Social Benefits of SIG

At the Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG), we combine challenging academics with social, cultural, and recreational opportunities that nurture gifted students’ social skills as well as their natural talents. SIG students gain life-long friendships through meeting like-minded peers who are accepting and encouraging.

How SIG Nurtures Gifted Students’ Social Skills

Surrounded by like-minded peers, gifted students are more likely to feel comfortable expressing themselves and showcasing their talents. During recreational activities at both the Investigators and Innovators Programs, students are encouraged to work and recreate together, support each other, share their unique interests, and have fun.

Students in the Innovators Program benefit from small counselor groups that encourage bonding through exciting activities. Students choosing the Residential or Day + Evenings & Saturdays program options enjoy exciting student activities such as movie nights, student theater performances, dances, local excursions, Brain Bowl (academic trivia challenge), and Game Show Night.

(Above photo from Social Time at SIG 2019.)

(Above photo of students enjoy t-shirt making at SIG at Princeton, 2019.)

(Above photo from Rec Hour fun at SIG 2019.)

(Above photo of friendships made at SIG 2019.)

SIG Testimonials

“I sent my son to SIG for the first time at the age of 13 as a quiet, tentative student who had yet to really find people that got him. The young man I picked up 3 weeks later was a completely different kid. He was talkative, playful, confidently independent and had clearly had found his people.”- SIG Parent, 2019

“SIG has given my child life. As he says, ‘I can be a nerd and nobody minds!’ He comes home every summer with so much confidence and full of ideas. I cannot thank the SIG staff enough for giving gifted kids the attention they lack during the school year." - SIG Parent, 2019

“This is the first time our daughter has truly felt that she has been part of her ‘tribe’.”- SIG Parent, 2019

“SIG was one of the best experiences of my life. They challenged me to be an all-around better person and I made friendships to last a lifetime.”- SIG Student, 2019

“While most people come to the SIG for the academics portion, most people keep coming back for the experience and opportunity to meet kids from all over the world, with different backgrounds but the same positive and intellectual curiosity. There is no other camp that comes even close to that.”- SIG Parent, 2018

“The SIG experience is amazing. My child didn’t just make friends, he added new members to our family. We are already looking forward to next year.”- SIG Parent, 2018

“I would recommend SIG to families of qualifying students as my student had so much fun meeting students who were at his thinking level while learning at the same time. He wanted to meet his friends every day and learn with them every day!”- SIG Parent, 2018