Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Held at Moravian College
For the thirteenth consecutive year, Moravian College hosted the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Center for Talented Youth program. The summer camp is attended by students ranging from sixth to tenth grade. The camp is held on Moravian’s Main Street Campus in two three-week sessions.
Approximately 250 students attend each session. A faculty and staff of 75 teach nineteen different classes. To be accepted, younger students (those who have completed fifth or sixth grade) had to take a standardized assessment test. Acceptance of older students is based on their SAT scores and other factors. Each student in attendance is academically gifted.
The JHU program offers a variety of courses such as “The Middle Ages,” “Engineering Design,” “Biotechnology,” and “Inductive/Deductive Reasoning” to attract youngsters of all backgrounds and interests. There are more traditional courses offered as well, including geometry, psychology and writing.
“The JHU program offers a unique opportunity for gifted and highly motivated students to expand their academic horizons during the summer months,” said Christopher Hunt, director of student life at Moravian, who helps coordinate summer conferences at the college. “The kids want to learn; they have a real thirst for knowledge. They tell their parents they want to come here.”
Some courses run seven hours a day, Monday through Thursday, and five hours on Friday. Each student is housed on campus. There is also a full program of recreational and enrichment activities outside of the classroom.
For many of the youngsters the camp is the first time they will leave home. This is the 29th year of the JHU program. Moravian was chosen to join the program in 1997. Other schools such as Princeton University in New Jersey, Stanford University in California, and the European University of Madrid, Spain also host the program.#
