Summer Opportunities for Gifted Learners

COLORADO SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIFTED CHILDREN The following is a list of summer programs that might be of interest for gifted children (or more to the point, parents of gifted children who are trying to plan positive experiences for them in the upcoming summer). We aren’t endorsing any of the programs. The list comes from personal experiences, chats with other parents, gifted sites and other gifted resources, and general web searches. (If you know of or find a program that is not listed and might be beneficial to other parents and children, please forward the information to me at Rae_Harris@dpsk12.org for inclusion. The following are for a variety of ages, locations, day and overnight camps, of tech, science, arts and diverse persuasions, since gifted kids come in all flavors. We hope that by sifting through you might find something that suits your kid and leads to an enriching summer experience. Before you start your search, you might want to read "Time to Start Thinking About Summer!" http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/think_summer.htm by Sue Lein, who is owner/director of a coed, residential camp geared toward gifted and talented kids. She has some great suggestions regarding things to consider and questions to ask. Some are geared toward residential camps but others are not. The article will get your thoughts moving and empower you to ask the questions you might feel you need to. And now for the list. Good luck in your quest! Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) www.unco.edu/cebs/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. University of Northern Colorado (UNC), Campus Box 141 501 20th St. Greeley, CO 80639, 970-351-2683 Companion program for younger students: Young Child Program 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. Camp Invention https://register.campinvention.org/eforumnihf/webpages/MainPage.aspx Camp Invention is a nationally recognized summer day camp that integrates science, math, history, and the arts. This one-week program fosters creativity, teamwork, inventive thinking skills, and science literacy. Camp Invention enables children to learn through fun, hands-on experiences, subject immersion, and discovery. The enrichment program consists of five activity-oriented thematic modules designed to enhance the students' overall learning and understanding. The program is designed to be age appropriate for rising second through sixth grade children. Several camps are offered around the metro area on different dates. National phone: (800) 968-4332 Bits, Bytes, and Bots Summer Camps www.bitsbytesbots.com Offers morning and afternoon weeklong half-day programs June through August in robotics and programming, movie making, game creation, and 3D game creation. Kids can learn skills that help them in school and beyond. Each child is provided with his or her own computer to work on during class. Students receive both individual and group instruction. Register online. Phone: 303-494-2687 Ages: 6 to 14 Email: info@bitsbytesbots.com Hands-On History http://www.clearcreekhistorypark.org/summercamp.php Young pioneers can spend an engaging and educational week learning hands-on about life in the 1800s. Kids can make butter, play 1800s-style baseball and games, make pioneer food using a wood stove, make cornhusk dolls and other crafts, mine for gold, and feed the chickens. The outdoor program meets Monday through Friday. Scholarships may be available. Sessions are Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–3 pm, June-August. Pre-registration is required and session enrollment is limited, so please register early. 1020 11th Street, Golden, CO 80401 Phone: 303-278-3557 Fax: 303-278-8916 Ages: 6 to 10 Cost: $135-$165 Email: info@clearcreekhistorypark.org Children’s Technology Workshop, "iCamp" www.ctworkshop.com CTWorkshop icamp™ provides children in grades 2–8 with the chance to author their own day camp experience. Children complete applied-technology adventures that are customized to their skill level. Activities occur both on and off the computer with a focus on engineering and robotics, video game creation, animation, and graphic design. During the first activity at camp children select 3-6 projects that they will complete during their session from 10 theme-based adventures. Our highly trained adventure guides help children to select programs that suit their age, area of interest and skill level to maximize the fun and the thrill of success. Center for Bright Kids Regional Talent Center http://www.centerforbrightkids.org/programs/summer-programs/index.html Since 1982, the Center for Bright Kids Regional Talent Center has offered summer programs for high-interest, high-ability students. Rooted in the talent development model, CBK summer programs offer students the opportunity to study with bright, motivated peers, enhance their preparation for advanced coursework, and establish long-lasting friendships with students from across the country and around the world. Students with exceptional ability entering grades 4-11 are offered a varied selection of enrichment and/or acceleration courses on campus. Together with outstanding instructors, we create courses in which students discover the optimal match between academic ability and pace of instruction. Residential staff are college students who offer energetic support and insight on the many issues our bright students face. Overall, challenging academics and supervised extracurricular activities enable