April 26, 2013
SIU hosts Challenge to Excellence camps in June
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The 30th annual Challenge to Excellence Summer Program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale gives academically talented students the opportunity to stretch their minds.
Continuing Education and Outreach is hosting two June sessions of the camp, each for a different age group. They will take place on the SIU campus.
Challenge to Excellence provides academically talented students with opportunities to work hard and have fun in classes that promote higher-level thinking skills and creativity in a variety of academic subjects including mathematics, science, and creative writing. The program includes many other skill and content areas.
Camp I is set for June 9-14 and is for students who will be in grades 6-8 in fall 2013. Camp II will be June 16-21 for students who entering grades 9-11 in the fall.
Participants may register as resident campers for $395 or as commuter campers for $320 if signing up by May 24. Registrations received after the May 24 early registration deadline will cost $10 more.
The fee for Challenge to Excellence includes quality instruction, all meals, educational supplies and materials, limited accident medical insurance coverage, a camp T-shirt and recreational activities. Resident campers also get five nights lodging in an air-conditioned SIU Carbondale residence hall.
Camp organizers recommend that students 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 in order to attend the camp. A teacher or guidance counselor’s signature is required on 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.
Karen St. Pierre, mother of a previous camper said, “I was so happy that my daughter was able to participate in something not only fun, but something that would help her grow educationally. She had the opportunity to learn about things she never would have gotten in school. She loved the psychology class!”
For registration or more information, contact Continuing Education and Outreach at 618/536-7751 or visit their website at https://www.dce.siu.edu/.