Summer Planning Tips for Gifted and 2e Kids

Late January and early February are a great time to think about summer plans for your gifted or twice-exceptional kid. Many summer programs open their enrollment at this time of year, and these programs can be an excellent opportunity for gifted/2e kids to explore their interests, develop their talents, and connect with like-minded peers.

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What does your kid need this summer?

 

These needs can be different from kid to kid and can also change from year to year.

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Some kids and teens crave lots of social time during the summer, or intellectual challenge that they don't get in their typical classroom. Some gifted/2e kids are thrilled to join a challenging, interactive summer program or they look forward to a fun, favorite sleep away camp, theater camp, or robotics camp each year.

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Other kids really need downtime and relaxation during the summer to recuperate and reset their nervous system after a stressful or tiring school year. If the current school year is particularly tiring for your kid, consider whether they would benefit from extra down time or "time off" this summer. Many twice-exceptional kids need big chunks of the summer to relax, watch videos, play games, zone out, read for fun, and do nothing so their nervous systems can recover from a stressful year.

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Embracing summer as a time of rest and recuperation

 

If your kid is having a difficult school year, is in burnout, masks a lot at school, or tends to struggle in summer programs, you might decide to embrace summer as a time of rest and recuperation.

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Depending on your own family structure and work schedule, this can be logistically difficult and may require creativity about how to manage your own responsibilities while your kid is home for the summer.

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Some parents find it helpful to allow more screen time during the summer to get some uninterrupted work time or alone time. Some kids also enjoy time with a babysitter or nanny and find it less stressful than attending a summer camp because they still get more individual attention, autonomy, and flexibility. You could look for a traditional caregiver or consider hiring a local preteen or teen who has a similar interest to your kid, who could come play with them while you work at home. (​I wrote about our Minecraft babysitter success here​.)

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Many kids and teens who need a restful summer may still enjoy outings or activities that are presented as options, without pressure to participate. Many of these kids also find it helpful and regulating to connect with parents in ways that feel low-stress and low-pressure, like playing video games together, reading books, doing favorite activities, or talking about their interests in Pokemon, space, Minecraft, Disney villains, or whatever else they're really into.

 

One of the most difficult parts of a restful summer can be the internal battle we feel as parents, that can make it hard to relax. Parents often feel external or internal pressure to "make the most" out of the summer, which can lead parents to feel stressed or worried when their kid uses a lot of screen time or wants to hang out in their room or around the house all day.

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It may be helpful to set an intentional goal of resting and recuperating or to find a short mantra that helps you feel good about supporting your kid's nervous system instead of focusing on productivity or what a "good" summer "should" look like.

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What are some things to consider when choosing a good-fit summer program for your gifted/2e kid?

 

If you think organized activities or programs would be a good fit for your kid or teen this summer - or if it's not an option to have them stay home - here are a few tips that might help you navigate your options.

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Look for a program focused on your child’s interest(s)

 

Summer programs cater to a wide range of interests. Many programs offer opportunities to explore interests or talents that may be neglected in your child’s classroom during the regular school year. If your child is fascinated by science, coding, engineering, politics, sustainability, fine arts, animals, or other subjects that don’t get much attention during school, you could search for programs or classes that would let your child dive deep into one of these interests. For some kids, these passions can lead to other activities, communities, and even careers.

 

Look for programs with the right depth

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Consider your child’s level of experience and ability in their areas of interest. Try to find a program that will offer them new information or allow them to explore their interest in greater depth than they already have. If your kid is passionate about writing, for example, they may enjoy a writing program where they get to write their own story or play with feedback or lessons from a real author or talented teacher. But a summer program that’s too simplistic (for example, one focused on free writing without guidance or on basic writing strategies they already know) may not feel as fun.

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Look for programs with the right pace

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Research shows that very bright kids (the top 1 in 200) can learn a full high school course such as chemistry or English in 3 weeks at a summer residential program for gifted youth. If your child is very advanced in a specific subject and eager to learn more, an accelerated program specifically for gifted/2e kids may be a good option. If you’re not sure whether your child can handle a certain pace, look at the entrance criteria for the program and/or chat with program staff about your concerns.

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What are some benefits of a summer learning program?

 

Nurture your child’s whole self

 

This may seem obvious, but summer programs aren’t just about developing skills and abilities, even if the program is focused on academic content. A good-fit program can also be a huge boost to a gifted/2e child’s motivation, confidence, and self-esteem. When they’re engaged in challenging activities they enjoy, kids can have a blast while they also get experience persisting on difficult tasks, using problem-solving skills, and collaborating with peers.

 

Make friends and feel like part of a community

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For many gifted/2e kids, the best part of their summer program is the social experience.

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Kids who feel out of place and lonely during the school year may feel more comfortable and find friends like them in the right summer learning community. When I worked at ​Explo Summer Programs​ in my early 20s, many families of bright kids expressed gratitude for their child’s social experience - for the fact it was “cool to be smart” and their child felt accepted instead of ostracized. Programs designed specifically for gifted/2e kids are a good bet, but so are programs that attract bright or enthusiastic kids who have the same interest as your child, even if they’re not gifted-specific.

