VENTURE AND CULTURE, INC.

 

 

 

 

• Choose from a wide variety of courses taught in Humanities, Math, Science, Technology, Multi-Disciplinary, Visual and Performing Arts, and Fitness and Recreation

• Experience independence within a secure environment living in a college dorm for 3 weeks (commuter option also available)

• Meet other gifted students from around the world who share common interests,abilities, and goals

• Enjoy a variety of fun social activities in the evenings and excursions on the weekends

 

 

I.Courses

 

Students may take four classes in the four-period day. All campus courses are ninety minutes long and run for 15 sessions during the three week program.

 

Tips on Choosing Courses and Making Your Schedule:

 

The most important thing to consider when choosing courses is to create a schedule that helps the student develop individual passions and also pursue topics of interest. We suggest that parents with any academic questions or concerns contact the SIG office. Here are guidelines we have found helpful:

•Choose two courses within an area of strength, such as science or humanities.

•Try a course in a new area of interest!

•Choose a course from the arts or fitness offerings.

 

A computer lab is provided on most campuses for access during available times. While personal computers are not required, they are recommended for many courses.

 

Students can change courses on the second academic day only, as long as an appropriate course alternate is available. Students may drop a course at any time and have a daytime, self-directed study period instead. The daytime study period is not listed in the schedule, but may be arranged on campus through the Academic Dean.

 

Evening Study/Tutorial Period

 

SIG provides a nightly Study/Tutorial period for residential and extended commuter students. This self-directed study period allows additional time to conduct research and to work on individual and group projects.

 

Please Note: Not all courses run at all campuses. Students must choose alternative courses in case a selected class is at capacity or is not offered due to under-enrollment. We also encourage students to apply early to increase their chances of getting their first choice courses. Our final schedule of courses is reflective of the preferences of students enrolled at that campus. Course schedule adjustments by campus occur in April. Students may transfer to another campus as long as there is space on the alternate campus.

 

 

II. Campus Life

 

Housing and Meals

Students reside in a dormitory on campus. Depending on the dormitory configuration, the students may live with one or two roommates or have a single room, or they may live in a suite of up to three students, with a common bathroom. Counselors live on the halls with the students, supervising a group of 10-14 students who are of the same gender and age group.

Counselor Groups eat together during mealtimes in the dining hall, and participate in group and teambuilding activities at least once a week.

Three to four Counselor Groups are combined together to form a SIG house, which is supervised by both a Resident Assistant and a Housemaster.

All Housemasters report directly to the Residential Dean, who is responsible for the overall organization of the session’s residential programming.

Dining and Meals

Meals are served buffet-style in the college dining halls on campus.

Campus Services

 

Athletic Facilities

Athletic facilities vary by campus and may include gyms, tennis and basketball courts, swimming pools and outdoor fields. During the three-week session, these facilities may be shared with other programs; however, they always are supervised by our staff during scheduled programs. Students cannot use athletic facilities during unsupervised periods.

 

Laundry

We encourage students to use the laundry facilities located on campus. Machine washers and dryers are available at no or nominal costs. Counselors can assist students with doing their laundry.

Senior Privileges(Ages 15-17 Only)

Students in the Senior Group will be granted Senior Privileges after the third day of the program. Why only after the third day? Your students’ safety is important to us, as is their need to differentiate themselves from the younger students and experience their independence!

During the first three days of the program, all students will follow the normal supervision rules with regards to being escorted by a staff member on campus at all times. This schedule will orient the students to the campus and get them acquainted with the daily schedule. If, after the third day, the senior group has acted in a responsible manner, the following privileges will be employed:

• Senior students (ages 15-17 only) will be provided with a campus map containing SIG program boundaries (drawn on the map) and a list of approved activities.

• Buddies will be assigned

• Seniors will be allowed to wake up, get ready and get themselves to breakfast unaccompanied by staff (it is mandatory to attend breakfast).

• Seniors will be able to walk to classes, lunch and dinner unaccompanied by staff.

