The following is a list of residential summer programs recommended for highly intelligent young people. Links to websites are provided so that parents and students may investigate more about an individual program. While the Davidson Institute does not endorse any specific programs, this list includes programs that have been recommended by parents, professionals and young people associated with the Davidson Institute.

Alabama - U.S. Space and Rocket Center Space Camp
These programs are offered to a variety of ages depending on the course that you pick.

Arizona - Astronomy Camp at the University of Arizona
Students are fully immersed in the life of an astonomer. They keep nighttime hours, use research telescopes, record observations and interact with leading scientists.

Arizona - Summer of Excellence Program at the University of Arizona
This program offers high school students the ability to take college courses during the summer while living on campus at the University of Arizona.

California - Academic Talent Development Program
The Elementary Division (ED) invites outstanding students to a three-week summer session near UC Berkeley, at Castro Elementary School in El Cerrito. The Secondary Division (SD) brings academically talented students to the Berkeley campus for a six-week.

California - Astrocamp
Students spend time using microscopes and telescopes and exploring "mystery planetary surfaces".

California - COSMOS California State Summer School for Math and Science
The COSMOS course clusters address topics not traditionally taught in high schools such as astronomy, aerospace engineering, biomedical sciences, computer science, wetlands ecology, ocean science, robotics, game theory, and more.

California - Idyllwild Arts Summer Program in Creative Writing
Seperate workshops in fiction, poetry and playwritting are offered for stuednts at all levels of ability. Ages 14-18

California - Stanford University EPGY Summer
The EPGY Summer Institutes are three-week and four-week residential programs for academically talented and motivated high-school students. The Summer Institutes provide academic enrichment through intensive study in a single course, covering topics that are not typically offered in high school.

California - Stanford University Math Camp (SuMAC)
Mathematically talented and motivated high-school students from across the United States, and from around the world, spend four weeks at Stanford University, focused on mathematical pursuits.

California - Stanford University Summer Session for High School Students
As a High School Summer College student during summer you will take undergraduate courses and earn Stanford University credit. You will also participate in many interesting and entertaining activities that enhance the academic experience.

California - MathPath
A summer program and resource for middle school students showing promise in math.

California - University of California at San Diego Academic Connections
This program is a pre-college summer academic and residential experience targeted to highly motivated, high achieving, college-bound high school students who want to explore the best UCSD has to offer.

California - University of California at Irvine’s Gifted Students Academy
This program encourages students to collaborate with peers, utilize resources and gain knowledge from a major research institution.

California/New York/Vermont - School of Cinema and Performing Arts (SOCAPA)
Tired of sitting in the audience? Want to be up on the screen instead? Join the next generation of dramatic performers and visual storytellers at SOCAPA, the School of Cinema and Performing Arts.

Colorado - Leadership Enrichment Program (Young Child Program at Northern Colorado)
Each participant will be involved in four classes per day plus evening options. Two of the classes are designed to enhance leadership abilities. In addition, students will assist a teacher in the Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) class of their choice.

Colorado - Rocky Mountain Talent Search Summer Institute
Students with exceptional ability in mathematical and verbal areas are offered a special selection of enrichment courses on the D.U. campus. Classes are small and curriculum is fast-paced.

Connecticut - Kent School Summer Writers Camp
Offers classroom and workshop instruction in creative writing, with approximately 50 students. Ages 8-10

Connecticut - UConn Mentor Connection
We believe students' interests, abilities, and motivation are very important talents. We also believe that it is essential for students to have opportunities to manifest their talents in high levels of creative productivity.

Delaware - University of Delaware Summer College Program
The University of Delaware offers students the ability to live on campus and take offered courses to earn University credit. Classes have included; world religions, general chemistry, general psychology, and mass communication and culture.

Florida - Florida Governor’s Summer Program for Gifted and High-Achieving Students
This program is full of summer courses that utilize the Florida State College systems resources. It appears to cater toward Florida residents in grades 8-12.

Illinois - Center for Talent Development (CTD) - Northwestern University - Summer Programs
Programs include Apogee, Spectrum, & Equinox that mix academics with fun to accelerate the learning process. Pre-K through grade 12.

Iowa - Junior Scholars Academy
Junior Scholars Academy (JSA) is a one-week residential summer academic program at The University of Iowa for Belin-Blank Center students. Each session is one week long. Students take a single advanced level course for the entire week.

Iowa - National Scholars Academy
The courses offered are: Modern Approaches to Biomedical Research, The Law: Trial Style & Litigation, Advanced Biomedical Research, Reel Reading: Introduction to Film Analysis, Materials Engineering, Explorations in Contemporary Art, Materials Engineering, Leadership, Reel Reading: An Introduction to Film Analysis, Environmental Science, Presidents, Power and the Art of Persuasion.