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Summer programs might have year-long benefits

 

Some gifted kids look forward to their summer learning experiences all year and feel less bothered by the boring or lonely aspects of their typical school year because they know they have a positive summer experience ahead of them.

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How do I find a good-fit summer program?

 

Below is a sampling of organizations that offer summer programs for gifted/2e kids or that may be a good fit for a gifted/2e kid. They offer a mixture of online, day programs, and residential programs.

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For kids with low capacity, online classes can be a great way to add fun and social connection to the summer while still preserving capacity and keeping a lot of flexibility in the schedule.

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I’m not officially endorsing these programs, and I’m not affiliated with any of them. Instead, this list is a resource to help you explore the different options for gifted/2e kids.

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National/regional programs or online programs

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• ​Young Scholars Academy​ - online classes for gifted/2e kids with a focus on a supportive community and a range of fun topics and academic topics too (everything from Minecraft to Speech and Debate to AP courses), for ages 5+. Can be a great option for kids who want some structured, fun activities without a big time commitment or pressure.

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• ​Outschool​ - offers a huge range of online classes on different topics; can be a great way to find classes on your child's niche interests without a big time commitment.

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• Belin Blank Center ​Student Programs​ - online and in person programs (in Iowa) for students in grades 3-11.

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• ​Northwestern Center for Talent Development​ - online and in-person programs (in Illinois) for ages 4 - grade 12.

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• ​The Davidson Institute Summer Programs​ - residential summer programs (in Nevada) for highly gifted youth ages 8 - 13.

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• ​UC Berkeley Academic Talent Development Program​ - online and in-person options (residential and day programs); serves students completing grades K - 11.

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• ​The Center for Gifted Studies at Western Kentucky University​ - day camps and residential options (in Kentucky).

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• ​Interlochen Arts Camp​ - fine-arts residential summer program for talented students; programs in creative writing, dance, film and new media, interdisciplinary arts, music, theatre, and visual arts, grades 3-12.

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• ​Exploration Summer Programs​ - in-person learning programs for middle schoolers, including a veterinary science focus and medical rotations focus.

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Minnesota programs

 

I used to be located in Minneapolis; here are examples of programs I recommended to local families.

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• ​Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth​ (MITY) - programs for grades 1-12; summer programs focus on middle and high school.

• ​Leonardo’s Basement​ in Minneapolis - hands-on building opportunities for kids ages 6+.

• ​The Bell Museum​ - science camps for kids entering grades K - 8.

• ​The Science Museum of Minnesota​ - a wide range of courses for preK through grade 3.

• ​Loft Literary Center​ - in-person summer writing programs for ages 9-18.

 

Programs in your area

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You can also find programs in your area by searching online for your child’s particular interest(s) in your local area or nationally.

 

Some places to look locally include:

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• Science museums, art museums, children’s museums

• Ninja gyms, trampoline parks, climbing gyms, or similar - these might offer camps, classes, or summer passes

• Theater or musical programs for kids and teens

• Nonprofits focused on the arts or technology

• Public schools and public recreation programs (some offer gifted-specific summer programming, and others offer classes on specific subjects that may be of interest to your kid)

• Local universities or community colleges

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What if a summer program isn’t a good fit or isn’t accessible to us?

 

There are lots of reasons it might not be a good idea to pursue a formal summer learning opportunity for your child.

 

Some common reasons include:

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• You can’t find a good-fit program in your area

• The price is prohibitive and there aren’t adequate financial aid options

• The schedule isn’t compatible with your family’s schedule

• Your child isn’t interested in or ready for a residential program

• Your child loves to learn, but on their own terms - formal classes aren't a great fit for them

 

A formal summer program is definitely NOT necessary for your child to have a good summer, explore their interests, or make friends.

 

You can also support your child’s talents, interests, and relationships at home this summer with a little planning and creativity.

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• If your child loves nature, could you host a nature-documentary party or a visit to the zoo, aquarium, or a local pet store? Could you and your child volunteer with an animal-focused nonprofit? Do they have a friend or two who might like to join, or do you?

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• Would your child enjoy making a video or comic about one of their interests to teach other children? Hosting a Zoom presentation for friends and relatives?

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• Would your child enjoy helping with a project around the house or neighborhood that’s related to their interests or skills? Could they be an IT-tech support person, help redecorate a room, plan and prepare a special meal?

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• Do you know any adults who work in a field that your child is curious about, who might be willing to do a project with them or give them a (virtual or in-person) tour of their work?

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• If your child enjoys certain games (Dungeons & Dragons, Magic the Gathering, Settlers of Cattan, or video games), could you try a game event at a local game store or post on neighborhood groups to find a buddy with the same interest who would like to play?

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• Many gifted/2e kids are autodidacts - they are self-taught and like to learn on their own through online research, reading, playing, YouTube videos, and experimentation. These kids need plenty of time to engage with their interests through a variety of means. Many families have looser screen time limits in the summer so their child can learn online and through gaming alone or with friends.

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Best of luck with summer planning!