TDI Johnson 2008: June 22-27
The eleventh annual Talent Development Institute will take place at Johnson State College June 22-27, 2008. This week-long opportunity promises to continue the excitement of the past ten 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
Please note that once again we are asking overnight campers to arrive Sunday afternoon between 2:00 and 4:00 PM, rather than in the evening. We will have an extended Friday schedule again as well, finishing with the traditional program in the afternoon, rather than the morning.
Take note of the many new and expanded strand offerings, including Cory Telman’s “Pioneering” and the Jensen’s “Design Your Own Mini-golf Course.” There are also some of your long-time favorites, such as “Writing and Laughing Together” with Nancy Mildrum and “Everybody Dance Now!” with Nicole Dagesse. The popular “Adventure Education” is back for our 7-9 graders!
We are pleased to be continuing the Leadership Program for students in grades 10-12 who have previously been TDI participants. If you believe you are eligible for this program, but have yet to receive any information about it, please contact Lucy Gage Bogue at lucybogue@yahoo.com.
The Program
TDI may be experienced as a commuter or as an overnight camper. The overnighters are supervised by Institute staff, with housing in the college dormitories. We are asking overnight campers to arrive between 2:00 and 4:00 PM on Sunday, June 22, 2008. Supper will be provided for participants.
Check-in for commuters on Monday morning will begin at 8:00 AM. On Monday, and each day after, we will begin the day with a brief opening session for everyone at 8:15 AM. The morning strands (classes) start at 8:30 AM, followed by lunch provided for everyone at 11:45 AM. The afternoon begins at 12:30 PM with two additional strands. Campers will have an opportunity each morning to sign up for an Exploratory class for that day; these Exploratory classes will take place at 4:00 PM. Commuters will be dismissed at 5:00 PM. Overnight students will have dinner at 5:30 PM followed by evening activities at 6:30 PM. 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!
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.
The Location
Nestled on a hill in the heart of the Green Mountains, 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, gifted learners themselves. Short biographies of each instructor can be found here. 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 June 1, 2008. Scholarship applications due May 1, 2008.