Summer Camps & Programs

Program Description

Duke Youth Programs

Summer Enrichment Programs
Durham, North Carolina

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For More Information, Contact
Duke Continuing Studies
Duke Youth Programs
Box 90700
201 Bishop’s House
Durham, North Carolina 27708
919-684-6259
Fax: 919-681-8235
http://www.learnmore.duke.edu/youth

Type of Program: Summer enrichment programs for academically motivated students in the areas of writing, science, drama, performing arts, and college selection/admissions
Participants: Middle school and high school students
Enrollment: 40–150 participants per program; varies by program
Program Dates: Duke Young Writers’ Camp: three 2-week sessions, June through July; Duke Action Science Camp for Young Women: one 2-week session in June; Duke Expressions! Performing Arts Camp: one 2-week session in June; Duke Creative Writers’ Workshop: one 2-week session in July; Duke Biosciences & Engineering Camp: one 2-week session in June; Duke Drama Workshop: one 2-week session in July; Duke Constructing Your College Experience: one 1-week session in July

Location

Duke University is located in Durham, North Carolina. Duke is a 20-minute drive from Raleigh-Durham International Airport, 15 minutes from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and 10 minutes from North Carolina Central University.

Background and Philosophy

Duke Youth Programs is a part of Duke University Continuing Studies and has offered summer enrichment programs for more than twenty years. Young people from around the country attend to engage in interactive, innovative, and transformative learning experiences. Programs are designed to meet the needs of motivated students who desire intellectual experiences beyond the traditional academic setting. The programs provide a supportive atmosphere of active learning. Cocurricular social and recreational activities are planned to complement the instructional day. Participants also experience life in a college setting and the responsibilities of independent living with supervision.

Program Offerings

Duke Young Writers’ Camp (grades 6–11) The Duke Young Writers’ Camp provides participants the opportunity to explore and refine writing skills through a diverse curriculum of short story, poetry, journalism, playwriting, mystery writing, and more. Students develop creative and analytical processes of writing in self-selected courses under the guidance of professional educators and published writers. Classes are small and the learning environment is supportive yet challenging. Each instructional day begins with a morning gathering period, a time for large-group instruction and guest speakers, followed by classes and concludes with a readers’ forum, a time for students to share their work with their peers.
Duke Action Science Camp for Young Women (grades 5–7) Duke Action promotes scientific discovery through field and laboratory experiences in a forest environment. Participants examine ecological and biological principles through explorations of terrestrial and aquatic life, chemical and physical properties of the environment, and the impact of human activities on ecosystems. Learning activities include trips to outdoor field sites, educational games and simulations, and laboratory experiments. Opportunities are provided for students to interact with women in careers in the physical, biological, and environmental sciences. Applicants should have a genuine enthusiasm for science and a willingness to engage in outdoor exploration of scientific concepts through hands-on activities.
Duke Expressions! Performing Arts Camp (grades 5–8) Duke Expressions! provides an intense, hands-on exploration of the performing arts, with offerings in drama, dance, vocal training, and musical theater. Participants and staff members work together to encourage and support participants as they develop their creativity and expand their talents. The instructional day includes three classes, studio time, and a gallery period. Studio time provides an opportunity for participants to work on individual and group projects. The gallery period provides a forum for participants to share their work with their peers. The session concludes with a final performance and gallery to showcase campers’ work.
Duke Creative Writers’ Workshop (grades 10–11) The Duke Creative Writers’ Workshop provides advanced writers who are committed to refining their skills and building a community of writers an intensive creative writing experience. Instructors and peers work collaboratively to assist participants in reaching their self-defined workshop goals. The interactive format allows participants to share work in small groups and receive constructive written and verbal feedback in a supportive environment. Students select a primary instructor based on the genre in which they wish to work for the duration of the camp. Other learning experiences include participation in mini-lessons, individual conferences, forums, writing exercises, and readings.
Duke Biosciences & Engineering Camp (grades 6–8) Through laboratory experiments and other related activities, participants increase their knowledge of the human body as a system of biological components ranging from cells to organs. Participants are introduced to mechanics, sensing, communication and energy, tissue engineering, and robotics. There are also opportunities for participants in the program to develop their critical-thinking and problem-solving skills through group and individual assignments. To further enhance their experience, participants visit other laboratories on campus and nearby university laboratories.
Duke Drama Workshop (grades 9–11) The Duke Drama Workshop offers high school students an intense drama experience, which culminates with a final performance. The workshop provides a supportive environment for students who are committed to refining their skills and building a community of actors. Participants attend daily acting classes to learn the creative and technical processes of acting. They also attend rehearsal periods of selected scenes from plays under the direction of professional educators, actors, and artists. Based on their individual areas of interest, students select from several acting classes and rehearsal periods representing drama, musical theater, and comedy.
Duke Constructing Your College Experience (grades 10–11) Constructing Your College Experience is designed to empower college-bound students in their exploration of college options and navigation of the college application process. Participants learn to evaluate colleges relative to their needs and interests, understand the multidimensional application process, and discover the challenges and opportunities of university life. In addition to small-group instruction, each student receives individualized guidance from an experienced college admissions counselor. Students sample college life by living, eating, and attending class on the Duke campus.

