GER2I Youth Programs
Summer Residential
Every summer, for over 45 years, GER2I has engaged gifted, creative, and talented students from across the country and around the world in residential camps designed to stimulate their imaginations and expand their abilities. Fifth through twelfth grade students live in campus residence halls, take challenging courses, and participate in engaging recreational activities.
Registration for Summer 2026 is now open!
Program Overview
What Makes Summer Residential Camps So Great?
Every summer, students like you come to Purdue University and experience programs designed to stimulate their imaginations and expand their abilities. We also offer a variety of recreational activities and a chance for you to get a taste of college life as you live on campus in Purdue’s residence halls.
Here’s what you’ll experience at GER2I Residential Summer Camps:
- Intellectual Challenge – GER2I classes are small, challenging, fast-paced, and interactive.
- Talented and Caring Staff – Our teachers thrive on sharing their knowledge and experience with students.
- Outstanding Facilities – Purdue is a world-class research university, and GER2I students have the use of state-of-the-art laboratories, computing facilities, and a variety of libraries.
- Friendships – GER2I attracts a diverse group of gifted, talented, and creative people from all over the world! You will find friends who share your interests and love of learning.
- Personal Growth – With supervision, guidance, and support from the GER2I staff to help you adapt and thrive, you will live in residence halls, learn in university classrooms and labs, and take advantage of Purdue’s cultural and recreational facilities, just like college students.
- Fun – GER2I camp counselors make time outside of class exciting through activities like a night at the movies, basketball, bowling, scavenger hunts, games and tournaments, trivia, and field trips.
Registration Information
Summer 2026
GER²I will hold the 2026 Summer Residential Camps June 28 – July 25, 2026.
All students must register by completing the online program application. Returning students do not need to submit an essay or qualifying documentation. Simply complete the program application online.
Registration will open on February 2, 2026.
Application Materials for New Students
- The online program application
- A one- to two-page essay or alternative media (such as a video, website, PowerPoint presentation, or art portfolio) statement that addresses your desire and motivation to participate in the Summer Residential program. Use the following questions as guidelines:
- Why did you select the class(es) you have chosen?
- In what ways do you think you will benefit from the program?
- Why do you want an academic and/or artistic challenge?
- If accepted, what will you contribute to the success of the program you attend?
- Please provide ONLY TWO of the following documents:
- Student grade transcript showing a GPA of 3.5/4.0 (B+) in the talent area related to the applicant’s choice of GER2I class(es). Grades may be from the most recent year or cumulative.
- Individual or group intelligence test results with a minimum score of 120. Please submit results from the test company or school.
- National or state achievement or aptitude test results at or above the 90th percentile in a specific area of study. These tests must provide comparison scores and percentile rankings, not percentages correct. Examples include ITBS, I-STEP, CAT, MAT8, Midwest Talent Search, SAT, PSAT, ACT, or PLAN tests. Please submit test reports.
- Recommendation letter from a teacher or mentor in the talent area. This letter must address specific examples of the student’s performance, experiences, and potential in the talent area of the class(es) he or she has selected.
- Documentation of involvement in the talent area. Such documentation can include pictures or scans of awards, certificates, service, or recognition letters documenting involvement.
You will upload the two supporting documents online through the registration website.
Send email to Mercedes Nixon-Palmer or call at 765-494-7210 for registration related questions.
Program Details
No-Show Policy – Students who register for the program but do not attend will be charged the full tuition amount unless we receive a cancellation request in writing two weeks before the start of the camp.
Clothing
- Casual clothes
- Sportswear
- Dress clothes (optional)
- Comfortable sneakers
- Quality socks (7-14 pairs)
- Shower shoes or flip flops (if desired)
- A sweatshirt or light jacket
- Umbrella/rain gear
- Long pants and closed-toe shoes are required for Purdue science lab classes (Attention: Crocs are not considered closed-toe for lab purposes).
- Long swim trunks for males or one-piece swimsuits for females
- Semi-formal attire for GER2I dance
- ** Please bring 1 full week of clothing. Laundry access is not 24/7.
Other Items
- Personal toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, hair comb or brush, hair dryer, etc.)
- Necessary medications in their original labeled containers
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Alarm clock or device with alarm function
- A camera or device with camera function
- Notebook paper, pencils, pens
- Global Gala: We encourage you to share your culture in authentic ways, such as dancing, singing, quoting poetry, crafting, or sharing a special talent/skill or cultural artifacts. As such, you may choose to bring items with you to present (e.g., musical instruments, cultural items, clothing, etc.)
