Kerileanne99 Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 It is that time of year again when it seems all the applications for summer programs are starting. There aren't many fun opportunities for the youngest set to meet other kids of similar interests in such programs, so when I saw this camp in the Davidson email I had a look. It looks intriguing, and is for PG kids age 3-12 with their families. Basic tenet seems to be to partner them with mentors and opportunities, particularly in their current field of interest. It is brand new, this is the first year...which may explain the lack of depth in information on the website. Regardless, hoping someone here has heard a bit more, and passing along the info for those with younger kids looking for summer opportunities... http://www.oreacademy.org/camp.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 I haven't heard any more about it than you have, but it would have been nice when DD was younger to have that sort of experience early on. I do wonder how the mentoring works, since there can be quite a range of topics PG kids are interested in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EndOfOrdinary Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 This sounds wonderful. It is out of our price range and on the other side of the U.S. Bummer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTBernard Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 That sounds amazing! Not sure it is in the budget this year, but maybe for future years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaConquest Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 VA is a bit far for us, and it sounds pretty religious. They don't mention any particular faith, but there was a lot of G-d talk in the About Us section. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathnerd Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 The description is very vague and it involves "family" participation - I am not looking to spend my time in summer camp as well. I am rather used to dropping off DS at summer camp locally and it does not disrupt my life. I might do the CTY residential summer camp that is local to us in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EndOfOrdinary Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 VA is a bit far for us, and it sounds pretty religious. They don't mention any particular faith, but there was a lot of G-d talk in the About Us section. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I find this so interesting...the word God and the religiously tones didn't jump out at me nearly as much as the word "genius." That word just sets my teeth on edge. When I went back and re-read, I totally see what you mean. Perhaps I have been screening our read alouds of Apologia too long.... 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerileanne99 Posted January 14, 2015 Author Share Posted January 14, 2015 I find this so interesting...the word God and the religiously tones didn't jump out at me nearly as much as the word "genius." That word just sets my teeth on edge. When I went back and re-read, I totally see what you mean. Perhaps I have been screening our read alouds of Apologia too long.... I noticed the word genius used as well...weird. Really makes me wonder about the qualifications of who would actually be running it:( I love the Idea that is is started by parents looking for options for their child, but for that kind of money would expect experts, long-time experience, and credentials, interesting mentors:) And yes, as far as religion goes: fine if that is just the faith of the faith of the founders, but not if the camp is just going to be a glorified elitist church camp that happens to collect PG kids. I wish there was more information. We wouldn't be interested this summer because of new baby, so I guess we shall keep an eye on it after the reviews are in for the first year! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 You may also want to look at PG retreat. It's just social, rather than trying to provide academic programming, but is another option that may have something more local. My experience is that it's not so much the clad of the programs, but the cost added to getting there that gets expensive fast! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaConquest Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 I noticed the word genius used as well...weird. Really makes me wonder about the qualifications of who would actually be running it:( I love the Idea that is is started by parents looking for options for their child, but for that kind of money would expect experts, long-time experience, and credentials, interesting mentors:) And yes, as far as religion goes: fine if that is just the faith of the faith of the founders, but not if the camp is just going to be a glorified elitist church camp that happens to collect PG kids. I wish there was more information. We wouldn't be interested this summer because of new baby, so I guess we shall keep an eye on it after the reviews are in for the first year! This was my impression as well. The genius thing grated on me too. I hope it's not some fundy novices trying to stealth minister to gifted kids, though, as a Jew, I'm probably just hypersensitive about that stuff. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lamppost Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 I noticed several of their "wish list" items people can buy/donate to the camp are large tents. So it kind of sounds to me like they're just trying to gather a bunch of families together to go camping, rather than providing what I would think of as a "summer camp" experience. ETA: I was gong to ask if anyone had experience with another PG summer camp, Yunasa, but I was just now finally able to find some more specific information about what they do there. Looks like it's definitely not for us. Here's a link: https://educationaladvancement.wordpress.com/2014/07/15/yunasa-west-2014/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quark Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 I haven't tried Yunasa West but have heard good things from others. I agree about the PG retreat suggestion. We can't afford to go every year and are generally not summer camp people but did attend one year and it was a good experience for us as a family. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwik Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Yunasa West sounds like the exact opposite of OreAcademy. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runningmom80 Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 I noticed several of their "wish list" items people can buy/donate to the camp are large tents. So it kind of sounds to me like they're just trying to gather a bunch of families together to go camping, rather than providing what I would think of as a "summer camp" experience. ETA: I was gong to ask if anyone had experience with another PG summer camp, Yunasa, but I was just now finally able to find some more specific information about what they do there. Looks like it's definitely not for us. Here's a link: https://educationaladvancement.wordpress.com/2014/07/15/yunasa-west-2014/ Seriously counting the days until DS is 10. That camp sounds awesome! Thanks for passing it along! