A simple application was all it took for four Junior ROTC students at Natrona County High School to be accepted into one of the military's most respected summer camps.

Matthew Brown, Josh McDonald, Aaron Stout and Michael Thayer are headed to the Air Force Junior ROTC Aerospace and Technology Honors Camp in Albuquerque, N.M. this summer.

"This is a first for the Mustang battalion," said Lt. Col. Peter Schmotzer, the senior Army instructor at the high school. "We don't know a whole lot about this."

The four boys basically sent some biographical information, and before long, had an acceptance notice from the camp, Schmotzer said.

This is the second year the camp is being offered to all groups in the military. Acceptance is partially based on grades, and for Air Force students, the camp typically accepts the top 1 percent of its class.

"I think it's going to be a great experience for these kids," Schmotzer said.

NC's Junior ROTC program is one of the oldest in the country. The program has enrolled cadets continuously since 1914, and has 83 students enrolled this year.

In ROTC, students learn about military history, the Department of Defense and how the Army is organized. Upperclassmen are responsible for teaching classes for new ROTC students, including how to wear their uniform and the expectations of the program.

At the camp, students will be immersed in technology at the University of New Mexico. They'll participate in hands-on experiments in physics, engineering and chemistry, spend time building rocket-powered race cars and gliders, and fly a small airplane with the help of a flight instructor.

"The goal of the camp is to introduce the cadets to the world of aerospace technology," Schmotzer said.

For the boys attending the camp, it's a chance to gain some new knowledge about the military.

"I'm planning to go into the military," said Matthew, 14. "I want to get a taste of everything before I make a decision."

Josh, 15, and Aaron, 17, said the honors camp is also a chance to bolster the resumes they'll submit when applying to the United States Navel Academy and the United States Air Force Academy.

Most of all, the boys are looking forward to being challenged at the camp and meeting students interested in other areas of the military.

"It's just going to be an interesting experience to see how the other half does it," Aaron said.

Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com.