ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Air Force Association's (AFA) CyberPatriot program will be hosting its third round of CyberCamps throughout the United States this summer. Registration will be open from March 1 through May 1, 2017. Closing with a record 85 camps in 2016, AFA strives to increase participation to grow the program to over 100 camps during the summer session.

AFA CyberCamps are week-long seminars designed to educate students in grades six through twelve on the introductory topics of cyber ethics and network security. Each camp culminates with a mock cyber defense competition.  Hosted during the summer months by approved schools and organizations, AFA CyberCamp curriculum kits include several 4-hour instruction and activity modules, accompanying instructor guides, student workbooks, and demonstration software.

In addition to the traditional CyberCamp model, CyberPatriot has partnered with Cyber Diamond sponsor Cisco to offer limited pilot CyberCamp program geared toward more advanced students in partnership with Cisco.

"CyberPatriot is grateful for Cisco's enthusiastic support of AFA CyberCamps over the past two summers. We are thrilled to be partnering with Cisco to create an intermediate camp pilot that will help address the continued need to provide challenging STEM related activities for students beyond the school year," said Bernie Skoch, Cyber Patriot National Commissioner.

Cisco's involvement in the CyberCamp program opens the door to countless students to continue their passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) career fields. 

"I am very pleased to announce that the initial success with cyber camps has led to an expansion to include camps for more advanced students.  Now both entry level and advanced participants can access customized preparation via the NetAcad learning platform for this year's CyberPatriot competition. We are thrilled to see our partnership with CyberPatriot expanding for the benefit of our students," said Greg Prynn, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at Cisco Systems Inc.

CyberPatriot, created by the Air Force Association, aims to inspire high school and middle school students to pursue careers in cyber security and other STEM disciplines critical to our nation's future. Supporters of CyberPatriot include Northrop Grumman Foundation, CyberPatriot's Presenting Sponsor, as well as Cyber Diamond sponsors AT&T and the AT&T Foundation, Cisco, Microsoft, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense; Cyber Gold sponsors Facebook, Riverside Research, Splunk, and Symantec; and Cyber Silver sponsors Air Force Reserve, American Military University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Leidos, and University of Maryland University College.

The Air Force Association is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association. Our mission is to promote a dominant United States Air Force and a strong national defense, and to honor Airmen and our Air Force Heritage.

SOURCE Air Force Association

Related Links

http://www.afa.org