Iowa - Office of Precollegiate Programs for Talented and Gifted Youth at Iowa State University
This program matches students with appropriate learning experiences and emphasizes an approach to teaching that underscores strengths and encourages high achievement.

Iowa - The University of Iowa - Summer Programs at the Belin-Blank Center
Experience college life and learn by taking challenging courses. Programs are available from 3rd to 11th grade.

Kentucky - The Summer Camp for Academically Talented Middle School Students (SCATS)
This two-week summer camp for students in grades 6-8 provides a diverse curriculum and a wide range of enrichment experiences. Students choose four classes ranging from computer science and mathematics to science and foreign languages.

Kentucky - Summer Program for Verbally and Mathematically Precocious Youth (VAMPY)
The Center for Gifted Studies at Western Kentucky University, through a cooperative arrangement with the Duke Talent Identification Program, is pleased to offer the three-week residential Summer Program for very bright students.

Kentucky - Western Kentucky University - Center for Gifted Studies
Students choose four classes ranging from computer science and mathematics to science and foreign languages in the two-week The Summer Camp for Academically Talented Middle School Students. This serves as a prelude for The Center's next opportunity: The Summer Program for Verbally and Mathematically Precocious Youth.

Louisiana - Southern Methodist University - Talented and Gifted (TAG) Program
SMU's Talented and Gifted program (TAG) offers intellectual challenges and exciting learning experiences to academically accelerated students completing the seventh, eighth, or ninth grade.

Louisiana - Governor’s Program for Gifted Children in Louisiana
The Governor's Program for Gifted Children is seven weeks of academic enrichment, artistic opportunity, and friendship. A residential program at McNeese State University, the GPGC is the oldest and most comprehensive enrichment program for gifted students in Louisiana. With an approach that aims to develop the whole child, the GPGC provides for the intellectual, creative, and social needs of gifted children.

Maryland - CAA Science Courses
Students in CAA science courses gather and interpret data, master important scientific concepts, and learn to recognize relationships among physical phenomena. In addition to lectures and reading assignments, science courses include oral presentations and written assignments, particularly lab reports.

Maryland - Center for Talented Youth (CTY)
This website is for all summer programs through the John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth. The programs cater to academically talented children from second to twelfth grade.

Maryland - University of Maryland - Young Scholars Program
A great way to test academic interests, learn about campus life and study with students who share similar interests.

Massachusetts - Smith Summer Science and Engineering Program (SSEP)
Smith's Summer Science and Engineering Program has a mission: To encourage teenage girls with a bent for science to shine.

Massachusetts - MIT - Women's Technology Program
This residential summer program introduces academically talented high school girls to the MIT of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department.

Massachusetts - College Gate & College Academy
This program provides students in grades K-8th the opportunity to participate in project-based learning activities. Camps are broken up by age group.

Massachusetts - Clay Mathematics Institute PROMYS
PROMYS is a challenging program designed to encourage ambitious high school students to explore the creative world of mathematics.

Michigan - Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
Programs at Blue Lake are designed to educate through a carefully developed and balanced curriculum as well as elective courses in art, drama, dance, or music.

Michigan - MichiganTech Summer Youth Programs (Michigan)
Explorations in careers and knowledge for pre-college students cover such programs as Summer Youth Explorations, Women in Engineering, American Indian Workshop or Explorations in Engineering.

Michigan - Interlochen Arts Camp
This residential summer arts program provides students in grades three through 12 the opportunity to train with world-class instructors and work alongside over 2,000 of the world’s best and brightest students.

Michigan - Math, Science, and Technology at Michigan State University
Math, Science, and Technology (MST) at Michigan State University is a two-week residential summer program for gifted and talented middle school students. Each day the students take two two-hour classes in astronomy, physics, mathematics, computer science, chemistry, or environmental science.

Michigan - Explorations in Engineering
This program is offered to minority and underrepresented students interested in math and science.

Minnesota - Concordia Language Villages
These programs allow students to study languages from around the world.

Missouri - Science Scholar Research Institute
The Science Scholar Research Institute (SSRI) is an award winning program that provides laboratory research experiences in the sciences, engineering, computer science, social sciences, or mathematics.

Missouri - Joseph Baldwin Academy for Eminent Young Scholars
The Joseph Baldwin Academy offers highly talented students a head start on their future university careers by allowing them to spend three weeks as college freshmen.

Mississippi - University of Southern Mississippi - The Frances A. Karnes Center for Gifted Studies
The Summer Gifted Studies Program, a one-week residential activity, serves intellectually gifted students in grades four through eight. The program, celebrating its 26th year of service, is designed to enhance cognitive, affective, and psychomotor abilities of gifted students through planned enrichment/acceleration activities.

