NEW BEGINNINGS FOR TRIBAL STUDENTS (NBTS)

Tribal and Indigenous Youth Camp:

Next Camp August 09 -14, 2026

Application for 2026 Now Open! Apply HERE.

The Environmental Leadership for Youth (ELY) Camp is a residential summer experience for Tribal and Indigenous high school students, hosted on the Oregon State University main campus as part of the New Beginnings for Tribal Students (NBTS) program. 

ELY Camp is designed to spark curiosity in environmental sciences, strengthen cultural connection, and expand access to higher education through hands-on learning, mentorship, and community. Youth explore environmental pathways while building relationships with Indigenous leaders, natural resource professionals, graduate students, and current OSU students. 

The camp welcomes Oregon youth entering grades 9–12 who self-identify as Tribal and/or Indigenous. In keeping with principles of Tribal sovereignty and self-determination, no documentation of Tribal enrollment is required. 

New Beginnings for Tribal Students Environmental Leadership for Youth Camp (ELY) 2025

What Makes ELY Camp Unique 

ELY Camp offers students an authentic introduction to college life while centering Indigenous knowledge, leadership, and lived experience. 

During camp, youth will have the opportunity to: 

• Dorm in OSU residence halls 

• Learn in college classrooms and labs 

• Eat in campus dining facilities 

Youth also participate in place-based field learning across western Oregon, connecting classroom learning with land, water, and community.  

     
Left: Ayuthea sharing Indigenous cedar basket knowledge at the ina haws with ELY Camp 2025; Right: NBTS ELY Campers at Forestry Peavy Hall

NBTS ELY Campers at Hatfield Marine Science Center  

Learning Experiences May Include:

• Team-building and leadership challenge activities 

• Canoe paddling and water-based learning 

• Hands-on science labs at the Hatfield Marine Science Center 

• Guided hikes and outdoor exploration at Marys Peak 

• Visits to ecological restoration and stewardship sites 

• Tribal games, storytelling, and cultural activities 

• Swimming and recreational wellness activities 

Activities vary each year and are designed to be engaging, active, and youth-centered 

Pathways to College & Environmental Careers 

Throughout the week, students learn about: 

• Environmental science and natural resource career pathways 

• Academic programs at Oregon State University 

• Financial aid, scholarships, and college access tools 

• The importance of honoring Indigenous Knowledge alongside Western science 

Youth connect with Indigenous college students, campus leaders, and professionals who share their journeys and offer guidance about navigating higher education. 

ELY Camp 2025 canoe journey

Participant Support & Stipend

Youth are supported 24/7 by trained staff and college student mentors. 

There is no cost to participate in ELY Camp. Youth who complete the camp will receive a stipend in recognition of their time, learning, and leadership. 

Community & Partnerships 

ELY Camp is shaped through ongoing collaboration with the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians, whose leadership and guidance inform the program each year. 

The camp is supported in partnership with Oregon Sea Grant, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences and the College of Agricultural Sciences. 

Learn More 

Read Oregon Sea Grant’s January 2024 article: “Summer Camps Introduce Indigenous and Migrant Youth to Science and College”