2e-Friendly Summer Camp Listing

Updated October 2024
When summer rolls around, finding enriching and engaging activities for gifted and twice-exceptional students can be a challenge. Traditional camps and programs may not always cater to their unique needs, leaving them feeling under-stimulated or out of place. Luckily, there are numerous summer programs designed specifically to foster creativity, intellectual growth, and social connections among gifted learners. Let’s dive into some of the top options – both day camps and residential!

Please note that this is not a comprehensive list, nor is it a list of camps or programs that the Davidson Institute endorses.

Day Camps

Aspire Adventure Summer Camp

• Ages: 5-13
• Diagnoses served: ASD (Asperger’s profiles and high functioning), ADHD, PDD-NOS, and non- verbal disabilities
• Westwood, MA
• Day
• Cost: Application fee: $75 (waived for returning participants) + $6,495
• Topic/Theme: Adventure
• Aspire’s Summer Adventure Camp is a six-week program for children. Campers are placed into similar-age peer groups of four to six participants, each supported by two Aspire Campers participate in a rich weekly schedule full of typical activities, such as swimming, music, fishing, boating and art. Like all of Aspire’s programming, participants receive direct instruction and in- the-moment social coaching to support skill building in the areas of self-awareness, stress management, and social competency. Aspire staff create a safe and supportive environment in which campers can learn, grow, make social connections, express themselves, feel successful and have fun.

Summer Explorations Program

• Ages: 14-19
• Diagnoses served: ASD, Asperger’s or similar social profiles
• Westwood, MA
• Day
• Cost: Application fee: $75 (waived for returning participants) + $6,495
• Topic/Theme: Practical Life Skills
• Explorations is a six-week summer program where teens participate in supported recreational and social activities while learning a variety of practical life skills out in the community. Topics include money management, trip planning, using public transportation, peer negotiation and time management. Teens are placed into small cohorts of 5-6 participants. Throughout the summer, participants will have the opportunity to engage with other cohorts and participants within the Participants are encouraged to balance their needs with those of the group.

Summer Transitions Program

• Ages: 16-22
• Diagnoses served: ASD, Asperger’s or similar social profiles
• Westwood, MA
• Day
• Cost: Application fee: $75 (waived for returning participants) + $6,495
• Topic/Theme: Job Coaching and Career Exploration
• Transitions is a weekday summer program where young adults participate in group activities and practice skills that help with the transition to work and college environments. Participants are placed at a volunteer work site two days per week where they receive job coaching and career skill training. Participants are placed at the volunteer work sites in groups of three participants with one Aspire transition specialist on site. On other days of the week, the participants engage in college exploration, recreational activities, and team-building activities with a larger group of

The Quad Summer Camp

• Ages: 5-12
• Diagnoses served: 2E
• Manhattan, NY
• Day
• Cost: Annual Registration Fee: $115/child or $200/2+ child family + $12,775 tuition fee
• Topic/Theme: 2E Development
• Since 2009, the six-week summer program at The Quad Manhattan is the perfect home for twice-exceptional children year after year! The blend of psychosocial/emotional and executive functioning skill training and support coupled with fun and active camp traditions in talent development and spirit, campers engage in a full day of programming that is sure to develop lasting impressions, friendships, and skills.

Satori Junior

• Ages: 8-11
• Diagnoses served: Not specified
• Cheney, WA
• Day
• Cost: $295
• Topic/Theme: Inquiring Minds
• Eastern Washington University is proud to welcome back Satori Junior Day camp for youngsters ages 8 through 11. This camp is designed for students who have inquiring minds and love to learn. Satori Junior has been a successful part of EWU summer offerings for more than 30 years and has challenged its participants with a wide variety of topics and activities.

Aspiring Youth: Summer Camps

• Ages: 8+
• Seattle, Redmond, or Bellevue, WA (Online options available)
• Day
• Cost: starts at $650
• Topic/Theme: Arts, Theatre, Active, Gaming, STEAM
• Aspiring youth provides innovative social skills groups, summer camps, tutoring, and other services for students ages 8 and Some of their students are shy, some are quirky and some are twice exceptional. Many have a diagnosis of Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, ADHD, learning disabilities or other similar traits. By creating trust, connection and an engaging community, they help their students as they navigate the social world.

