NRHS RailCamp Scholarships
Scholarship applications will be available in January and posted on the NRHS website
For close to three decades, the RPCA has provided and continues to provide scholarships for the NRHS RailCamp via our Caldwell-Luebke RailCamp Fund and the Stanlee E. Weiller RailCamp Fund.
As a memorial to our members, James Caldweill and Kevin Luebke, the Caldwell-Lubke RailCamp Fund was established for a deserving youth to participate in the NRHS RailCamp. Jim and Kevin were passionate about having the next generation involved and encouraging youth in the rail industry.
The Stanlee E. Weller RailCamp Fund is in memory of Stanlee Weller who was our long-time Treasurer. She worked in several roles among professional railroaders in the Class One and shortline rail industry. Her fund is the only nationwide resource specifically designated for young women wishing to attend RailCamp.
RailCamp is open to students entering grade nine to those graduating from twelfth grade. You do not need a sponsor or to belong to the NRHS. RPCA typically sponsors a male and female student thanks to the ongoing generosity of our members and our insurance industry partners.
For the Scholarships, we prefer to give priority to those students who are RPCA members, family of RPCA members or are members of organizations belonging to RPCA.
As you may imagine, camps fill up very quickly. Applications arrive quickly once the form is posted on the NRHS website -- typically by January 1st.
As you will see on the NRHS website, there are two RailCamps - one in the East and one in the West with limited capacity for both camps. RPCA scholarships cover the full cost of attending RailCamp excluding transportation to and from RailCamp. A camper’s ability to pay the tuition is not considered in reviewing candidates.
The young people attending RailCamp are anxious to learn about all aspects of railroading. Many want to be engineers and run trains. They soon learn that there is so much more to the rail industry. Employment opportunities are typically part of the program. When visiting our partners, many past campers, now employees, give talks and demonstrate how they have found careers in railroading.
RailCamp operates completely with volunteers. Directors, counselors and support staff give their time and knowledge to make this opportunity available. It is one of the most successful programs offered by the NRHS.
Railcamp Fund Donations
Funds for the RailCamp Scholarships are via donation and our collection efforts at our banquet during our Annual Conference. If you would like to contribute to the RPCA RailCamp Scholarships (or to the Fuehring Fund for Future Leaders) please contact our Treasurer. The RPCA Foundation is happy to take cash, checks and credit cards. Your generous donation to the Foundation is tax-deducible to the extent allowed by law.
RPCA Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 719
Quinton, VA 23141-0719
Applications
Scholarship applications will be available in January and posted on the NRHS website
For consideration for the scholarships, please mail your completed application to the address below, or to submit your application electronically, please contact Roy at rjwullich2@aol.com.
Roy Wullich
RPCA RailCamp Chairman
PO Box 719
Quinton, VA 23141-0719
Disclaimer: RPCA does not discriminate against any applicant for this scholarship based on race, religious affiliation or lack thereof, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, or handicapping condition. However, current RPCA members or those recommended by RPCA members will receive first preference. RPCA reserves the right to not award a scholarship if it determines there is no worthy applicants or candidates.