Nebraska - All Girls All Math: Summer Mathematics
The summer mathematics camp for high school girls provides a stimulating and supportive environment for girls to develop their mathematical ability and interest.

Nevada - THINK Summer Institute - Davidson Institute for Talent Development
This three-week residential summer program offers bright students an opportunity to access an extremely rigorous educational experience. Participants who complete the program will receive up to seven transferable college credits.

New Jersey - The Governor's School of New Jersey
For those who have completed their junior year, this is a highly selective summer program for artistically or academically talented high school students from New Jersey.

New York - Environmental Studies Summer Youth Institute (ESSYI)
This two-week, college-level interdisciplinary program for talented high-school students entering their junior and senior years provides exceptional opportunities to explore the scientific, social, and humanistic perspectives of environmental issues.

New York - Columbia University Precollege Summer Programs
Rigorous summer pre-college programs for students in grades nine through twelve.

New York - Hartwick College Summer Programs
Our uniquely varied and flexible program provides an enriching educational experience to students of all levels. Students can take advantage of a comprehensive program comprised of classes, private instruction, solo and group performances.

New York - Chautauqua Institution
The institution offers summer classes in art, theater, music, and dance.

New York/California/Vermont - School of Cinema and Performing Arts (SOCAPA)
Tired of sitting in the audience? Want to be up on the screen instead? Join the next generation of dramatic performers and visual storytellers at SOCAPA, the School of Cinema and Performing Arts.

North Carolina - Duke Creative Writers' Workshop
Opportunity to explore different genres, such as short fiction, poetry, journalism and playwriting. Instruction by professional writers and educators.

North Carolina - Asheville School’s Academic Summer Adventures
Asheville School's Summer Academic Adventures is a three-week camp that combines academics with the spirit of summer camp. Class work is transformed into adventure through experiential learning.

North Carolina - Camp Broadstone at Appalachian State University
This camp provides students the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities in enrichment classes and adventure programs that are intended to encourage intellectual, social, and physical growth.

North Carolina - Duke TIP Summer Programs
Duke TIP Programs offer students the opportunity to learn highly challenging material at a rate suited to their advanced abilities. Programs include Summer Studies Programs, Field Studies, and Institutes.

Ohio - CMI Ross Program
The Ross Program at the Ohio State University is an intensive course in mathematics for pre-college students.

Oregon - University of Oregon Summer Enrichment Program
The Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) is a campus-based residential program offering stimulating academic experiences designed for gifted and highly able students.

Pennsylvania - Summer Honors Program for High School Students
Robert E. Cook Honors College's Summer Honors Program is a place where talented high school students come together for two weeks and form a community of scholars who explore academic and collegiate living in a real college setting.

Pennsylvania - University of Pennsylvania School of Design, Art & Architecture: Summer at Penn - Julian Krinsky Summer Program
Explore the arts and architecture at this four-week intensive studio program for students ages 15 to 18. Art students choose major courses in animation, drawing, filmmaking, painting, photography or sculpture. In addition, they select two-week projects in ceramic wheel throwing, figure drawing, filmmaking, graphic design, photography, printmaking and book arts, or Web design. Architecture students follow a full-day studio intensive every day and do not study a minor.

Pennsylvania - University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Penn Nursing Summer Institute - Julian Krinsky Summer Program
This program offers a unique four-week intensive program for rising high school juniors and seniors that features cutting-edge research, the latest advances in virtual learning, and clinical experience in Philadelphia's top hospitals. As the only undergraduate Ivy League nursing school, Penn is recognized worldwide for setting the standard of academic excellence in this field.

Pennsylvania - University of Pennsylvania, International Leadership With Model UN - Julian Krinsky Summer Program
If you are interested in world politics, this program will increase your experience, knowledge and skills in this fascinating arena. Living and working with students from around the world, you will gain a unique perspective on international affairs and how to achieve solutions through diplomancy. This program offers exploration of International Relations, Foreign Policy, and Diplomacy in a four-weel session for students ages 15 to 18.

Pennsylvania - University of Pennsylvania, Summer Internships in Philadelphia - Julian Krinsky Summer Program
This program gives students entering grades 11 and 12 the opportunity to explore work in a chosen field while living on the University of Pennsylvania campus, during the three-, four- and seven-week sessions.

Pennsylvania - University of Pennsylvania, WHYY Film Production Academy - Julian Krinsky Summer Program
Come work with the award-winning film and video professionals at Philadelphia’s state-of-the-art public broadcasting station for a complete script-to-screen experience. During the intensive three-week program, students ages 15 to 18 will explore all facets of film production — including scriptwriting, scouting locations in historic Philadelphia, directing, and post-production for your own film.