Child Mind Institute Summer Program

• Ages: 5-10
• Diagnoses served: ADHD; behavioral, learning, and social issues
• New York, NY
• Day
• Cost: $9,000
• Topic/Theme: Skills Development
• The Child Mind Institute Summer Program is a four-week summer treatment program for children ages 5 through 10 who have ADHD or who need help with behavioral, learning, and social Children participating in the program will benefit from a high level of support and expertise from their counselors as they work on goals including: developing and maintaining positive peer relationships, improving emotional awareness and regulation, and maintaining academic progress.

Summer Wonders

• Grades: 1-5
• Diagnoses served: Not specified
• Austin, TX
• Day
• Cost: $360 for 5 half days
• Topic/Theme: Interactive Learning
• Summer Wonders is a half-day program for students entering grades 1-5. Unleash your inner artist in our painting and art sessions, where vibrant colors and boundless imagination come together to create Delve into the depths of geography and culture as we embark on exciting journeys around the globe, discovering the rich tapestry of our world. And for those who love a good challenge, our games sessions offers a plethora of activities to engage both mind and body, fostering teamwork and competition in equal measure. Join us for an unforgettable adventure where learning and laughter intertwine!

Summer Sessions at The Gilman School – John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth

• Grades: 2-6
• Diagnoses served: Not specified
• Baltimore, Maryland
• Day
• Cost: $3,099
• Topic/Theme: Multiple courses offered that span the subject matters of STEAM
• Founded in 1897, Gilman School is a pre-K through 12^th grade independent school for boys. Gilman’s 57-acre campus, located in the Roland Park neighborhood of Baltimore, is reminiscent of a small liberal arts college with academic buildings, an auditorium, a science building, and indoor and outdoor athletic facilities. About 170 students and 35 staff are expected to attend. Classes meet between 9am and 4pm Monday through Friday. Before and after-program care is available at an additional cost. Students should expect to do between 30 and 60 minutes of homework each weeknight.

IEA Academy

• Grades: K-8
• Diagnoses served: Not specified
• Pasadena, CA and Online
• Day
• Cost: 90 Minute In-Person – $450 for 15 hours of instruction, 60 Minute Online – $275 for 10 hours of instruction
• Topic/Theme: Summer Enrichment
• IEA Academy provides students in Kindergarten through 8^th grade with advanced enrichment classes that promote exploration and application of Classes are taught by content- area specialists and taught at a flexible pace to accommodate the learning needs of gifted and 2e students.

Summer Session at The Speyer Legacy School – Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth

• Grades: K-8
• Diagnoses served: Not specified
• New York, NY
• Day
• Cost: $3,599 + Additional Fees
• Topic/Theme: Multiple courses offered that span the subject matters of STEAM
• Speyer School is a K-8 independent school located near Columbus Circle at West 59^th Street and Ninth Avenue. Founded in 209, it is a co-educational school serving more than 300 accelerated learners. Facilities include a library, science labs, maker’s lab, air-conditioned About 150 students and 30 staff are expected to attend. Classes meet between 9am and 4pm. Monday through Friday.

Exceeds Expectations Learning

• Ages: 7+
• Diagnoses served: Not specified
• Day
• Cost: Varies by service/course selected
• Topic/Theme: Summer Enrichment
• Exceeds Expectations Learning offers tutoring and mentoring services for students ages 7 and up, online worldwide via Skype or Zoom and in person in the Seattle area. They cover subjects across the board, and specialize in working with gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) students, tailoring their approach to each student. Whether it’s homework help or unschooling subject support, in elementary school or halfway through college, they will work with you to ensure you and your student are getting what you need.

Camp Innovate

• Grades: 3-5
• Diagnoses served: Not specified
• Bowling Green, KY
• Day
• Cost: $350
• Topic/Theme: Interdisciplinary Innovation
• Camp Innovate is a one-week day camp designed for students with advanced ability and high interest who were in grades 3-5 during the previous school year. Registration is limited to 50 children. Make sure to join our Monthly Update email list to keep up with all future happenings at The Center.

Camp Explore

• Grades: 1-3
• Diagnoses served: Not specified
• Bowling Green, KY
• Day
• Cost: $350
• Topic/Theme: Exploration, Hands-on learning
• The Center for Gifted Studies’ Camp Explore is a one-week day camp designed for students with advanced ability and high interest who were in grades one, two or three during the previous school year. The experience features minds-on, hands-on instruction to engage children in learning at advanced levels. Throughout the week, teaches experienced in gifted education guide the students in learning that is differentiated for their particular needs and advanced

Talent Development Institute Summer Camp

• Grades: 4-9
• Diagnoses served: Not specified
• Johnson, VT
• Residential with Commuter options available
• Cost: $ 1,225-$1,310
• Topic/Theme: Summer Camp meets Academic Institute
• TDI summer Camp is a pair of week-long programs where campers will find enriching educational opportunities, exciting and engaging activities, an inclusive community of peers, and so much more. They will find new passions, develop leaning and social skills, create life-long friendships, and have a lot of fun along the way!

