SPRINGFIELD, Mo., June 24, 2021 — Drury University’s longstanding summer camps for gifted students return in July. The day camps are organized by Drury’s Center for Gifted Education, in partnership with Springfield Public Schools.
The camps provide summer experiences for gifted students from pre-K through the 11th grade. The younger age groups will attend half-day camps on the campus of the Dayspring Christian School, while older students will attend classes on the Drury campus. Financial need scholarships are available.
Drury has been a national leader in providing education and enrichment programs for academically gifted students more than 35 years.
“While we were happy to be able to provide virtual camps last summer, we’re beyond thrilled to bring back the camps in person this year,” says Mary Potthoff, director of the Center for Gifted Education. “This is a wonderful tradition these students look forward to every summer.”
All camp faculty and staff are fully vaccinated and will wear masks during the day. Masks for students are welcome and encouraged, Potthoff says.
Elementary school students
The camps for younger students (called Summer Pals for ages pre-K through grade 1, and Summer Quest for grades 2 through 5) will take place on weekdays July 5-16 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at Dayspring Christian School, 2157 N. Prospect Ave. The hands-on, activity-oriented courses feature an array of interesting experiences geared specifically toward gifted students. Summer Quest and Summer Pals give students a chance to interact with peers of similar academic abilities and interests, while encouraging them to use their intellectual and creative side.
Students who attend the program also have the option to go to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield’s Stalnaker Unit at 1410 N. Fremont Ave. during the afternoons.
Middle and high school students
The camps for older students – called Summerscape for middle schoolers and Drury Leadership Academy for high schoolers – allow students to take two weeks of in-depth classes and go hands-on in areas that interest them such as forensic science, engineering, philosophy, bio-ethics, world culture and much more. DLA students can earn college credit for completion.
These camps will take place on weekdays July 12-23 from 9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m. on the Drury campus.
“The camps not only give this particular group of students the kind of enrichment they crave, but also provide them with a sense of community with their peers,” Potthoff says. “And that’s vitally important right now after some have spent the past year in virtual or hybrid learning environments.”
For more information about activities and subjects, as well as eligibly, cost and scholarships go to drury.edu/giftededucation, or contact Mary Potthoff at (417) 873-7386.
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Media Contact: Mike Brothers, Executive Director of University Relations – (417) 873-7390 or mikebrothers@drury.edu.