Parent Resources
A note to Parents and Guardians
Before submitting an application, we ask that families carefully review the program dates and attendance requirements to ensure full committment to Arkansas Governor's School schedule. The 2026 session will be held July 5 - August 1, 2026, on the campus of ֱ. Because AGS is a fully residential and immersive experience, it is important that students, and their families, plan accordingly to support uninterrupted participation for the full duration of the program.
If your family is unable to make this full commitment, we respectfully ask that your student not apply this year, as doing so may prevent another fully committed student from having the opportunity to participate.
Participation in Arkansas Governor's School requires a shared commitment from both students and parents or guardians. The program is designed to promote academic growth, personal development, and community engagement through four intensive weeks of coursework, discussion and residential life. Attendance for the entire 28-day session is required.
Students are permitted one 24-hour leave with prior approval during the program. Students have free time each Sunday from 8 am to 6 pm and are allowed to leave campus with an authorized adult.
AGS Business Office (Year-Round): 479-356-2037
Email: ags@atu.edu
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Emails are not monitored on weekends.
Camp Office (During Camp): 479-968-0391
Hours: Monday–Saturday: 8 a.m.–9 p.m. | Sunday: 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Note: The best way to contact your student during camp is through their personal cell phone.
Students will have the opportunity to review their application before submitting it. Please encourage your student to carefully check that all information is accurate and complete. Once they are satisfied, they must click “Submit” to finalize the application.
All applications must be submitted no later than February 16, 2026.
After submitting, students should follow up with their teacher to confirm that the recommendation request email was received and that the recommendation form has been completed. Please note that it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials are received for review by the AGS selection committee.
Key Dates for the 2026 AGS Application Cycle
Students may be checked out on Sundays between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. without prior approval. Any check-out outside this timeframe requires advance approval from the AGS Director. Please refer to the Student Handbook for details on submitting a special leave request.
Students may be checked out only by a parent/guardian or an authorized adult (age 18 or older) listed on the student’s approved check-out list. Please verify that the person picking up your student is on this list before arriving on campus.
ADDING NAMES TO THE APPROVED CHECK-OUT LIST
A parent or guardian must email ags@atu.edu with: The student’s full name, A photo of the parent/guardian’s, driver’s license, and the name(s) to be added.
Requests must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance. For weekend check-outs, the request must be received by Friday at noon. All names must be legal names of individuals 18 years or older.
SUNDAY CHECK-OUT
Sunday check-outs occur on the bottom floor of the student dormitory. If a student will return after 6 pm (with prior approval only) they will check back into camp in the AGS Camp Office, Baswell Techionery, Room 202.
All grocery or food deliveries should be addressed as follows: Baswell Techionery, (student name), 306 W. O Street, Russellville, AR 72801.
Students who have deliveries made to their dorm are breaking AGS camp rules and may be repirmanded. These procedures are in place for your safety.
All deliveries should be scheduled to coincide with student free time. It is not the camp staffs responsibility to receive deliveries for students.
Note: Students are allowed to have their cell phones, but will be asked to have them on silent or off during class time. It is a best practice to know your students class schedule. The best method of contacting your student is to contact them directly. The AGS office is not open after hours and the phone will not be answered. Voicemails are returned on the next business day.
For emergencies, you should first try to contact your student directly via a personal cell phone. During regular business hours you may call the AGS Camp Office (479-968-0391) or Business Office (479-356-2037). and we will try to locate your student.
If you are unable to reach AGS staff or your student and it is a true emergency, please call ֱ Public Safety at (479) 968-0222 (This number patches the caller into the campus public safety radio network, and is strictly for “life or death” emergencies). Please note that ATU's Public Safety Officers can neither take after-hour messages for the student or AGS Office nor pass on messages to AGS students, faculty, or staff.
The ֱ Post Office is open: Monday–Thursday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., and Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
All student packages are retrieved from the post office by AGS staff and may be picked up in the AGS Camp Office located in Baswell Techionery, Room 202, during regular office hours.
Please use the following address for all student mail and packages:
Arkansas Governor’s School
C/O [Student Name]
1711 Coliseum Drive
Russellville, AR 72801
Arkansas Governor's School Visitor Policy
To ensure the safety and well-being of all participants, Arkansas Governor's School
(AGS) maintains the following policy regarding visitors to campus.
Visitor Authorization and Check-In: All visitors must be approved in advance and appear on the student's authorized check-in/check-out list. Upon arrival, visitors must sign in through the AGS Camp Office and present photo identification. Visitors will receive a temporary visitor badge which must be worn at all times while in the designated visiting area.
Boundaries and Conduct: Visitors must remain within designated AGS visiting boundary as defined by program staff. If visitor intends to leave the designated AGS visiting boundary with the student, they should follow check out procedures instead. Visits are limited to approved student free time and must not conflict with any required AGS classes, seminars, performances, or activities. Visitors are expected to conduct themselves respectfully and comply with all AGS and university policies.
Student Responsibility: Students must obtain permission from parent/gaurdian before inviting a visitor to campus. Students and their parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that visitors understand and follow this visitation policy. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in the revocation of visitor privileges and/or disciplinary action for the student.
Note: AGS reserves the right to limit or deny visitor access at any time for safety, security, or programmatic reasons. Some events where visitors are in attendance may follow an alternate version of these visitor guidelines.