Summer can be a time for kids to explore new interests, pursue old ones, make new friends, or learn new skills. And, of course, it’s a time to just have some fun. Here are some ideas to help you plan a summer for your child that combines some or all of these things. It’s our annual list of 2e-friendly camps and programs.
Please note that this is not a comprehensive list, nor is it a list of camps or programs that 2e Newsletter endorses. It’s just a little help in getting you started on your search.
Aspire Summer Camp, Charlestown and Westwood, MA, July - August; two sessions one for children 5-7 and the other for 8-15
This day camp is a program of the Lurie Center for Autism at Massachusetts General Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital for Children. It offers a combination of recreational activities and therapeutic interventions. The program is aimed at helping participants learn social skills and other behavioral strategies through group participation in recreational, social, educational, community, and vocational activities. See: https://www.massgeneral.org/children/aspire/child.
Camp Summit for the Gifted, Talented, and Creative, Marin Headlands, CA, June
According to the psychologists from the Summit Center who developed this week-long residential program, its purpose is to allow gifted, talented, and creative kids from 9-14 to have fun while enjoying stimulating and challenging experiences in a beautiful environment. Activities include self-exploration workshops, creative and expressive arts, outdoor ecology studies, strategy games, simulations, and hands-on design projects along with more typical camp activities. A new leadership program is available for 15 to 16-year-olds. While not exclusively designed for twice-exceptional children, they are welcome. (Parents are encouraged to raise 2e issues in advance to ensure that the camp is a good fit for their child.) See: http://www.campsummitforthegifted.com.
The Quad Summer Camp, New York City, July – August
This summer day camp is conducted by the Quad, an educational and recreational center for twiceexceptional children in Manhattan. It accepts children from 4-12 years of age and places them in groups of no more than 8 for the youngest and 10 for the rest. Groups are led by one core teacher (either a special educator or future psychologist) plus two trained interns. The focus is on developing talents, pursuing interests, and working on skill building. Camp takes place at the new Spruce Street School in Beekman Tower in Lower Manhattan. See: https://www.thequadmanhattan.com/summer.
Satori, Cheney, WA (on the main campus of Eastern Washington University), July
This week-long residential program is for academically and intellectually talented students 12 to 18 years of age. A day-camp option is also available. The stated goal of the camp is to offer campers a taste of college with others who share their enthusiasm for learning in an academic and social environment. See: http://www.satoricamp.org.
SOAR (Success Oriented Achievement Realized) North Carolina Twice-Exceptional Adventure, July
This outdoor adventure program is designed to meet the needs of gifted students from 12 to 15 who also have LDs. Students have the opportunity to go backpacking, rock climbing, and caving. Incorporated into the program is an experiential/environmental project based on the interests of the students. See: https://soarnc.org/soar-course/nc-twice-exceptional-adventure/.
Summer Fantasy Writing and Gaming Camp, Boulder, CO, June at Watershed School; July - August at Mackintosh Academy
Now in its 16th year, this summer day camp is a creative writing, art, and role-playing game program for students ages 7-15. Throughout the week, participants work on fantasy-world-building techniques, take part in the Druidawn publishing project, and do arts and crafts. In addition, they learn how to solve problems and work together as a team as they quest in an imaginary fantasy setting with safety swords and play-acting. See: http://www.creative-writing-solutions.com/Fantasy-Camp.html.
Summer on the Brain, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, various dates in June - July
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. See: https://www2.education.uiowa.edu/belinblank/students/default.aspx?o=0&s=class-&g=.
Yunasa, in Sedalia, Colorado, June; in Fenton, Michigan, July
This week-long residential camp brings together highly gifted young people between the ages of 10 and 14 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. See: https://educationaladvancement.org/programs/yunasa/, and note the early application date.
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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.
The appearance of any information in the Davidson Institute's Database does not imply an endorsement by, or any affiliation with, the Davidson Institute. All information presented is for informational purposes only and is solely the opinion of and the responsibility of the author. Although reasonable effort is made to present accurate information, the Davidson Institute makes no guarantees of any kind, including as to accuracy or completeness. Use of such information is at the sole risk of the reader.