TDI Johnson 2009: June 21-26
The twelfth annual Talent Development Institute will take place at Johnson State College, Johnson, VT, June 21-26, 2009. This week-long opportunity promises to continue the excitement of the past eleven years. Participants will experience challenging learning opportunities with dynamic faculty and stimulating peers. Students entering grades 4–9 will be involved in week-long sessions, daily exploratory activities, and evening entertainment and exercise – including use of the college pool.
Features
This year’s schedule is a healthy mix of popular strands, such as Improvisation and Media Production; new twists on old favorites, such as Blog and Webpage Design, Written Word, and All the World’s a Dance Stage; and many new strand offerings, including: Science: Some Stuff That’s Hot and Some That’s Cool, Self-Snapshots, and Bubbles Galore!
We are pleased to be continuing the Leadership Program for students in grades 10-12 who have previously been TDI participants. This program is partially funded by a grant from the Redducs Foundation. For more information, please contact us.
The Program
TDI may be experienced as a commuter or as an overnight camper. Students engage in a variety of unique classes that nurture the students’ common love of learning.
The overnighter campers are supervised by Institute staff, with housing in the college dormitories. Dinner is at 5:30 each evening, followed by evening activities at 6:30 PM. We are asking overnight campers to arrive between 2:00 and 4:00 PM on Sunday, June 21, 2009. Supper will be provided on Sunday.
Check-in for commuters on Monday morning will begin at 8:00 AM. Mornings begin with a brief opening session for everyone at 8:15 AM, and an opportunity to choose a guided exploratory for late afternoon. The morning strands (classes) start at 8:30 AM, followed by lunch provided for all participants at 11:45 AM.
The afternoon begins at 12:30 PM with two additional strands. Exploratory classes will take place at 3:45 PM. Commuters will be dismissed at 5:00 PM.
Students will be assigned to strands based on the choices sent in with their registration forms. These strands run from Monday through Thursday, with a shortened class on Friday, followed by lunch for students and a final program for parents on Friday afternoon.
Parents of overnighters will be asked to arrive at 12:30 PM on Friday to help their child move out of the dorm, before enjoying the afternoon final program at 1:30 PM. This year the week ends after the program at approximately 3:00 PM on Friday.
Special Note: For overnight participants, the Talent Show will be held on Thursday evening; please be sure to bring your instruments, costumes, magic tricks, or whatever else you might need to participate!
FOR PARENTS ONLY
Parents of gifted children are also gifted and love to learn, too. Often overheard at the Friday TDI program: “I wish I could have spent the week here!” Now’s your chance! Spend part of your Sunday (1- 3:45pm) and Friday (9- 11:45am) exploring some of the types of opportunities your children enjoy all week. Choices of strands will include those which focus on parenting gifted children and/or creative endeavors. The fee is minimal: $25 total for the two partial days. Please register for this on your child’s registration form.
The Location
Nestled on a hill in the heart of the Green Mountains of Vermont, the Johnson State College campus offers a spectacular natural environment along with modern educational facilities. The Institute is held in classrooms, lecture halls, and computer laboratories on campus. Participants are also able to use the Library and Learning Center as well as the Shape Facility where the college pool and exercise facilities are located.
Johnson State College is just off Vermont Route 15 in Johnson. North and south routes take Interstate 89 to exit 10. Head north on Vermont Route 100 approximately 18 miles until it merges with Route 15 in Morrisville. Head west on Route 15 approximately 8 miles to Johnson. Watch for signs on the right directing you to the campus.
The Faculty
The Talent Development Institute is staffed by highly experienced Vermont educators, many with master’s degrees in the education of the gifted, and by Institute alumni who are gifted learners themselves. Short biographies of each instructor can be found on our staff page. Classes have low student to teacher ratio, averaging 10 to 12 students.
Questions and Further Information
For registration, please visit our registration web page for instructions and other information. Please contact TDI Co-Director, Lucy Gage Bogue, at lucybogue@yahoo.com with questions and requests. Student sessions fill quickly; each session is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Deadline for Johnson Registration is May 21, 2009 ($50 late fee charged after this date). Scholarship Applications due May 1, 2009.