Facebook Pixel SCATS | Western Kentucky University

SCATS


The Summer Camp for Academically

Talented Middle School Students

scats 2024 june 2-14
For students completing grades 6 - 8, SCATS will be June 2 - 14, 2024

Apply Now Courses Coming Soon
Recommendation Form Application Process Experience
FAQ Make a Payment Financial Assistance



A two-week camp held in June, SCATS offers high-ability students who have completed grades 6–8 a unique learning environment to explore new ideas, develop concepts, make friends, and share experiences. Students arrive at the WKU campus from counties around Kentucky, states across the nation, and countries around the world to challenge themselves academically and to meet like-minded peers with diverse backgrounds and interests.

Residential campers participate in evening and weekend activities and live on WKU's campus in an air-conditioned residence hall under the supervision of camp counselors.

SCATS provides a diverse curriculum and a wide range of enrichment experiences for about 150 middle school students every summer. Course options change each year but always range from the arts and humanities to mathematics and sciences. From a list of about 20 classes, students rank their top ten choices and are placed in four, which they attend every weekday.

Teachers are drawn from the WKU faculty, outstanding area teachers, and teachers who are enrolled in the WKU graduate program in gifted studies. They structure their courses around students’ interests and understand how to allow students to learn at higher levels and to think and create in their own ways. Courses change each year.

Though academics are at the heart of SCATS, emphasis is also placed on the social aspects of camp. Campers participate in a wide range of activities, many of which are created by their counselors, most of whom are college students who attended SCATS themselves. Whether they are competing in Ultimate Frisbee, making friendship bracelets, eating at cookouts, or playing capture the flag, campers come together as a community where everyone is accepted and learning is celebrated.

Some need-based financial assistance is available for campers for whom the expense might prevent attendance. Contact us by emailing gifted@wku.edu or by calling (270) 745-6323 for more information.

Learn more about the SCATS experience by exploring the stories and photo galleries from recent years.

 

I've enjoyed being able to work at a faster pace. I love the teachers here because if you have a question, they can go in-depth with their answer. It's very exciting.
— Halle Burton, SCATS 2020


I like all my classes — I thought it was going to be just like school, but it’s more fun because they don’t teach the usual way. It’s more hands-on.

— Akasha Glover, SCATS camper

SCATS: The Summer Camp for Academically Talented Middle School Students Video Preview

 

Days,
Hours,
Minutes,
Seconds
Loading...

 

The Center for Gifted Studies Camp Blog
Camp Photostreams

 


Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.

 Last Modified 1/8/24