students to gain academic and social confidence during these intense summer programs. Join us this summer at the CBK for the next step on a journey of lifelong learning! DU Engineering Junior Camp Program www.du.edu/secs/moe/program.html Gain insight about fundamentals of computers and electrical and mechanical engineering through design and building of extreme sports. University of Denver: School of Engineering and Computer Science 2050 E. Iliff Ave. Boettcher Center East, Rm 227 Denver, CO 80208 Phone 303.871.3787 Fax 303.871.2716 Foothills Arts Center http://www.foothillsartcenter.org/classes/youthprograms.php Foothills Art Center is a nonprofit arts center offering opportunities for both local and national artists. The center is housed in two National Historic Register buildings and offers a schedule of exhibitions, programs, and art classes for artists of all ages. Each 3-day session offers a different set of classes focused on a specific theme or technique with new projects each day (and often a different suggested age range). Class size limit is 15 students. Advance registration is required. Class fees vary by program 809 15th Street, Golden, CO 80401 303-279-3922 Denver Museum of Nature and Science http://www.dmns.org/learn/families-and-children/summer-camps The Denver Museum of Nature and Science offers fun, exciting and educational weeklong summer camps on dinosaurs, space science, rocks and much, much more. Camps are offered the week of June 9th - through August 15th, 2008. Camps are available for ages 4-5 through 6th grade. Partial scholarships are available for families with a documented annual income of $30,000 or less. 2001 Colorado Boulevard Denver, Colorado 80205 303-322-7009 1-800-925-2250 Art Students League of Denver Summer KidArt Camps http://www.asld.org/youth-programs/summer-camps.php The Art Students League of Denver is a non-accredited fine arts school, gallery, and site of frequent neighborhood art fairs and events. Regionally and nationally recognized working artists offer classes and workshops in a wide selection of media. Summer KidArt Camps are one- and two-week morning or afternoon camps for kids in grades one through eleven. Classes are offered in an assortment of media and themes and are divided by age and ability. Supervised care is offered before, in-between, and after all workshops. 200 Grant Street, Denver, CO 80203 Phone: 303-778-6990 Fax: 303-778-6956 Ages: 5 and up Cost: Varies by class Email: asld@asld.org Camp Shakespeare http://www.coloradoshakes.org/education-outreach/shakespeare-in-the-summer/camp-shakespeare-2010 Now in its twelfth year, this day camp, held on-site at CSF’s facilities on the Boulder campus of the University of Colorado, is a lively and challenging 3-week summer program focusing on the skills needed for acting Shakespeare. University of Colorado. 277 UCB Boulder, Colorado 80309 303-492-1537 Rocky Mountain Chess Camps http://www.coloradomasterchess.com/camp.htm Coed, All ability levels, Open to ages 6-18 Participants will be divided into similar ability groups (beginner, intermediate, advanced) and age groups for sessions focusing on all aspects of the game including scorekeeping and chess etiquette. Students will compete in mini tournaments for trophies as well as play in a simultaneous exhibition against an instructor. Phone: 303.770.3696 Ages: 6 and up Denver Art Museum http://www.denverartmuseum.org/learn_and_play/families_and_kids/classes_and_camps Many of these sell out early. Call to check on waitlists. 100 W 14th Ave Pkwy Denver, CO 80204 720-865-5000 720-913-0048 - education www.denverartmuseum.org Space Voyage Summer Camp http://www.spacevoyage.com/ 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. http://www.spacevoyage.com/ 1504 South Johnson Court, Lakewood, Colorado 80232 email: Dr. Palmere, dr-palmere@spacevoyage.com Phone: (303) 985-3143 University of Colorado Science Discovery: Colorado Kids http://www.colorado.edu/sciencediscovery/classesSummer/index.html 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. Our 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. Our classes support the Colorado Science Standards. Colorado Kids Wilderness Camps: http://www.coloradokids.com/linkframe/sciencediscovery-frameset.html 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 Science Discovery office 3400 Marine Street, 446 UCB, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0446 Phone: 303-492-7188 www.colorado.edu/ScienceDiscovery Butterfly Pavilion http://www.butterflies.org/education/camp-listings.php The Butterfly Pavilion offers fun and educational camps with a focus on invertebrate animals such as insects and spiders. Come experience the joys of nature with us this summer! All camps include live animal encounters, outdoor explorations, games, and crafts. We offer 1 ½ hour camps, half day camps, and full day camp experiences for ages 4-9. 6252 104th Ave. Westminster, CO 80020 iD Tech Camps http://www.internaldrive.com/colorado/index.htm iD Tech Camps offers weeklong, day and overnight hands-on technology summer camps for students ages 8-17 at universities nationwide, including DU. They provide a safe and fun environment, where campers learn the latest technology from carefully-selected, passionate instructors. Campers select from the following week long beginning to advanced programs: Digital Video and Movie Production, Multimedia and Game Creation, Web Design and Graphics Arts, Programming and Robotics, and Stop Motion Animation. Our academic camps have an average of six students per instructor and customized curriculum for beginner to advanced learners. iD’s unique summer camps offer courses that vary from creating video games and producing digital movies to designing web pages and learning programming and robotics. 