Skip to main content

REACH Frequently Asked Questions

Application

How do I apply?

Complete the online application through CampInTouch portal. Students will be asked to respond to a few short essay questions and parents will be asked to respond to some background information as well. For full application details, visit the admissions page. 

How does the application process work?

The REACH Summer Seminar application will open January 8, 2024 and closes March 29, 2024. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and course placement is first-come, first-served, so we recommend applying early. Submit a separate application for each child interested in attending.

The review committee evaluates applications on an individual basis to determine if an applicant is qualified. Decision notifications will be sent via email within two weeks of the application submission. For full details regarding the application process, please see the admissions page.

Who is eligible to apply?

REACH applicants must be

My child's age makes them eligible to apply to two different programs (i.e. STARS and REACH or REACH and THINK). Which program should they apply to?

This depends very much on the individual and what type of experience they are interested in and ready for. We are happy to talk with you to explain the differences of the programs and to help determine the most appropriate fit for your child.

Can a Young Scholar attend more than one Davidson summer program per year (i.e. STARS and REACH or REACH and THINK)?

The programs overlap slightly in age range, so families can decide which program best meets their student's needs. If a Young Scholar is interested in attending more than one Davidson summer program in one year, we will take those requests into consideration on a case by case basis, factoring in goodness of fit and space availability.

Typically, we have more students interested in attending each program than we have spots available. Our goal is to have students choose the program that best suits them in the hopes that we can offer a summer program experience to as many students as possible.

Is there a waitlist available?

Students are placed in seminar courses on a first-come, first-served basis. The sooner you complete and submit your application, the better your chances of getting in your preferred seminar course. You will be placed in your second or third choice seminar course (depending on availability) if your first preference course is full. We can place you on a waitlist for your first-choice course in case a space becomes available throughout the application and final enrollment processes. You will be notified before any changes are made to your course placement. Keep in mind that regardless of class selection and placement, all payment deadlines apply to reserve your place at REACH. In the event that all program spaces in all seminar courses are full, they will be placed on a waitlist for the program. If a space becomes available, we will contact the next person on the waitlist immediately.

Should my child apply if they have a medical condition requiring specific care? What about mental health? 

If your child has a medical or mental health concern, please contact us before applying to discuss program eligibility and specific support we may be able to offer. We want to be as prepared as possible to welcome students and make their stay with us safe, comfortable and of course, fun! We find that the more honest and detailed you can be with our staff ahead of time, the better the student’s time at camp will be. We want to work with you to the best of our ability to ensure your child is set up for success and appropriate support while in our care. 

Costs and Financial Assistance

What are the program fees to attend Davidson REACH Summer Seminar?

Tuition and fees cover room and board, program and course materials, laundry fees, and the cost of all planned activities. Transportation to and from the program is not covered nor provided by Davidson.

Another opportunity or circumstance came up and I can't attend REACH anymore. Can I get a refund?

All REACH fees and tuition are nonrefundable. However, we understand that students may not be able to attend due to unanticipated hardships. A partial refund may be awarded to students who cannot attend due to extenuating circumstances. These include:

• Severe unexpected medical condition
• Death in the immediate/nuclear family

• Severe unexpected financial hardship

The decision to grant a partial refund is under the discretion of the Davidson Institute and refunds issued will be less than any expenses already incurred in the application and preparation process. A refund request may be requested in writing along with any supporting documentation, if needed. 

If financial assistance available for those who demonstrate need?

The Davidson Institute provides financial assistance (FA) to families who demonstrate financial need for REACH. FA may be available to help defer a portion of program fees and/or transportation expenses. Please keep in mind that the Davidson Institute has seen an increase in the number of families applying and qualifying for FA; therefore, we must prioritize the distribution of funds we have available to assist families. FA awards never cover 100% of any expense. See more details on the Tuition and Fees page.

Academics

Where will the academic seminars take place?

Seminars will take place on the University of Nevada, Reno campus either in the Davidson Academy building or a nearby campus building, which are usually in close-proximity to the program's on-campus housing accommodations.

Will participants receive grades or credit?

