April 29, 2010

SIUC to host Challenge to Excellence Camps

by Amanda Scott

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Carbondale will host the 27th annual Challenge to Excellence Camps this summer.

Camp sessions are set for June 13-18 and June 20-25, providing academically talented students with opportunities to “stretch themselves” in classes that promote higher-level thinking skills and creativity. The camp encompasses a variety of academic subjects including mathematics, science, and creative writing as well as other skill and content areas.

The first session is for students who are currently in fifth through seventh grades while the second session is for those now in eighth through 10th grades. Students may register as resident campers for $375 or as commuter campers for $300 if registration is complete by May 21. Registrations after this date incur a $10 late fee. The final registration deadline is June 10 for Camp I and June 17 for Camp II.

The fee for Challenge to Excellence includes five nights lodging in an air-conditioned SIUC residence hall (for resident campers only), all meals, educational supplies and materials, limited medical accident insurance coverage, a camp T-shirt, recreational activities and instruction.

Recommendations are for participants to have an IQ score of at least 120 (if available) and a score in the 90th percentile or above on the math, science and/or language arts sections of an achievement test. A teacher or guidance counselor must sign the application as a means of certifying that the student is qualified to attend the program. Returning students do not have to provide test scores.

For registration or more information, contact the Division of Continuing Education at 618/536-7751 or visit https://www.dce.siu.edu.