1885 Winchester Blvd., Suite 201 Campbell, California 95008 Email: info@internalDrive.com Phone: 888-709-TECH Young Americans Center for Financial Education http://www.yacenter.org/pfe/summer-camps.html The mission of Young Americans Center for Financial Education is to further the economic education of young people so they will be competent and knowledgeable in managing their financial affairs and may prosper in the free enterprise system. 3550 East First Avenue Denver, Colorado 80206 ph 303-321-2265 fax 303-320-6507 Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities http://arvadacenter.org/education/classes 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. 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. Arvada, Colorado 80003-9985 (720) 898-7200 Wild Bear Center for Nature Discovery http://wildbear.org/ 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. P.O. Box 3017 Nederland, CO 80466 303-258-7092 jill@wildbear.org Denver Botanic Gardens http://catalog.botanicgardens.org/Default.aspx?hview=bycategory&tagid=7 Weeklong, 9 am-4 pm classes. Pre-resgistation is required. To register, please call 720-865-3580, or register online 1005 York Street Denver, CO 80206 720-865-3500 registrar@botanicgardens.org Denver Zoo http://www.denverzoo.org/education/summerSafari.asp Come spend a week with Denver's wildest residents! Summer Safari is a fun-filled educational experience for animal lovers from preschool to those going into fifth grade. Campers participate in hands-on activities, animal visits and observations, crafts, games, stories, projects, and zoo tours. Activities are designed specifically for each age group. 2900 E 23rd Ave Denver, CO 80205 (303) 376-4800 Denver Center Theatre Academy http://www.denvercenter.org/education/ProgramsforChildrenandTeens.aspx The Denver Center Theatre Academy provides aspiring theatre artists with the opportunity to develop their talents and skills. The Children's Program offers a variety of classes designed to introduce students to theatre and expand their imaginations through drama games and activities. Classes are offered for children ages 2 1/2 through 12. During summer break, the Academy offers week-long drama programs that meet daily from 9 am-4pm 1101 13th Street, Denver, CO 80204 Phone: 303-446-4892 Cost: $75-$350 Email: academy@dcpa.org Lakewood Cultural Center Camps June-July: City of Lakewood programs for ages 7-14. Camps include weaving, comic-strip cartooning, clay sculpture, acting. Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood 303-987-5436 Lighthouse Writers Workshop http://www.lighthousewriters.org 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. Fully enrolled for Summer 2010. 2123 Downing Street, Denver, CO 80205 Phone: 303.297.1185 Ages: 9 and up Cost: Varies by program Email: info@lighthousewriters.org Colorado Academy Summer Programs http://www.coloradoacademy.org/podium/default.aspx?t=125875 Programs for ages 5-18. Day Camp, Academics, Arts, Sports Camps, Extended Care, Bus Service. 100+ acre campus, two gymnasiums, theater, art and photography studios. 3800 South Pierce St 303-914-2531 Science Adventures http://www.discoverchampions.com/main/do/Students_and_Parents_Science_Adventures Science Adventures presents four exciting weeklong hands-on science camps! Campers going into grades 1-6 can explore science in a fun, interactive way. Children are introduced to thematic science concepts in natural surroundings as they build projects, conduct experiments, and play science-oriented games. Home Office Address 10106 West San Juan Way Suite 100 Littleton, CO 80127 888-458-1812 Downtown Aquarium http://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/downtownaquariumdenver/flash_content/index.html Weeklong camp including lunch, snacks, activities, for students in grades 1-6. 700 Water St., Denver 303-561-4444 Four Mile House http://www.fourmilepark.org/index.php?/education/seasonal/ Children experience a simpler way of life at a slower pace as they learn and play as Colorado children did in the late 1800s. Campers will experience direct and meaningful contact with our 12-acre historic park and Denver’s oldest standing house. 715 South Forest StreetDenver, Colorado 80246720-865-0814 Mizel Museum http://www.mizelmuseum.org/creative_journeys.html Art programs with a theme. 400 S. KearneyDenver, Colorado 80224303.394.9993 Jewish Community Center http://www.jccdenver.org/?page_id=149 The JCC offers a variety of themed and regular day camps. 350 S. Dahlia St Denver, CO 80246 (303) 399-2660 info@jccdenver.org FURTHER RESOURCES FOR MORE OPTIONS: Kids Pages http://www.kidspages.org P.O. Box 745219 Arvada, CO 80006 303-277-0053 Provides an excellent list of summer activities, classes, and camps Colorado Parent http://colorado.parenthood.com/CO_VCF_home.php 5460 South Quebec Street, Suite 130 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 303-320-1000 Denver Day Camps http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/browse/subcat.jsp?area=191&category=157 HoagiesGifted http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/summer.htm American Camp Association http://find.acacamps.org/finding_a_camp.php Kids Camps http://www.kidscamps.com/kc_dba/owa/kids1_newdesign?typename=Art&state=CO Denver Post Summer Day Camp Issue http://www.denverpost.com/lifestyles/ci_14360255