The document describes the Almukantarat Astronomy Club, which aims to spark interest in science and space among Polish youth aged 15-16. The club hosts multi-day camps, seminars, and winter camps with 50-80 participants and 20-30 lecturers. Activities include lectures, discussions, and astronomy observations. The informal club has been successful for 30 years, with many past participants now on the staff, and produces the majority of Polish finalists in astronomy Olympiads. The goal is to continue spreading enthusiasm for astronomy through community and learning opportunities.

1. How to turn youth into
space geeks
Przemysław Gumienny
University of Warsaw

2. Consider this scenario
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15-16 years old
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Somehow interested in science
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Somehow accomplished at science

3. The letter

4. The camp's trivia
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50-80 participants
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20-30 lecturers and staff
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15-20 tents
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2 weeks
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1 forest
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Lots of fun and learning
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Very little free time

9. Meetings
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If you're a participant, then during one year
you can go to:
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1 two-week summer camp
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2 few days long seminars
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1 one-week winter camp
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If you're staff, double it up

11. How do we know it works and what
are the results of all this?

12. They are coming back!
Pretty much everyone on the staff had been a
participant once

13. Great community

15. Astronomy achievements
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Majority of finalists of Polish Astronomy and
Astrophysics Olympiad comes from
Almukantarat
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As well as usually majority of Polish team to
the International Olympiad on Astronomy and
Astrophysics

17. Going strong for 30 years

18. And hoping for another 30 years

19. Summing up:
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Astronomy club based on constantly changing
group of friends
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Rather unofficial
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Manages to spread love for space amongst
the youth for 30 years

20. Almukantarat Astronomy Club
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Almukantarat.pl
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Facebook.com/Almukantarat