Delegates to the 1963 National Youth Science Camp survey the area surrounding Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia. Spruce Knob is home to several unusual features, including exposed bolder fields, and ecosystems driven by the higher altitudes. When examined closely and digitally enhanced, the mountain range and surrounding distinctive fauna offer strong evidence that this photo was taken from this particular location.
Delegates have been attending National Youth Science Camps since then, and this year’s Science Camp marks the 49th anniversary. Armed with this photo and the previously mentioned evidence, a group of delegates and staph members from NYSC 2012 were able to relocate the site of the original photo, and duplicate the historic image. While the fauna and original contours of Spruce Knob had been altered by years of erosion and growth, the boulder remained in place.
The National Youth Science Foundation is excited to display this image for the first time ever today. As the archival process continues, we hope to continue to bring you images from camps Past. To see more images from this year’s National Youth Science Camp, visit the 2012 NYSC program page.
From the Archives is a reoccurring post that dives back into the archives of National Youth Science Foundation programs.