During the first couple of days, Housemasters will hold meetings with the students to discuss the Senior Privileges guidelines and what additional types of senior-only activities they might be interested in. Here are some potential suggestions for ‘Seniors-Only’ activities and privileges:

• Take-out food nights

• Snack bar, ice cream social or theme party during evening dorm time or recreation hour

• Study period (seniors only) in the dorm

• Theme parties the students plan

• Social hour during recreation hour

• Designated senior ‘hang out’ spots and activities

• Ability to go off campus (recreation hour and evening activity trips to town)*

• Seniors-only movies

* Any off-campus or out-of-boundaries excursions will require the supervision of a staff member.

 

 

1. . Activities

 

Student activities enhance the challenging academic curriculum through additional social and cultural interaction. These activities include:

 

1.Recreational Hour (All Students)

 

Held after the last course period, students may participate in swimming, tennis, basketball, volleyball, soccer, chess, and creative arts or relax and hang out with friends. Activities vary by campus.

 

2.Weekend Sunday Activity Days (Residential Students Only)

 

On-campus Activity Days involve the entire group in social as well as intellectual engagement.

 

Saturday Getaway Trip and Activities (Residential & Extended Commuter Students Only)

 

An off-campus trip is planned for one Saturday to a local amusement park or local attraction. The other Staurday will feature on campus activities.

 

3.Evening Activities (Residential & Extended Commuter Students Only)

 

These may include movie nights, counselor group activities, student theater performances and dances, as well as:

 

•The SIG Talent Show

 You know that thing that you do so well? Here’s your chance to share it with a very appreciative audience! Whether it is singing a pop culture song, playing a Beethoven sonata, delivering a comedic stand up routine or sharing an athletic feat, the Talent Show is sure to be an evening of amazing entertainment and merriment.

 

 

• Brain Bowl

 Channeling shows such as Jeopardy! and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, students get a chance to work in a team environment to show off all those interesting facts that they have accumulated in the last decade or so. Brain Bowl is the ultimate SIG challenge, combining speed, intellect and knowledge. Set in a game show environment, contestants answer challenging questions in art, history and government, geography, literature, and science and technology.

 

 

 

•Casino Night

 Gentlemen, dust off those tuxedos and ladies, don those evening gowns for an evening of chance. (Just kidding, you don’t have to dress up!) Transport yourself to Monte Carlo and tap into the strategist within. In this world of games you can test your skills with regards to the intricacies of probability. Whether you are an avid participant or a casual observer, it is sure to be a night of possibilities.

 

 

 

•Final Dance

 The culminating experience of your three weeks is upon you. You came in as strangers and you now prepare to part as close friends – but not before you party hearty at the final dance! So put on your dancing shoes and your signature party clothes and boogie on down to the dance floor. There will be a live DJ mixing up your favorite tunes and plenty of snacks and beverages to keep you going into the night.

 

 

Final Program

 

The final program is held on the last academic day and celebrates the SIG experience.

 

 

Eligibility

 

Students who meet at least ONE of the following criteria are invited to apply to SIG:

• Students who have scored at the 95th percentile or above in at least one of the major content areas or ability sections of a nationally-normed standardized test. For a full list of recognized tests, please visit www.giftedstudy.org/tests.asp. State criterion reference tests will only be accepted in cases where scaled score equivalents are provided and where the student scores correlate to a state percentile greater than      or equal to 95. Test scores must be current within the previous two years.

• Students who have scored in the gifted range on the PSAT, SAT, ACT or SSATB. For students taking the SAT, the code      number for reporting scores to SIG is 0375.

• Students who have participated in Academic Talent Searches.

• Students who have been identified as gifted and/or who have participated successfully in a local or school gifted program.

• Students who have scored at least two standard deviations above the mean, or at the 95th percentile level or higher on any individual or group-administered, nationally-normed, standardized, intelligence assessment.

Alternatively, if none of the above forms of eligibility is available, two Recommendation Forms can be submitted by educators who are familiar with the student's academic record, performance, and potential. Educators may submit confidential forms electronically or via hard copy.

 

 

International Students

We welcome our international students (defined as any student requiring a visa to attend) and value the richness of diversity in culture and orientation they bring to our programs. International students submit the same eligibility documents as U.S. students and in addition need to demonstrate a high level of English language proficiency in speaking and writing to integrate successfully into the SIG academic program. A Skype interview also may be required.