Gifted Atlanta

I almost never post anything here that’s not located in the metro Atlanta area, but I’m making an exception because this camp just sounds so lovely — and it’s only a few hours’ drive away.

The Appalachian Institute for Creative Learning has posted its program details and registration for 2014. Held each summer at Warren Wilson College in western North Carolina, this enrichment camp offers children ages 8-17 (rising 3rd – 12th graders) the chance to learn about topics that interest them. This summer’s choices include creative writing, performance art, chemistry, computer logic, Greek mythology and more than I can possibly list here.

What I adore about the AICL curriculum is that — unlike in many programs for gifted kids — it’s not so STEM heavy. Sure, this program offers physics-related classes, but it also has a class in jug bands and another in creating costumes from newspapers. And even the physics classes are taught in a fun context (e.g., trebuchets). I just can’t think of any other summer program I’ve seen that does more to honor the many varieties of gifted children.

There’s a day camp option, as well as a residential camp.

Students need not be gifted identified by their school to attend. As the camp’s web site puts it, “[W]e call our campers motivated learners, figuring anyone who shows up to take biology, math, or art in July is motivated.”

Middle-school and high-school debaters are invited to hone their skills and prepare for the 2014-15 debate season by taking part in summer programs offered at Emory University and the University of Georgia.

Both programs are open to beginning and experienced debaters, with the students divided into groups based on their experience levels. Students conduct research and work on communication and logic skills.

Emory’s program, the Emory National Debate Institute, offers sessions ranging from two weeks to six weeks. Middle-school students will attend a day camp at Pace Academy. The sessions for high-school students will take place on the Emory campus. Students typically live in dormitories throughout the session, but a commuter option is available with a slight cost savings.

The University of Georgia’s Georgia Debate Institutes is open to rising 7th to 12th graders and offers sessions lasting one, two or three weeks. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The application deadline is June 10; there is a discount if you apply before May 1. Again, students may choose to commute daily to the campus instead of living in a campus dorm, and commuting students will receive a tuition discount.

The Emory University School of Medicine is now accepting registrations for the 2014 Summer Science Academy, open to students who will be in high school in the 2014-15 school year.

The academy, which is operated by the Office of Multicultural Medical Student Affairs, is an effort to open the world of science to girls and members of minority groups, who are statistically under-represented in scientific professions. However, all students are welcome, without regard for gender,  race or ethnicity.

The two-week program offers lectures, labs and field experiences in scientific areas including chemistry, biology, neuroscience, genetics and human disease. Students can attend a day program or choose a residential program and live on the Emory University campus.

The deadline to apply for the residential program is March 14. Applicants will be selected based on their interest level, grades and letters of recommendation.

For the day program, registration is first-come, first-served.

Financial assistance may be available.

Georgia Tech CEISMC has posted its summer program schedule for 2014, with registration scheduled to open in mid-February.

The PEAKS summer program offers a series of one-week camps for kids as young as rising 4th graders, although most of the courses are for middle- and high-school students. For middle schoolers, camp topics include game/app development, architecture and LEGO robotics. High school students have those choices, plus finance, industrial engineering and roller coaster physics.

CEISMC, the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing, is a Georgia Tech program to give children enrichment opportunities in math, science, technology and engineering. In addition to its summer programs, CEISMC offers classes during the school year through its Saturday K.I.D.S. Club sessions.

There may be snow in the air, but it’s time to start planning your child’s summer.

Registration opens Feb. 10 for the 2014 Summer Academy program at the University of Georgia. These camps, for kids ages 11 to 17, run the gamut from creative writing and 3-D animation to robotics and the always popular Mini-Medical School.

Most camps will let you choose to attend as a day camper, going home each night, or as a residential camper, living in a campus residence hall.

For kids and teens interested in programming, iD Tech computer camps will return to Emory University for summer 2014.

iD Tech camps are for kids ages 7 to 17. Topics include Scratch, Java, iOS, robotics, Minecraft and video game design, among others.

The camps offer a low student-to-instructor ratio and lots of hands-on learning. Some programs–including the two-week teen academies–allow students to live on the college campus; others are day camps only.