Appalachian Institute for Creative Learning (AICL) Summer Enrichment Camp
“AICL creates an
environment in which it’s safe to laugh and learn, to risk and fail, to
experiment with something outside of one’s competence. We celebrate the
life of the mind, but we’ve seen too many bright, interesting campers
who don’t necessarily fit well in a traditional school model to limit
ourselves to those who’ve been classified as “gifted.” Instead, we call
our campers motivated learners, figuring anyone who shows up to take
biology, math, or art in July is motivated. Campers make lifelong
friends at AICL. They experience breakthroughs in their thinking and
understanding. They experience acceptance and new confidence in their
social skills. But most of all, they receive a lesson that we hope will
stay with them their whole lives, and that, through all of our changes,
we’ve known all along: Learning is fun.”
Each summer, AICL hosts
its Summer Enrichment Camp at Warren Wilson College. They offer both
residential and day camp programs, and serve campers ages 8 to 17 (or
rising 3rd graders to rising 12th graders). The day camp program accepts
children ages 8 to 12. Overnight campers stay in a college dormitory,
generally sharing a room with a roommate; a counselor stays in another
room on the same hall. AICL typically has a staff-to-camper ratio of
1:5.
http://www.appalachianinstitute.org/
Tarheel Junior Historians at the Smith-McDowell House
Junior history buffs meet throughout the school year on the second Thursday of the month. New members are always welcome!
https://www.wnchistory.org/tarheel-junior-historians-smh-over-history/
Asheville Science Museum (formerly known as Colburn Earth Science Museum)
Colburn Earth Science
Museum is relocating and re-branding as the Asheville Science Museum. They offer Super Science Saturdays and other events throughout the school year, as well as summer camps when school is not in session. They are now located at 43 Patton Ave in downtown Asheville. Check them out at www.ashevillescience.org.
Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI)
PARI (pronounced “perry”)
is a non-profit astronomical observatory located in the Pisgah National
Forest near Balsam Grove, North Carolina. PARI operates multiple radio
telescopes and optical telescopes for research and teaching purposes.
The observatory is affiliated with the University of North Carolina
system through the Pisgah Astronomical Research and Science Educational
Center (PARSEC).
Throughout the year, PARI
hosts workshops and tours for students, including “Space Day” each May.
Check the schedule to see when you might want to visit for a talk and
tour.
http://www.pari.edu/about_pari/PublicPrograms/
Duke TIP
The Duke University Talent Identification Program
(Duke TIP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving
academically gifted and talented youth. As a world leader in gifted and
talented education, Duke TIP works with students, their families, and
educators to identify, recognize, challenge, engage, and help students
reach their highest potential.
Children with advanced
intellectual and academic abilities continually perplex and challenge
educators and parents. Duke TIP is committed to serving this unique
group of students by providing services and programs beyond what is
offered in the classroom to meet the individual needs of gifted
children.
Click here for information on Duke TIP opportunities for 5th and 6th graders.
Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education
Located in the Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education offers Eco-Explorers programs
throughout the year for students ages 8 to 13 to engage with the
natural world through hands-on investigations. Online reservations are
required. Past programs have included animal tracking, primitive
survival skills, stream investigation, and fly-fishing, just to name a
few.
Asheville Community Theatre Youth Production Classes
Asheville Community Theatre offers Youth Production Classes for K-12 students interested in learning the ins and outs of participating in a big production and Broadway Bootcamp for
middle and high school students (beginning at age 12) who want to sing,
dance, and act. Both types of classes offer a performance component at
the end of the series.
North Carolina State Historic Sites
For a complete list of events hosted by NC State Historic Sites, visit this website.
Zaniac Asheville
Conveniently located for Roberson district students, Zaniac
Asheville is located in Biltmore Park and offers enrichment programs in
math and technology. You can learn more about them through their website.
For local calendars of events for students and families, check out Asheville Macaroni Kid or Mountain Express.
