Thinking about summer already? Before you begin the search for your kid’s summer camp you may want to read “Time to Start Thinking About Summer!” http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/think_summer.htm by Sue Lein, who is not only a parent of gifted children but also the camp director of a coed, residential camp geared toward gifted and talented kids. She offers things to consider and questions to ask while searching for the perfect camp or summer class. The article will empower you to ask the questions you might feel you need to and help you feel confident you’ve made the right choice.
A couple helpful tips:
- Include your kiddo in the process, their “buy in” is essential, ensuring you both get the most benefit out of the program you select.
- There are many quality summer programs with excellent instruction and facilities, so narrow down your options to a few and then explore as much as you can about each one.
We’ve researched some of the top camps in Colorado and here’s what we found:
Engineering and Design Summer Camp at Colorado School of Mines
Engineering Design Camp encourages a team approach to solving engineering problems. Students explore engineering by building a device to meet a performance specification. For example, a water rocket that delivers a payload. Discover STEM Camp offers a similar experience for younger students. Sessions are divided by gender. A camp is also available for young children grades 3 – 5.
Center for Bright Kids holds two residential camps at Colorado School of Mines. GLOW for grades 6 – 8 offers the experience of living on a college campus, with supervision, while taking enrichment courses. Students choose from courses such as Scratch Video Game Design and “Fast Food, Trash, and Disease: Epidemiology of Public Health”. The Luminary Project is a three-week program with a choice of courses including: Astrophysics, Music Theory and Organic Chemistry. There is also a program for grades 4-6.
The OreDiggers lead week-long camps in a variety of sports, many with a residential option. In addition, there are one-day prospect camps in baseball and football, coed “Little Digger” day camps for young novices, one-day skills camps and team camps. Visit their website at: http://www.mysummeradvisor.com/MSA/app/school/summer-programs-and-camps/colorado-school-of-mines/130
Summer Enrichment Program (SEP)
These university programs are designed primarily for students entering grades 5-10. Students enroll in four classes for 10 days to explore their interests. Students select activities ranging from research to arts and crafts. Saturday sessions led by experts from the university provide additional opportunities for learning. The cost includes two weeks housing, food, tuition and staff fees. Two two-week sessions are offered each summer.
Companion program for younger students: The Young Child Program serves children who are age 4 through those entering 4th grade. Addressing the early educational and social needs of children who are gifted, talented and/or creative, children and parents select high-interest courses that meet during four 40-minute periods each day.
Visit their website at: www.unco.edu/cebs/sep
University of Colorado Science Discovery
Science Discovery offers a wide variety of classes for ages 4-16. Math, science and technology are taught with hands-on activities that are fun and informative. Their enthusiastic, knowledgeable and experienced teachers utilize university and community resources to produce a stimulating environment, both indoors and out, and a variety of field experiences. New classes are offered each summer.
Visit their website at: http://www.colorado.edu/sciencediscovery/classesSummer/index.html
CU Science Discovery Wilderness Camps
The University of Colorado Science Discovery also offers five- to 14-day, overnight wilderness camps guide students in adventure activities, the exploration of Colorado’s ecosystems and natural history during exciting wilderness experiences. The camps foster awareness and sensitivity to the earth and its rich resources in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Personal and group challenges enhance self-confidence and create connections among students. Wilderness living skills and time for reflection enhance a sense of place and purpose within the natural world. Grades: 3 – 11.
Visit their website at: www.colorado.edu/ScienceDiscovery
Space Voyage Summer Camp
Located in Lakewood Colorado, Space Voyage programs bring to life the importance of math and science, reinforces concepts identified in academic content standards, build confidence through genuine achievement and offer a fun place for kids to imagine the possibilities, learn and grow.
Visit their website at: http://www.spacevoyage.com
Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
Offers kid’s classes and summer camps. The summer camps are for children to 19 years of age. These inspiring and creative camps offer experiences in a variety of subjects including drama, visual arts, music and dance. The programs are designed to educate and entertain. The Arvada Center’s Reaching for the Arts Scholarship Program offers scholarships ranging from partial to full tuition to students who demonstrate artistic talent, dedication and financial need.
Visit their website at: http://arvadacenter.org/education/classes
Wild Bear Center for Nature Discovery
The Wild Bear Center for Nature Discovery offers year-round hands-on educational programs to people of all ages to foster a life-long appreciation of the environment and to promote an environmentally aware, responsible and ecologically sound community. Summer programs, school year programs, and outreach programs are available. Wild Bear’s Mountain Summer Program provides a full day of fun in the mountains for 5-12 year olds! Operating from 8 am-3:30 pm, this program is based at the Nederland Elementary School in Nederland, CO.
Visit their website at: http://wildbear.org/
Lighthouse Writers Workshop
Lighthouse Writers Workshop supports creative discovery and renewal by providing the writing workshops and writer services to young authors of all abilities. Talks, events, summer camps, and youth workshops strive to develop the writer in everyone. Ages: 9 and up.
Visit their website at: https://lighthousewriters.org/workshop/grid/genre/0/level/0/format/0/session/102/
PG Retreats
PG Retreat is a community of families with profoundly gifted children and teens.
Although every child is unique and beautiful in his or her own way, profoundly gifted children often have a difficult time finding true peers within their day-to-day communities. PG Retreat helps to form connections and friendships, and to share resources and experience. PGR brings children and teenagers together for shared connections and community.
Visit their website at: https://pgretreat.org/
Happy Camping,
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