I’m looking for some options for DS this coming summer, he’ll be a rising junior. I’d like to find open, exploration type programs for smart/gifted students. DS has lost his love of learning and feels college will just be more of high school. I’d like him to get some exposure to different people, ideas, possible fields of study, maybe get him excited about the possibilities college can offer. He has no idea what he would like to study in college.
Are there any programs out there that we could show him? I don’t think he’d go for longer than 2 weeks.
It would help if we knew something about his academic interests and his talents. Is is strong in math, art, science, mechanical things? Does he lean toward science and technology, literature, social studies – or what? What are his hobbies; what does he do with his spare time? Is he a reader (what does he read on his own)? Has he taken any of the national tests?
These are just some questions that you should be asking, and then letting us know so that we could provide advice.
Two recommendations: Harvard Pre-College Program, has 2, 4, or 6-week options. Basically live in the dorms and do “college lite,” learn to party like a Harvard man, and meet other toolish kids worshipping Harvard. I did two weeks at Harvard before my junior year, although it was Harvard Debate Institute; I had a blast. Many colleges offer programs like this, but Harvard is … well … Harvard.
A program I did do, and can highly recommend, is the West Point Summer Leaders Experience. Note this is for rising seniors. Basically it’s an intensive one-week recruiting visit. When I was there we got treated like VIPs; on visiting the website I find it’s become more structured, with the “guests” doing PT, virtual warfighting simulation, etc. I had a wonderful time, though decided USMA wasn’t for me. (And then ended up joining the Army as a private at age 26.) I doubt there’s a 16-year-old boy in the U.S. who wouldn’t love to experience West Point and the Army but only go in up to his ankles.
He is strong in math and enjoys it. His 10th grade PSAT was 1410, perfect math. Hates to read fiction, is fairly literal but very creative with problem solving and enjoys hands on projects, but says he doesn’t want to be an engineer. In his free time he works on music sampling technology and Rubik’s cube speed solving as hobbies. He enjoys talking business and entrepreneurship.
I’d like something that exposes him to a variety of things so that something might spark his interests.
Look at COSMOS in California, also Stanford Summer has some really fun mathematical puzzle type summer programs – my son did one and really started to see the possibilities for college when he did. Many colleges have pre-college summer programs that put the kids in dorms and on campus – it gives them a feel for the difference between high school and college. I’ve heard good things about Brown’s programs as well. The only downside for many of these programs is that they are expensive…
Love it, @Morningsider, Thanks for the laugh. “only go in up to his ankles” – I’m definitely going to use that. 
I would look at what your local college have on offer.
Google “pre-college summer programs” for lists
Look at UCLA summer intensives. Maybe one of those will sound good to him. They are 1-2 weeks. Aside from the highly selective free summer programs, they are the cheapest I found. Older S did one few yrs back and loved it.
Really depends on how much you want to spend. If he’s good at math, you might look at some of the iDtech computer camps - they’re hosted at lots of universities across the country / world and are fairly reasonable (some sleep away, many not). Note: there’s no university affiliation, just hosted there.
RPI has some interesting summer programs geared to math/science kids that are semi-reasonable. My S did one summer between 9th & 10th grade and it was a good “sleep away” experience. There are others that are much more competitive and free if admitted, such as the Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN) program offered at both Notre Dame and Michigan State. My S did this one after 11th grade and enjoyed it.
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/summer-programs/
Maybe there is something in this summer programs area on this site!
DS has “lost his love of learning…”
This sounds to me like he needs to sign up for something that interests him in a non-academic environment.
So… if he is interested in software development - the opportunity to code something useful.
If he is interested in language… spending time abroad living with a family learning a language.
Etc.
(Wrong thread, edited out)
I will share my college freshman definitely lost steam end of sophomore and junior year (well senior year too). He managed to keep his grades up enough, but he’s a last minute Joe.
He reluctantly agreed to do a 10 day camp on a university campus as a rising senior. Nothing super academic. But a pay to play program. I wanted him to just meet other college bound students, get a taste of independent living, try something outside of sports.
He had a great time. He was so animated and excited when I picked him up. He is still in contact with some of other the attendees. He ended up writing as essay based on a leadership activity he did. He was able to define and see his leadership capabilities in a new light.
He’s in college now and I will say he’s not working to his up to his potential. Hopefully he gains some traction. That being said he’s charming, respectful, and extremely likeable.
I do think he might be the only boy who doesn’t want to go in even up to his ankles!
We are definitely looking to “pay to play” this summer. He has looked around and found some things he might be interested in. Thanks for the suggestions.
I know you are seeking programs, but after seeing my son through a perhaps similar period, I would recommend you encourage him to get a job this summer instead. Being tired of school means more school over the summer could make things worse. My son enjoyed his full-time job (food service) but it also made him think about the future and how he wants to spend it. It left him more committed to his education goals. Just something to consider, although I am sure you have already given this some thought. Good luck and I hope his love of learning returns!
Another one to look at is Foundation for Teaching Economics - these are one week programs hosted at various universities. My D did one between junior and senior year. Somewhat competitive, as not everyone gets in, but it’s still Pay-to-Play. A different focus for kids who aren’t totally STEM. My D enjoyed and is still in touch with some of the other kids on social media. With both my S & D, I found they continued to run into some of the kids they’d met at the different programs during the college application process.
Depending on if/where he decides to go for a summer program, you can tack on a college visit or two while you’re in the “neighborhood.” Summer between sophomore and junior year is a good time to make a few initial visits.
That said, @MominSB’s suggestion to also get a job is a good one. My D did work a summer job, but it was flexible enough to allow her to take time off for the program.
My D really enjoyed Summer@Brown (2x) because she was able to take really unusual classes not offered in HS. There are 1-4 week programs. Not cheap, but excellent financial aid if you qualify. Only one class at a time, and alot of activities available for weekends, evenings, etc.
We encouraged or D (a high school freshman) to look into summer pre-collegiate programs early just so that she could experience the difference between middle/high school and college. Last summer (before freshman HS year) she attended Stanford Summer Institutes. Made friends from around the world that she is still in contact with and spent 3 weeks diving into biology. This summer she is looking into either Summer@Brown or Georgetown summer program. Both have interesting bio/med opportunities.