By Laura Engberg

The University plans to host an academic summer camp program for gifted and talented grammar school children this summer.

According to a press release, the Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG) will run from July 18 to Aug. 5, and give students in grades kindergarten through sixth an opportunity to study in a university setting.

Dr. Stephen Gessner, president of SIG, said the University proved to be a perfect new host site for the program because of its reputation, location and ability to accommodate SIG’s requirements.

He said there will also be opportunities for adjunct professors and graduate students at the University to be employed by the summer program.

“Grad students and perhaps adjunct professors in the School of Education who may be interested [in the program] would be terrific,” Gessner said. “We try to hire people who have had experience with this population [gifted students].”

Gessner said SIG’s program is more of the academic version of summer camp. Students will have a recreational period with planned activities, as well as snacks and lunch, but most of the time will be spent in the classroom.

One mother from the Westchester program said her son had an enriching summer when he participated in SIG.

“I think it [SIG program] is a good program for children who need enrichment and don’t want to have the original camp only containing sport activities. For the children that need an additional mental challenge, it’s a good way to spend the summer,” Mrs. Pierpont

Students can choose from courses within the humanities, science, mathematics and visual and performing arts programs.

“I think the summer camp for gifted students is a good idea,” student Heidi Buccigross said. “But only if the kids enjoy it. You only get to be a kid for a short amount of time so as long as they [the kids] are having fun, that’s all that matters.”

Students who are academically talented and have scored in the 95th percentile of one or more sections of national standardized tests are urged to apply.

The cost of attendance for the summer program is $1,650 per student and includes all necessary materials. Financial aid is also available.

The projected number of applicants for this summer is approximately 50 students, although more space is available if necessary.

In 2003, 60 students attended the program in Westchester, N.Y. and in 2002, 150 students attended the Fairfield, Conn.

In the upcoming months, promotion for the SIG program will be heightened and information will be available for anyone interested in applying for the program as a student or an employee.

“It’ll take some particular attention to get people aware of it [the program], but I don’t think it will be a problem at all,” Gessner said.