Pittman, A.
Davidson Institute for Talent Development
2001
This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by A. Pittman, who provides key questions to ask about summer programs for profoundly gifted young people. It also offers rationale for asking the questions and what answers to look for.
This is a seminar for parents on summer programs for the gifted. The compiled suggestions for choosing a program along with programs recommended by other parents of profoundly intelligent kids are listed below.
Although the snow is flying and summer seems a long way off, it is never too early to make plans for summer programs. Summer programs can provide great opportunities for children to explore specific subject areas in unique, intensive settings. They can also provide unparalleled social experiences.
Choosing the right program for your child can be a challenge. Below is a list of questions to consider when researching different summer programs as well as eleven highly recommended programs. We recommend that you include your child in the process of searching and selecting a summer program to help insure that there is a good match between your child's interests and abilities and what the program is offering.
Questions to consider when researching summer programs:
To begin the research process, sit down with your child and have him/her describe the perfect summer experience. Drawing from this experience, you and your child can work together to find the most appropriate program that fits his/her intellectual, social, athletic, and other interests. Through this exploration one can find a good mix of what he/she would like in a program. Once you and your child have "brainstormed" what the perfect summer program should include, we recommend you begin your search using the Davidson Gifted Database. With the following questions in mind, you and your child can search through the numerous summer programs listed to find one that best suits your child's needs.
Where is the program located?
Many programs are offered by colleges and universities and may require attendees to travel to a designated location. When investigating potential summer programs, inquire about accommodations, travel, etc. If your child is not ready for the residential experience, some summer programs offer "satellite" programs that may be closer to home.
Is the program residential or non-residential?
You and your child should decide together if he/she is comfortable and mature enough for a residential program. Staying in a dorm room on a campus can be exciting for some, but can be intimidating to others. If the program is residential, and your child is not ready for this, ask if there is an option to stay at a nearby hotel so you can pick your child up at the end of each day and bring him/her back in the morning.
If you are not sure how your child will react to staying away from home (without his/her parents), try a short residential camp, nearby, first. This can be a great way to "test the waters" before investing in a longer residential experience. Residential programs, while usually more expensive, can give your child the opportunity to participate in a broader range of activities and provide more intense social opportunities.
How is the program organized and run, in essence, what are their rules and policies?
A good program will include social, physical, and academic learning experiences. A program that is focused entirely on one area is not recognizing the importance of educating and developing the whole child. A well-balanced program will be engaging, challenging, and interesting. The program should give your child a good mix of structured and unstructured activities.
A quality summer program should have specific, delineated goals and strategies. It is recommended that you investigate what these goals are and determine whether or not your child will benefit from them AND whether there is a good match between your child's personality, learning style, etc. and the designated strategies.
It is also recommended that you ask specific questions about the rules and policies regarding supervision. Questions such as, how are the children's interaction with each other monitored? How many staff members are present? How are problems among children handled when they arise? These are particularly important areas to investigate if you are considering a residential program. It is important that the program provides the appropriate amount of structure and that safety, both physical and emotional, is top priority.
What are the qualifications of the staff?
The quality (and quantity) of staff members is integral to a successful program. Without a solid core, it is likely that the program will not meet your or your child's expectations. Questions to consider include, does the program hire qualified and experienced people to work at the program? Is there a counseling staff that will support my child should he/she need it? How much experience do the staff members have working with highly and profoundly gifted children? Have all staff members received safety training? Who supervises the staff?
How much does the program cost?
Programs can vary greatly in cost. Residential programs will generally be more expensive than non-residential programs. There are often fees in addition to the actual tuition, including lab fees, book fees, travel, etc.
Are scholarships available?
Most programs offer scholarships and/or financial aid. Many programs do not "advertise" this, so remember to ask, particularly if you don't see it included in their materials.
What are the requirements to be eligible for the program, and does my child meet these requirements?
Whether it be age, grade, or testing, almost all programs have requirements for students to be eligible for their program. Find out what the requirements are and make sure that your child meets these requirements before applying. For homeschooling families and/or families whose children have been grade accelerated, it is important to find out what policies the program has for admitting a child. Questions to consider include, can they apply for the grade level they are working at or do they have to apply for what grade they would be in if in the public school? Are there any exceptions for accepting younger students who may be working at a higher level? Have they admitted younger students before? These questions are all important to ask programs to find the most fulfilling program for your child.
Are there deadlines that I must meet to apply for the program?
