day events. Partial and full scholarships may be available, with applications provided by June.
What do youth do in the Academy? Each year, delegates focus on a different core area (water, entomology, forestry, wildlife) at the retreat and interact with experts. Activities include stream sampling, forest measurement, wildlife observation, insect collection, and more. Youth visit various natural areas throughout Kentucky, such as Lost River Cave, Salato Wildlife Education Center, Minor E. Clark Fish Hatchery, Pine Mountain Settlement School, Robinson Forest, and the University of Kentucky’s campus.