Enrollment

Enrollment varies by program and ranges from 40 to 150 participants per program.

Daily Schedule

Specific program schedules vary. The average instructional day is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Extra Opportunities and Activities

A variety of cocurricular social and recreational activities are offered during afternoons, evenings, and weekends. Each afternoon, students participate in elective activities, such as arts and crafts, sports and games, drama, or community service. Additional evening and weekend activities include dances, talent shows, karaoke, movies, and more.

Facilities

All participants live, dine, and attend class on Duke University’s East Campus. Some programs have class on West Campus. All participants have an opportunity to visit West Campus during their stay.

Staff

The instructional staff includes professional educators, published writers, and talented artists. Each camp has an academic director, who coordinates academic life and advises instructional staff members. The residential staff members are mature, talented, and enthusiastic graduate and undergraduate students, who supervise campers in the residential hall and at other out-of-class times, such as meals, free times, and special events. The residential counselors also plan and lead a variety of social and recreational activities. A professional educator directly supervises the residential staff members and their activities.

Medical Care

Medical care is available at Duke University Wellness Center and the Medical Center.

Religious Life

The Duke University Chapel offers nondenominational services on Sunday mornings. Residential staff members are available to escort participants to these services as well as Friday evening temple services. Requests for other services are handled individually and are accommodated if possible.

Costs

Tuition for 2008 was $825 to $915 for day participants, $935 to $1065 for extended day participants, and $1200 to $1705 for residential participants. Residential tuition covers instruction, instructional supplies, room, board, recreational activities, a camp T-shirt, and a notebook. Day and extended day camper tuition covers Monday-through-Friday instruction, instructional supplies, lunch, a camp T-shirt, and a notebook. Extended day camper tuition also includes Monday-through-Friday dinner and afternoon/evening academic and recreational activities until 9 p.m. Students are encouraged to bring spending money for optional activities and souvenirs.

Financial Aid

Limited need-based financial assistance is available. The financial aid application is available on the Youth Programs Web site or by calling the program. Applications are due by March 13.

Transportation

Duke University is 20 minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport and 10 minutes from the Durham Amtrak Station. Duke Youth Programs transports students to and from the airport and train station during designated times. The program cannot meet and escort unaccompanied minors from the gates. Only participants who meet airline requirements to travel alone and are comfortable making their way to the baggage area should plan to fly and use the shuttle provided.

Application Timetable

Inquiries are always welcome. Registration begins in early December and remains open as long as space is available. A $300 nonrefundable deposit is required at the time of registration. All balances must be paid by May 18, 2009.