An interest to astronomy arises in all age groups of children irrespectively of their place of residence or social position of their parents. To support the enthusiasm of the young amateurs, to give them a possibility to test their knowledge and to help them to get in touch with their like-minded friends, astronomical Olympiads are regularly carrying out in Russia which involve some thousands of participants all over the country. Large cities like Moscow or St. Professional astronomers are involved into the composition of exercises on astronomy and their checking. Exercises include tasks and questions on different branches of astronomy and astrophysics which are quite availible for schoolchildren.
Some amateur experience is also desirable.
Winners of these Olympiads obtain privileges if they plan to enter Moscow or St. Petersburg Universities to study physics or astronomy. Olympiads were carried out five years in a row in different cities of Russia till now. As the next step, organizers plan to include some representatives of former soviet republics as competitors enjoying full rights, to extend the area of participants beyond Russia. The program of the School includes the acquaintance with the professional research programs, amateur observations, lectures, site-seeing excursions and recreations.