Super Summer Program

• Grades: K-4
• Diagnoses served: Not specified
• West Lafayette, IN
• Day
• Cost: $350-$650
• Topic/Theme: Interdisciplinary Summer Enrichment
• Super Summer is a program where bright kids in kindergarten through fourth grade come to enjoy challenging courses with other academically, creatively, and artistically talented youth. Day-long, interdisciplinary courses are geared at least two grade levels above each’s student’s current school Students will attend a full-day program of challenging, hands-on activities related to the central theme. Components from all disciplines will be included at every level, so each child will gain experience in engineering, math, science, and social studies, art, and language arts, while working on open ended activities that require critical and creative thinking

Winston Prep Summer Programs

• Grades: 4-12
• Diagnoses served: ADHD, Learning Differences
• NYC; Long Island, NY; NJ; CT; Online
• Day
• Cost: $400-$6,000
• Topic/Theme: Academic Enrichment
• The Summer Program also gives parents the flexibility to create an academic program specifically matched to the needs of their child. The program develops decoding and encoding, reading comprehension, critical-thinking skills, memory retrieval, executive functioning skills, written language expression, self-advocacy, mathematical computation, social pragmatics, time- management skills, test preparation, and expressive language skills within a nurturing, academic environment. The summer staff consists of reading specialists, special education instructors, and speech and language pathologists from Winston’s full-time faculty.

Forman Summer Program

• Grades: 7-11
• Diagnoses served: Learning differences
• Litchfield, CT
• Day with residential options available
• Cost: $8,250-$10,100
• Topic/Theme: Academics and Recreation
• Forman’s Summer Program is in session from July 1-July . The program is a dynamic balance of academics and recreation for students entering grades 7-11 who learn differently.

Brehm’s Summer Program

• Ages: 8-18
• Diagnoses served: LD, ADHD
• Carbondale, IL
• Day with Residential options available
• Cost: $5,163-$8,600
• Topic/Theme: Enrichment
• Brehm Summer Program is a holistic co-ed overnight and day program for students ages 8-18. This immersive experience allows students to break out of their usual routines, and engage in fun learning experiences that capture their imaginations.

Residential Camps

Camp Summit for the Gifted, Talented, and Creative

• Ages: 9-14
• Diagnoses served: Not specified
• Marin Headlands, CA or Northeast, MD
• Residential
• Cost: $879-$1,595
• Topic/Theme: Gifted, Talented, Creative
• Camp Summit for the gifted, talented, creative is a multi-night sleepover summer camp designed especially for gifted students ages 9 through 14. Created especially for developing the “inner and out nature” of gifted youth, Camp Summit offers stimulating and challenging activities combined with a staff uniquely qualified to nurture such a community located in beautiful, picturesque settings.

Satori Camp

• Ages: 12-28
• Diagnoses served: Not specified
• Cheney, WA
• Residential with Commuter options
• Cost: $975-$1,075
• Topic/Theme: Inquiring Minds
• Satori Camp allows students aged 12-28 to choose three mini courses from a variety of offerings. Participants are introduced to a wide range of academic and special interest courses designed to develop a well-rounded Each course is held for approximately two hours a day over the six days of camp. This continuity allows for in-depth exploration of subject material, active inquiry and discussion, and hands-on participation students.

Landmark College Summer Programs

• Grades: 11-12
• Diagnoses served: Learning Differences, ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, ASD, Executive Function Challenges
• Putney, VT
• Residential
• Cost: $5,990-$7,390 plus $25 application fee and $150 refundable damage deposit
• Topic/Theme: Enrichment & Development
• The first college for students with learning and attention challenges offer on-campus and online summer programs that help strengthen academic and executive function skills for rising high school juniors and seniors, recent high school graduates and current college students.

SOAR (Success Oriented Achievement Realized) Twice Exceptional Adventure

• Ages: 8-25
• Diagnoses served: ADHD, LD, 2E
• Balsam, NC, Dubois, WY
• Residential
• Cost: $4,550-$5,700
• Topic/Theme: Summer Adventure
• We are SOAR, a seasonal accredited educational academy, GAP year program, study abroad program, and ADHD summer camp designed especially for youth and adolescence with ADHD and/or Learning Disabilities.

