<p>My friend went to a Concordia language camp and says they are really good. My high school spanish teacher was a helper one year.</p>
<p>Mine was more than luke warm but not quite hot about TIP. He thought it would be a bunch of smart kids studying and never having fun. He begged to go back the next summer and wants to go again. He still emails his friends from camp. He said it was the first time he really felt that he was with peers - meaning kids just like him who accepted him without reservation. </p>
<p>My other child refused to go, which was okay too. For the most part though, when I've had to gently nudge my kids to try something they've ended up loving it.</p>
<p>I teach gifted middle school students. The TIP/CTY programs can be amazing opportunities for students, but some students --and some parents-- are not ready at 7th grade for that type of experience. Students can have a traditional "joys of summer" experience that is subtly enhanced in academic ways.</p>
<p>This is a good time to investigate "day camp" experiences in your area. You may find a youth theater camp, a writing workshop, or a studio art camp. Look for things like photography and technology classes or lessons. This is an opportunity to expose a non-athlete to some life sports--swimming, running, mountain biking, tennis, etc.</p>
<p>Many cities have a volunteer agency that will match students as young as 14 with organizations that need volunteers.</p>
<p>Find a small dose of something to add to the endless summer... be creative and work with your child's strengths. This may be a good time to line up a mentor for next year's science fair project. Many of the projects that win nationally are multi-year efforts that involve a student being mentored by a scientist, physician, nutritionist, botanist, coroner, etc.</p>
<p>well im in 7th grade and i took the sat's but i didn't go to a summer camp. i was a part of Duke TIP, too.</p>
<p>I did the TAG program at SMU after 7th grade and after 8th grade - it was a fantastic experience and was in fact part of my essays as I feel this program gave me a taste of true academia and I believe contributed to my success in high school because I knew something better was soon to come. </p>
<p>You get to take a 3 credit class in the morning and a 3 noncredit class in the afternoon. There are tons of fun activities and it's easier if you are from the area than going to Duke or something and just as enjoyable and rigorous (and less $$$).</p>
<p>Let your child do what they want...I went to summer camp in 7th grade. As a matter of fact, I never went to any sort of educational program in the summer, and it didn't hurt me. Why should I spend my summer nerding it up? I have a life, let your kid have his. Unless, of course, he really wants to go.</p>