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaConquest Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 I noticed several of their "wish list" items people can buy/donate to the camp are large tents. So it kind of sounds to me like they're just trying to gather a bunch of families together to go camping, rather than providing what I would think of as a "summer camp" experience. ETA: I was gong to ask if anyone had experience with another PG summer camp, Yunasa, but I was just now finally able to find some more specific information about what they do there. Looks like it's definitely not for us. Here's a link: https://educationaladvancement.wordpress.com/2014/07/15/yunasa-west-2014/ I just looked at the link. Woah. That is not at all what I was expecting. Teaching mindfulness I get; it's backed up by scientific research on its benefits. But, the rest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy G Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 My family LOVES PG retreat. We live close enough to drive and so it is affordable to us, although still spendy. The first year we went, my daughter, 12, broke down crying one night that she didn't ever think she would meet anyone like her. She now has a community of girlfriends from PGR. It has been a complete blessing for our family. I hesitated to spend the money at first, but we will keep going now. Yunasa is definitely very "out there" for some people, but others enjoy it immensely. My kids don't enjoy "fluff" all that much, so we have not pursued it. There is some "fluff" at PGR too, but there are so many options it would be easy to avoid also. I agree that although the founder of Ore Academy seems religious, I am not sure if it would flow through to the program. The heavy usage of genius definitely scared me a lot more. I don't know any PG parent who uses that term. We avoid it like the plague. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaConquest Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Is it just me, or is this like pulling teeth? From a FB group about gifted kids: Emily Bairn Summers 3 hrs All moms of gifted children are welcome to join Ore Academy's Mom Meet Up this Saturday, as we discuss "fun and games" for gifted children. http://blog.oreacademy.org/2015/03/fun-games.html Ore Academy: Fun & Games Ore Academy is a place of learning, joy, friendship, and support for profoundly gifted children and their families. At Ore Academy, genius shines! BLOG.OREACADEMY.ORG|BY ORE ACADEMY Like · Comment · Share Nathan Summers likes this. Monique Is the Ore Academy Camp secular? 2 hrs · Like Emily Bairn Summers Thank you of your question. Ore Academy is founded by individuals who believe in God, however the camp is nonsecular. It is not sponsored by any religious organization. Nor do we do any proselytizing. 1 hr · Like Monique Do you mean the camp is nonsectarian? Is there any religious aspect to the camp? Would atheists and people of different faiths feel welcome? 1 hr · Like Emily Bairn Summers I would hope that all would feel welcome. The Ore Academy team consists of people from different faiths, as well as an atheist. Our aim is to support families of profoundly gifted from all walks of life. 54 mins · Like Monique I appreciate that, and appreciate you answering my questions. I'm just trying to understand if there is any religious aspect to the camp at all. 52 mins · Like Emily Bairn Summers I am trying to understand your question better. What kind of camp are you looking for? 21 mins · Like Monique I have a highly gifted son, and am interested in camps for him. I also belong to a homeschooling message board where Ore Academy was discussed. Many of us on the message board were wondering where the camp is secular. It seems like a pretty straightforward question: does the camp have any religious content? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathnerd Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 If it is hard to get information out of people, it either means that they do not want to give you information or that they do not have the information you want. (BTW/ I remember that you are in SoCal - Galileo is now in that area too - we have used it for a few years now and it has been awesome - it focuses on many "Maker Shed" like projects along with Art and many creative things like song and dance too. It is not labeled for PG kids, but my highly gifted kid has a blast every summer there.) http://www.galileo-camps.com/socal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaConquest Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 If it is hard to get information out of people, it either means that they do not want to give you information or that they do not have the information you want. (BTW/ I remember that you are in SoCal - Galileo is now in that area too - we have used it for a few years now and it has been awesome - it focuses on many "Maker Shed" like projects along with Art and many creative things like song and dance too. It is not labeled for PG kids, but my highly gifted kid has a blast every summer there.) http://www.galileo-camps.com/socal Galileo looks amazing! I hope they will branch out to San Diego as well. Thank you for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runningmom80 Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I think she was confused about what secular means. Yikes. :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaConquest Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 She did post a followup: Emily Bairn Summers There is no religious content in our curriculum or courses. Many people on our team are religious, myself included, but this is not a "Bible camp." Ore Academy is designed as: a safe place for profoundly gifted children and their families to gather, a place of learning, mentors, discovery and friendship, a place where we embrace nature and technology at the same time. 16 hrs · Unlike · 1 Emily Bairn Summers I grew up in a home surrounded by highly gifted siblings, some 2E. I am now raising a highly gifted son and daughter who is yet to be determined. I have witnessed the need for these children to have a place to be themselves, to have access to people wh...See More 16 hrs · Edited · Unlike · 2 Emily Bairn Summers I am sorry, Monique, I just noticed a typo that would make this thread very confusing. "however the camp is nonsecular." should have been typed "the camp is non-religous" or "the camp is secular." I think my tired mind slipped them together. 14 hrs · Unlike · 2 Monique Thank you, Emily Bairn Summers. I appreciate it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathnerd Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 n.m. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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