Pennsylvania - Xploration - Julian Krinsky Middle School Summer Camp (Bryn Mawr, PA)
Julian Krinsky Xploration is an opportunity for students 10 to 13 years old to enjoy learning, sports and activities on a classically beautiful tree-lined campus. Held at Bryn Mawr College on Philadelphia’s prestigious Main Line, Xploration offers expert instruction in the arts, sciences, popular culture and dozens of fascinating subjects specially selected for the interests of middle school students.

Pennsylvania - Writers Workshop at Susquehanna University
Offers small group workshops in fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry for grades 11-12.

Tennessee - Sewanna Young Writers Conference
Students from grades 9-12 participate in small workshops in fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. Staff from the University's English department offer lectures as well.

Tennessee - Vanderbilt Program for Talented Youth
Vanderbilt University offers an intensive, enriched, three-week summer residential program for academically talented youth who are currently in grades seven through eleven.

Texas - AwesomeMath.org
3-week residential math camp called AwesomeMath. The founder and director of the camp is Dr. Titu Andreescu, who was the director of AMC for 5 years and now coaches the US IMO team (in addition to teaching at UTD).

Texas - Sea Camp
Students are able to learn in marine and estuarine environments while having access to labs and vessels available at Texas A & M.

Texas - Texas A&M Talented and Gifted Distinguished Achievement
T.A.G., a summer program for high ability students is being offered this summer at Texas A&M University at Galveston. These career-oriented courses will help students expand their horizons with a preparatory course in the field of their choice.

Vermont/New York/California - School of Cinema and Performing Arts (SOCAPA)
Tired of sitting in the audience? Want to be up on the screen instead? Join the next generation of dramatic performers and visual storytellers at SOCAPA, the School of Cinema and Performing Arts.  

Virginia - Summer Enrichment Program at the University of Virginia
This residential summer program is for gifted and talented students . It is a two-week session where the curriculum emphasis will be on extending a student's capabilities in problem-solving, creativity and critical examination, and evaluation of content-rich fields of study.

Virginia - College of William and Mary Pre-Collegiate Summer Program in Early American History
This summer program is a trip back in time for students who get to experience early America and its interactions with Africans,Colonists, and Native Americans.

Virginia - Liberty High School Debate Institute
Liberty Univeristy sponsers these workshops catering to students interested in both policy and Lincoln-Douglas style debate. The programs are open to all high school students of all experience levels.

Virginia - Young Writers Workshop
The Young Writers Workshop of the University of Virginia, established in 1982, brings together a community of writers with a common purpose: to create a supportive and noncompetitive environment where teenagers can live and work as artists.

Virginia - Research Science Institute (RSI)
Selected from the United States and other nations, these students participate in a rigorous academic program which emphasizes advanced theory and research in mathematics, the sciences, and engineering.

Washington - Satori Summer Camp
This summer camp offers junior and senior high school students an outstanding opportunity to expand and challenge both their minds and characters in a collegiate setting.

Wisconsin - Summer Science Institute
The Summer Science Institute (SSI) is a seven-week residential experience in which students gain an understanding of biological/physical research while learning about college life.

Wisconsin - Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth
There is a variety of residential as well as online summer programs offered for students who have taken and passed specific tests and are of a specific age.

Various Locations - Cybercamps
Cybercamps is a fun summer program where you can experiment and learn all about technology.

Various Locations - Emagination Computer Camps
This camp offers typical fun camp activities with a touch of technology. Students learn computer animation, web design, digital photography, lego robotics and much more.

Various Locations - Exploration Summer Programs
Exploration Summer Programs is an academic summer enrichment program where young people can expand their horizons, try something new, and learn in a pressure-free environment.

Various Locations - iD Tech Camps (Summer Computer Camp)
iD Tech Camps are summer technology camp held at 40 premiere universities including Stanford, Princeton and MIT.

Various Locations - National Computer Camps
This program offers both residential and non-residential options in curriculum consisting topics from video game design to computer languages and web page design.

Various Locations - New York Film Academy Film and Acting School - Summer Camp
These high school summer camps (Ages 14 - 17) are designed for students with little or no previous filmmaking, acting, or animation experience. They are intensive, short term courses that fully immerse students in the craft of writing, directing and casting.

Various Locations - Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG)
The institute offers many programs depending on your preference.

Various Locations - MathCamp
Canada/USA Lathcamp is an intensive 5-week-long summer program for amthematically talented high school students.

Various Locations - Telluride Association Summer Programs (TASP)
TASP is a free, six-week educational experience for high school juniors that offers challenges and rewards rarely encountered in secondary school or even college.

Permission Statement

This article is provided as a service of the Davidson Institute for Talent Development, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to supporting profoundly gifted young people under 18. To learn more about the Davidson Institute’s programs, please visit www.DavidsonGifted.org.