No credit or grades are given at REACH. The seminars courses serve as a chance for students to explore a new subject in-depth with like-minded peers. Students will be provided with a short evaluation of the their work, which may include accomplishments and areas of growth. This evaluation and a letter of participation will be emailed to your family in August.

Student Life

Where will participants reside?

Each student will be paired with one or two roommates of the same gender identification and housed in a residential dormitory on the campus of University of Nevada, Reno. A small group of students will be paired with one Program Assistant to create a close-knit community and provide 24-hour supervision.

Are special dietary meals provided?

Yes! The university dining facility is experienced at accommodating special dietary needs. We work closely with the university dining staff to create a food allergy action plan to determine what accommodations can be made for specific student needs.

Each year, children who have food allergies or special diets successfully attend Davidson programs; however, we cannot guarantee an allergy-free environment given that the program takes place in many shared spaces and in an uncontrolled environment. We welcome you to contact us to discuss specific concerns and determine if REACH is a good fit based on the participant's level of comfort and needs.

What kind of activities take place?

Social activities hosted in the evenings may include movies, games, arts and crafts, themed events, etc. On campus and off-site field trips will engage students in learning and fun, including one excursion away from campus to explore the Reno/Tahoe area.

When will I find out who my roommate is? Can I make a roommate request?

Students will learn who their roommate is on arrival day. They will have the chance to fill out a dorm life survey before the program to help our team match students most appropriately. There is also a roommate request form to complete should students have a specific person they'd like to room with. We will do our best to accommodate roommate requests, but cannot guarantee placement.

Are laundry services available?

Yes. There are laundry machines available in the dormitory. We provide laundry detergent and the funds needed to access the machines.

Are medical services available?

All program staff are CPR and First Aid certified. Emergencies will be directed to either St. Mary's Regional Medical Center or Renown Health. We also have a program nurse that checks in with students and staff on a daily basis.

Will there be a chance to exercise during the program?

Students can work with their program assistant to organize running groups, sporting events at or around the historic campus quad, and more! Time for outdoor and indoor exercise can be scheduled throughout the program. There will not be university gym access available for REACH students.

Can I bring my musical instrument?

No. As a university policy, musical instruments are not permitted in the dorms.

General

Why did you create REACH as an additional summer program for Young Scholars?

We received consistent feedback from families the need for a program that bridges the gap between STARS and THINK. REACH will offer a longer, more academically challenging program than STARS, but less rigorous than THINK. REACH will be available to Young Scholars ages, 11 to 13.

Will family members be able to visit participants during the program?

REACH is intended to offer students a project-based residential summer experience. Each participant is a vital part of an academic learning team and social community. As such, visits from family can increase homesickness and significantly reduce the quality of the experience for all participants. We understand not all students may be ready for a sleep-away experience that includes a challenging project, and thus we encourage those families to hold off on applying until they are prepared to be away from one another for the duration of the program.

What is your policy on electronic devices?

In recent years, the widespread use of electronic devices and other technology has raised important safety and confidentiality issues. Since the functions provided by electronic devices, specifically cell phones, are not relevant to the program, REACH is an electronic device free program. Participants may not have or use cell phones, smart phones, air tags, or other devices capable of voice and/or text communication during the program. The only exception to this policy is a camera and/or music playing device without voice, text or internet capabilities.

If a participant must bring such a device in order to communicate with his or her parent(s) during travel to and from the program, the device will be turned off upon arrival and stored in a secure area only accessible by program staff. Parents will be provided contact information to connect with program staff should an emergency arise in which staff will facilitate communication between parents and participants.

Will there by a day-camper (nonresidential) option?

We can only accommodate students for the residential option, as we are not in a position to have students attend during the day and then leave for the evenings to stay off campus. We understand not all students will be ready for a one-week residential program, and we hope to accommodate these students in later years when they are ready to attend a residential summer experience.

Is participation in REACH tax-deductible?

No, the Davidson Institute is not an eligible educational institution by IRS definition and cannot issue a 1098-T. However, keep in mind that the Davidson Institute cannot and does not issue tax advice; please contact your tax advisor for further consultation.