Gifted children from across the state and country will get a taste of what “real college life” is like this summer. For two weeks, the students ranging in age from 11 to 18 years-old, will be participating in the 24th annual Summer Gifted Program on the campus of West Virginia Wesleyan College.

The program was founded in 1983 by Wesleyan physics professor, Dr. Joseph Wiest, and his wife, pediatrician, Dr. Jeannie Wiest. Local students from Buckhannon, Elkins, and other surrounding areas will take part in the program with students from Florida, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, and Virginia.

Participating students will take advanced age-appropriate courses such as astronomy, physics, thermodynamics, algebra, geometry, robotics, history, literature, and creative writing taught by college professors. Students attending the College Prep session may even earn college credit for participation in the program. The students will attend the classes, live in residence halls, and eat meals in the college dining hall just like college students.

“It’s a sampling of college life, and for gifted students, it offers them an intellectual challenge and stimulates their interest in higher learning,” said program director and political science professor Dr. Kwame Boateng. “The children have the opportunity to meet other students who are gifted, like them, and they form close bonds and friendships that last a lifetime.”

However, it is not just hard work and classroom time for the students. “In the evenings we hold dances, go to the movies and take field trips to the mall, “remarked Boateng. “We will also have pool and pizza parties and barbeques in the quad.”

This summer, fifth through eighth graders will attend camp from June 25 - July 8. Eighth through 11th graders will attend from July 9-22. Applications will be accepted until May 31.

To be eligible for the program, students must be identified as gifted or score in the 97th percentile on the mathematics or verbal section of a standardized achievement exam.

For further information contact Kim Howard at (304) 473-8072, e-mail sgp@wvwc.edu or visit the web site at http://www.wvwc.edu/wvwc/gifted/giftcamp.html.