News Release
July 2006 

Ten Years of Johns Hopkins University Camp at Moravian College

Sixth- to tenth-graders take college level courses at camp for talented youth

Bethlehem, Pa., June 25, 2006—For the tenth consecutive year, Moravian College is hosting the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Center for Talented Youth program. The summer camp is attended by students ranging from sixth- to tenth-grade who mainly come from the northeast region and take advanced courses at Moravian. Some students reside outside the region, including those traveling from countries as far away as Japan. The camp is held on Moravian’s Main Street Campus in two three-week sessions. The first session is held from June 25 to July 14 and the second session from July 16 to August 4. A special closing ceremony is held on the last day of each session in the afternoon.

Approximately 250 students will attend each session. A faculty and staff of 75 will 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 “Math and Music” to attract youngsters of all backgrounds and interests. There are more traditional courses offered as well, including algebra, geometry, 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 Dick Claussen, director of academic camps at Moravian. “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 26th year of the JHU program. Moravian was chosen to join the program in 1997. Other schools such as Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts and Stanford University in California also host the program. In the eastern Pennsylvania region, Layafette College became a host site in 2003.

Moravian College is a private, coeducational, selective liberal arts college located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Tracing its founding to 1742, it is recognized as America's sixth-oldest college. Visit the Web site at www.moravian.edu.