Are CTY summer programs worth the cost?

[Anonymous]

DD got into CTY right before the pandemic so she hasn't done any of their courses yet, since she didn't want more online classes. Now that they plan on in-person summer classes, I'm trying to determine if they are worth the commute and hefty price compared with other courses in the area. Any thoughts from those who have taken CTY or other similar courses are very welcome!

[Anonymous]

Last summer was DD's first experience so it was online. It is intense, and there is homework, so if your child is motivated it's fantastic. She learned a lot and was very proud at the end of all the work she did and what she learned. The class topics are so interesting and really challenge bright kids who may find every day school not as compelling.

The in-person unfortunately doesn't work for us, but DD has already said she wants to do an online course again this summer.

[Anonymous]

No. They are not worth the money. Not even close. I would find other, more affordably priced, camps for the summer.

[Anonymous]

We did one for our DD 2 summers ago. Totally worth it. DD - who is quirky and shy and very nerdy in other ways - has struggled with long-lasting friendships (she just does not ahve the social antenna to keep up with the others). The CTY camp allowed her to meet like-minded kids. Throughout the pandemic when there was no in-person school - she and a camp bestie kept each other busy with book recommendations and other similar stuff. The camp was good - a great experience for our DD in living away from home. It did a lot to her confidence and she knows there are many of her ilk out there in the world. She will go again this summer even though she is now a high-schooler

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did one for our DD 2 summers ago. Totally worth it. DD - who is quirky and shy and very nerdy in other ways - has struggled with long-lasting friendships (she just does not ahve the social antenna to keep up with the others). The CTY camp allowed her to meet like-minded kids. Throughout the pandemic when there was no in-person school - she and a camp bestie kept each other busy with book recommendations and other similar stuff. The camp was good - a great experience for our DD in living away from home. It did a lot to her confidence and she knows there are many of her ilk out there in the world. She will go again this summer even though she is now a high-schooler

There was no CTY in person camps 2 summers ago. They were cancelled because of COVID.

[Anonymous]

Hated it when I was a kid. Long time ago though!

[Anonymous]

This? https://cty.jhu.edu/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We did one for our DD 2 summers ago. Totally worth it. DD - who is quirky and shy and very nerdy in other ways - has struggled with long-lasting friendships (she just does not ahve the social antenna to keep up with the others). The CTY camp allowed her to meet like-minded kids. Throughout the pandemic when there was no in-person school - she and a camp bestie kept each other busy with book recommendations and other similar stuff. The camp was good - a great experience for our DD in living away from home. It did a lot to her confidence and she knows there are many of her ilk out there in the world. She will go again this summer even though she is now a high-schooler

There was no CTY in person camps 2 summers ago. They were cancelled because of COVID.

ok - was three summers back then. Happy?

[Anonymous]

no, not worth it unless you have a lot of money saved up for college already.

[Anonymous]

For middle school - maybe, depends on the child. For high school - no.

[Anonymous]

I think absolutely worth it if you have the right type of kid for it and can afford it. I went years ago and was a counselor, and I sent my son. It offers a peer group for kids who might have a hard time finding that peer group at their regular school/community. The classes are a lot of work, but for kids who crave the challenge, they're very interesting and mind-expanding. CTY was pretty life changing for me as a kid.

[Anonymous]

This is where UVA's SEP fit so perfectly - a very enriching experience in a sleep-a-way environment, at a reasonable price point. Unfortunately, it went virtual 2020, 2021 and is cancelled altogether for this summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think absolutely worth it if you have the right type of kid for it and can afford it. I went years ago and was a counselor, and I sent my son. It offers a peer group for kids who might have a hard time finding that peer group at their regular school/community. The classes are a lot of work, but for kids who crave the challenge, they're very interesting and mind-expanding. CTY was pretty life changing for me as a kid.

Just adding on -- my experience is with the 7th-9th grade programs, and I know less about the other programs. If you live in the DC area and have access to lots of interesting camps and programs locally, you may find an alternative that suits her just as well. I grew up in a rural area so the options locally were slim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is where UVA's SEP fit so perfectly - a very enriching experience in a sleep-a-way environment, at a reasonable price point. Unfortunately, it went virtual 2020, 2021 and is cancelled altogether for this summer.

I found the 2022 cancellation so disappointing and frustrating. My daughter did the virtual program last year; they seemed appreciative of parents supporting the program; and this year they cancel altogether. UVA should do better.