Summer Program Eagle Hill School

• Ages: 10-16
• Diagnoses served: ADHD, Learning Differences
• Hardwick, MA
• Residential with Day option available
• Cost: $10,875-$11,875
• Topic/Theme: Enrichment & Development
• Eagle Hill summer session provides academic enrichment and skill development in an atmosphere that inspires students to reach beyond their comfort zone, to explore new activities, and to discover new Dynamic electives and a wide range of sports activities are combined with targeted academic courses that address the needs of the whole person in a warm, friendly, camp-like atmosphere. This success-oriented environment gives bright, motivated students the opportunity to flourish.

Camp Sequoia

• Ages: 7-18
• Diagnoses served: ADHD & Twice-Exceptionality
• Pennsburg & New Hope, PA
• Residential
• Cost: $9,025-14,975
• Topic/Theme:
• Join our research-based single gender resident camps for ages 7-18, serving ADHD & twice- exceptional Professionals help campers increase Frustration Tolerance and become their best selves through a FUN, active, nurturing camp experience with premier facilities. Michelle Winner’s Social Thinking framework helps grow aptitudes.

Belin Blank Center Summer Programs

• Grades: K-12
• Diagnoses served: Not specified
• Iowa City, IA
• Residential with Day options
• Cost: Varies by program
• Topic/Theme: Summer Enrichment
• The University of Iowa’s Belin-Blank Center offers various summer residential and day programs aimed at three age levels: grades 2-6, grades 6-8, and grades 9-11. A limited number of scholarships are available for twice-exceptional students to attend these summer programs.

Yunasa and Yunasa West

• Ages: 10-15
• Diagnoses served: PG and 2E
• Deckers, CO and Howell, MI
• Residential
• Cost: $1,750 plus Financial aid is available on a need basis
• Topic/Theme: Summer Camp
• This week-long residential camp brings together highly gifted young people between the ages of 10 and 15 and experts in the social and emotional development of highly able people. While enjoying the traditional activities of a sleep-away camp, participants also have the opportunity to explore the intellectual, spiritual, emotional, social, and physical aspects of their lives.

Frances A. Karnes Center for Gifted Studies

• Grades: PK-12
• Diagnoses served: Not specified
• Hattiesburg, MS
• Residential with Day options available
• Cost: $260-$2,600
• Topic/Theme: Summer Enrichment, Leadership
• The Frances A. Karnes Center for Gifted Studies at the University of Southern Mississippi was established in 1979 to further education of gifted students and those with leadership abilities through teaching, research, and services. The Center offers classes, camps, and instructional programs for intellectually gifted students in grades PK-12, as well as conferences, teacher education, and other services for those interested in gifted: teachers, parents, administrators, psychologists, counselors, and other concerned citizens.

Wesleyan Summer Gifted Program

• Grades: 5-12
• Diagnoses Served: Not specified
• Middletown, CT
• Residential with Day options available
• Cost: $1,500 with Day rates and sibling discounts available
• Topic/Theme: Creativity and Gifted Development
• Since the first camp in 1983, the Wesleyan Summer Gifted Program has been committed to fostering the development of gifted adolescents in the quantitative, verbal, and social The teachers are all college professors who possess a special interest in gifted education. Our program offers the same educational opportunity for the gifted as similar summer programs throughout the United States, but at a fraction of the cost. Classes are challenging, yet fun. Creativity is emphasized and channeled both directly and indirectly. Many campers return year after year.

MathPath

• Ages: 11-14
• Diagnoses served: Not specified
• South Hadley, MA
• Residential
• Cost: $5,950
• Topic/Theme: Mathematics
• MathPath is a four-week summer program for middle school students showing high interest in mathematics. The experience will extend their knowledge and skills in mathematics and immerse them in a mathematical culture of like-minded peers and faculty/staff.

See also:

• Davidson Institute’s Summer Camps & Programs for Gifted Students: Resource Guide
• Davidson Institute’s Guides to Twice Exceptional Students
• Twice-Exceptionality: A Resource Guide for Parents guidebook (PDF)
• ADDitude magazine’s annual guide to camps & schools for children with learning differences
• Hoagie’s Gifted listing of summer camps and other programs for gifted children
• Learning Disabilities Association of America’s summer activities for children with learning disabilities
• Tips for Choosing a Summer Camp for Your LD Child (LD Online)
• VeryWellMind’s Summer Camps for Kids with AD/HD

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 18 and under. To learn more about the Davidson Institute’s programs, please visit www.DavidsonGifted.org.