WKU News

Online applications are now available for summer camps offered by The Center for Gifted Studies at WKU. These camps are designed to inspire a lifelong love of learning and encourage high-interest and high-ability students to explore their academic passions and develop friendships outside of their regular school classrooms. All camps take place on the campus of Western Kentucky University, and classes are taught by WKU professors and area school teachers.

Summer Camp for Academically Talented Middle School Students (SCATS) | June 6-18, 2021

Offered every summer since 1983, this two-week residential camp provides a wide range of classes for academically talented students who have been in grades six through eight during the 2020-21 school year. Students take four courses from a wide array of choices. Evenings and weekends give participants the chance to engage in sports, arts, games, and social activities. Applications and more information can be found at https://www.wku.edu/gifted/scats.

Summer Program for Verbally and Mathematically Precocious Youth (VAMPY)| June 20-July 10, 2021

Students who have been in grades seven through ten during the 2020-21 school year qualify for VAMPY by taking the ACT or SAT and scoring at or above the average for college-bound seniors. At this three-week residential program, offered every year since 1984, students spend six hours each day in a challenging academic environment. Evenings and weekends are spent pursuing extracurriculars with other campers. Also, thanks to a grant from Qatar Foundation International, students wishing to study Arabic at VAMPY have the chance to attend camp for free or at a reduced cost. Applications, Arabic scholarship information, and more can be found at https://www.wku.edu/gifted/vampy.

Camp Explore | July 5-9, 2021

The Center for Gifted Studies’ Camp Explore (formerly known as The Summer Camp) is a one-week day camp designed for students with advanced ability and high interest who were in grades one, two or three during the previous school year. The experience features hands-on and minds-on instruction to engage children in learning at advanced levels. Throughout the week, teachers experienced in gifted education guide the students in learning that is differentiated for their particular needs and advanced levels. Applications and more information can be found at https://www.wku.edu/gifted/camp_explore/.

Camp Innovate | July 12-16, 2021

The Center for Gifted Studies’ Camp Innovate (formerly known as The Summer Camp) is a one-week day camp designed for students with advanced ability and high interest who were in grades three, four, or five during the previous school year. The camp’s approach is interdisciplinary: students study the big idea of "innovation" across a variety of disciplines like language arts, math, science, social studies, theater, and art. Applications and more information can be found at https://www.wku.edu/gifted/camp_innovate/.