Students at USD’s gifted camps can ‘Be the Difference!’

Students at USD's gifted camps can 'Be the Difference!' Itâ�?�?s time for gifted middle and high school students to â�?�?be the differenceâ�? at this summerâ�?�?s 25th annual South Dakota Governorâ�?�?s Camp and the 20th annual Ambas-sadors of Excellence program at The University of South Dakota. Designed to challenge South Dakotaâ�?�?s gifted middle and high school students, these camps allow students to study with University faculty in the arts, sciences, and technology, emphasizing creativity and teamwork. The theme for this yearâ�?�?s camps is â�?�?Be the Difference!â�? Open to students entering seventh, eighth and ninth grades in the fall of 2008, the Governorâ�?�?s Camp begins Sunday, July 27 and runs through Friday, Aug. 1. Campers attend classes, participate in team-building and service activities, develop creative challenges, and complete individual and group demonstration projects. New applicants need to provide a recommendation from a school official. The Ambassadors of Excellence program, for students entering 10th, 11th and 12th grades in fall of 2008, begins Monday, July 21 and continues through Friday, Aug. 1. Emphasis for the Ambas-sadors is on creative and performing arts, academics and leadership. Amba-ssadors also work as mentors to their middle school counterparts during the Governorâ�?�?s Camp. Campers can choose from more than 40 different class offerings as well as a variety of eve-ning recreational activities. They also work in teams to complete service related to the camp theme and showcase their projects before the end of the camp. â�?�?We are proud to celebrate the silver anniversary of the South Dakota Governorâ�?�?s Camp and the 20th anniversary of the Ambassadors of Excellence,â�? said Tim Duggan, Ed.D., director of Gifted Programs at USD, who noted that this yearâ�?�?s camps will be among the best ever. Tuition for the Governorâ�?�?s Camp is $375 while tuition for the Ambassadors of Excellence is $475. Included in the tuition fee are housing in USD residence halls, three daily meals, all camp activities and limited insurance. The camp is supported by the South Dakota Department of Education and Gov. Mike Rounds. Many communities and schools help offset the cost of coming to camp through scholarships or financial aid. Interested students should talk to their school counselors, administrators or gifted coordinators for information on financial aid. The South Dakota Gove-rnorâ�?�?s Camp was founded in 1984 by Drs. Bruce Milne and Carole Kasen, and has served more than 4,500 children since that time. For more information or to apply for the 2008 camps, please contact Tim Duggan in the USD School of Education at (312) 576-1434, e-mail Timothy.Du ggan@usd.edu, or visit the camp Web site at www.usd.e du/ed/ci/gifted.