2014 NRA Youth Education Summit Begins in Washington, D.C.

Forty-five high school students from all over the United States have arrived in Washington, D.C. for this week's 2014 NRA Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.). The week-long expenses paid educational experience visits locations around the nation's capital, teaching the significance of the American Constitution, the Bill of Rights, our federal government, and the importance of being active in civic affairs.

Scheduled stops include the Capitol Building, Manassas National Battlefield Park, Marine Corps Base Quantico, the National Archives, the Newseum, a safe introduction to the shooting sports at NRA Headquarters, and more historic sites in the greater Washington, D.C. area.

Y.E.S. provides many opportunities for students to develop their leadership, public speaking, and debate skills during the week. The summit's closing banquet on Saturday, June 28 will award $15,000 in college scholarships to participants who have excelled in the week's activities. An additional $15,000 in college scholarships will become available through the Y.E.S. Grand Scholarship, a nine-month project following the summit encouraging students to promote NRA programs, such as Eddie Eagle GunSafe or Refuse To Be A Victim, in their communities.

Any high school sophomore or junior with at least a 3.00 grade point average is eligible to attend Y.E.S. This year's class was selected from hundreds of qualified applicants. Each prospective attendee completed an extensive application process comprised of essays about the Second Amendment, personal statements, transcripts and three personal recommendations.

The National Rifle Association launched the Youth Education Summit in 1996 to encourage America's youth to become active and knowledgeable citizens at both the national and local levels. Funding for Y.E.S. is provided through the NRA Foundation from monies raised by Friends of NRA, a grassroots fund-raising program in support of the shooting sports.

To learn more about the Youth Education Summit program, visit their website at www.friendsofnra.org/yes or email [email protected].