All summer programs have application deadlines. Some will give a discount for applying to the program before a certain date. You may find it helpful to create a "summer camp" calendar marked with all of the deadlines for programs offered this year and next, especially, since many programs require testing and/or letters of recommendation to be considered for admission, which means their deadlines to apply can be many months before the actual camp.
Does the program offer credit for high school or college?
Ask if the program offers credit for the course(s) that your child is taking. Some will be equivalent to the course a child would take during the school year, and he/she can get credit for taking this class. Such a program can help your child earn credits for college or high school, and help to broaden his/her transcript. Make sure to get this information in writing at the conclusion of the course.
And, one final note, keep track of what courses your child takes during the summer; ask for transcripts if they are available. Including these experiences on applications can be an excellent way to demonstrate your child's well-rounded education.
Highly Recommended Summer Programs
There are a variety of summer programs listed in the Davidson Gifted Database; however, the following programs were highly recommended by our Davidson Young Scholars and their parents. If there is a program you would like to add to the Davidson Gifted Database, there is a link to recommend a resource in the Davidson Gifted Database.
- The Center for Excellence in Education Science Research Institute
"Each summer, the Research Science Institute (RSI) brings 50 U.S. and 25 international high school students together at MIT for six of the most stimulating weeks of their young lives. Carefully selected from the U.S. and other nations, these students participate in an academic program emphasizing mathematics, the sciences, and engineering, and complete hands-on research projects guided by mentors at universities, corporations, and research centers in the Boston area." Click here to view the Davidson Gifted Database record.
- John's Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth
The Center for Talented Youth (CTY) summer programs offer a unique educational experience for academically talented students from all over the country. CTY's summer programs are geared both to the students' high abilities and to their need for peers who share their academic abilities and their love of learning. The three-week program offers the student intense immersion in a single subject. Courses span a range of liberal arts disciplines, including language, history, and the arts, as well as mathematics and science. All courses are designed to be challenging and are taught well above grade level. Classes are small, averaging 12 students, and there is a teaching assistant for each course. Students live on campus under the supervision of resident assistants. Click here to view the Davidson Gifted Database record.
- Northwestern University Center for Talent Development
"Apogee, Spectrum, and Equinox students at CTD enroll in one class for the three-week program. First session students may also stay and take a different course during the second three-week session. Classes meet for five to six hours a day, depending on the program, and are divided into morning and afternoon components. Students do not attend classes on weekends, but they may attend study sessions depending on the program." Click here to view the Davidson Gifted Database record.
- Belin and Blank Center
The Institute provides exceptionally talented students with an intensive and advanced educational experience designed to enhance their intellectual and social growth. This institute also provides diverse program choices for students of all ages. Click here to view the Davidson Gifted Database record.
- Center for Bright Kids (formerly known as the Rocky Mountain Talent Search Summer Institute)
The Luminary Project is a three-week residential program held on campus for mature 8th-11th graders. Students focus on one intensive course of study for six hours a day that is an equivalent to one full year of honors level high school content or one semester of college content. Click here to view the Davidson Gifted Database record.
- Duke University Summer Studies Program
TIP Summer Studies Programs offer students in grades 7-10 the opportunity to learn highly challenging material at rates commensurate with their advanced abilities. Students enroll in a single TIP-designed course for three weeks of in-depth study; they attend nearly 40 hours of class each week between Monday morning and Saturday afternoon for a program total of 114 hours. Click here to view the Davidson Gifted Database record.
- U.S. Space Camp
This is a five-day camp designed to show young people what it is like to be an astronaut. Training includes simulated Space Shuttle missions, rocket building and launches, and training simulators. Programs are offered in Florida, Alabama, and California. They also offer the Brightest Stars program for gifted and talented students in Alabama. Click here to view the Davidson Gifted Database record.
- Concordia College Language Camps
In Concordia Language Villages they have a variety of languages for you to choose from. Your child can also choose the length of the program he/she would like to take. The program offers support in building the leadership, academic, and social skills of each student through an intensive language immersion program. Click here to view the Davidson Gifted Database record.
Conclusion
Finding an appropriate summer program for your child can be challenging, but if you prepare early and follow the suggestions above it will help to make the process smoother. Remember that this experience should be an enjoyable and memorable one for your child, therefore, be sure to take into consideration your child's insight. Whichever program you and your child decide is right, the experience will prove to be a rewarding one that your child will remember for years to come.
References
Callahan, Carolyn M. How to Choose a Summer Program, National Association for Gifted Children, updated 1997.
Ware, Cindy - Discovering Interests and Talents through Summer Experiences, ERIC Digest, N. E491, 1990.
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