2010 marks the 33rd year of SEP serving children and youth who are gifted, talented, and/or creative in a supportive academic and social setting. Designed for students entering 5th grade through 10th grade, this residential program offers high interest, hands-on, brains-on courses developed by specialists in gifted education and/or in specialized content areas. On the day they arrive, students select courses for their two week session. Courses meet daily during four 75 minute periods. After classes are done for the day participants choose a variety of "options" varying from active sports and recreation, craft activities and time to visit with new and old friends. Students come to SEP from around 25 states, provinces and foreign countries. Dorm counselors who are college age and older supervise students during all hours that the students are not in class.

The spectrum of courses may include some of the following:

• Art – Express your creativity by exploring media such as photography, clay, paint.


• Computers and Technology – Work with a variety of multimedia technology including digital imaging and web page design.


• Creative Writing – From poetry to short stories, cartoon captions and far-out fairy tales, opportunities for creative writing will be offered.


• Cultures – Classes are designed to explore the culture and language of several countries.


• Debate – Learn techniques that can transform your persuasive abilities.


• Drama – Express your acting talents in classic, avant-garde, and musical theater forms. Final performances are presented at the SEP Showcase on the last afternoon of the program.


• Dance – A variety of traditional and contemporary dance forms are introduced.


• History – Discuss major historical events and follow the effects that form a chain to current events.


• Mathematics – Discover math’s many facets from fractals and chaos, to fuzzy logic, geometry, statistics, and more!


• Music: Band/Orchestra/Choir – Bring your musical instrument and/or your voice and join other SEPers in small or large group ensembles.


• Science – Dissection, Chemistry, environmental concerns, and physics are among the science topics.