- If you choose to bring a valuable musical instrument for Global Gala, we advise you to leave it with your counselor for safekeeping while not in use.
Do Not Bring
- Bed linens, blanket, towels and washcloths (provided)
- Electronics (drones, video game consoles)
- Water guns, Nerf guns
- Motorized bikes, cars, skateboards or longboards, bicycles, or scooters
- Valuables (e.g. jewelry, portable video games, etc.)
- Computers (provided for class)
- Students may bring cell phones (may be confiscated if used during class or in an inappropriate manner).
- Facilities – Students live in residence halls on the safe, friendly West Lafayette campus of Purdue University. Centrally located between students’ classes, libraries, computing centers, and recreational facilities, the residence halls are fully air-conditioned and easily accessible to students with physical disabilities. For more information, visit the University Residences website.
- Roommates – Each participant will be paired with 1-2 roommates as available. We believe that campers enjoy a richer experience and make new friends more easily when they lodge with someone they have not met before; therefore, roommate requests are NOT accepted unless your child has specific health or emotional needs. Please email geri@purdue.edu if you believe you fit this category.
- Check In/Check Out – Campers will check in at the Honors College, 1101 3rd Street, West Lafayette, IN 47906, between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time, on the Sunday their program begins. Comet campers who commute daily should attend registration and their first class meeting on Sunday evening from 7:00-9:00 PM. On the final Saturday of camp, Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held at the Honors College from 9:00-10:30 AM followed by a closing ceremony. Check out is no later than 11:30 AM on the final Saturday.
- Social Life – An enjoyable social experience is just as important as the academic learning, and the residence hall will be the social hub of GER2I Residential Summer Camp. Lounges and common areas give students places to play music and games, watch movies, share a snack, read a book, or collaborate on projects. Our friendly, experienced counseling staff works hard to create an environment in which all students feel safe, comfortable, and right at home. Students attending over Independence Day, July 4, will have the opportunity to see the local fireworks display.
- GER2I Global Gala and Talent Showcase – GER2I campers come from all over the world and from many different cultures. We encourage you to share your culture with others during the Global Gala. Share a talent by performing a dance or singing a song. Teach a popular game that is played in your country or tell a story. Bring an item from home that represents your culture. Through food, music, dancing, and other cultural activities, promote your culture and heritage and give others a glimpse at what life is like in your community.
- Dining – The award-winning Purdue dining courts offer something for everyone. The dining court serves a varied menu of hot meals, a salad bar stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables, juices and drinks, cereals, and sandwiches. Even picky eaters or those with special dietary needs will have an appetizing variety of healthy foods from which to choose. If your child has special dietary needs, please call GER2I at (765) 494-7243.
- Safety – Key card building access and 24-hour residence hall staff help summer campers feel comfortable and secure. Per Purdue University policy, students will be escorted to and from classes daily. Staff members supervise activities and field trips away from the residence hall and are always available to students who choose to stay at the residence hall during afternoon activities. Students should never leave the residence hall without staff supervision. Unless they are with a staff member, students may not go beyond the academic campus and the small shopping areas near the residence hall.
- Social and Emotional Development – A special feature of our program that sets us apart from other camps is our social-emotional curriculum. Our camp counselors understand the social and emotional needs of the GER2I campers and are trained on student development, cultural sensitivity, and characteristics of children with gifts and talents. Camp counselors facilitate an affective curriculum in a small group format during the program. Helping to build a sense of community, these discussion sessions are an integral component of our camp.
- Medical Care – Medical information and permission for treatment will be collected from participants prior to registration. Parents will be notified of any medical emergency or illness as soon as possible. GER2I provides limited medical insurance that covers most basic costs while students are attending camp, but any additional medical expenses, expenses related to existing conditions, and/or medical services provided outside of camp attendance are the responsibility of the parents or guardians. Campers should bring an adequate supply of prescription medication in the original container to camp. Please do not send your child to camp if he or she is ill. We will accommodate a later check in if needed.
Tuition – The program fees cover room and board, tuition, course materials, class-related field trips, limited medical insurance, and a GER2I T-shirt. The fee does not cover incidental expenses, optional afternoon or weekend activities, or transportation to and from Purdue University. An application fee of $100 per student is due with the application and will be refunded only if the student is not accepted into the program. Tuition rates per session as as follows:
- Commuter: $1250
- Residential: $1495
- Star: $2990
- Pulsar: $2990
Saturday Field Trip – STAR and PULSAR campers may choose to attend an extended field trip on the first Saturday of camp. These visits include tickets to museums, sporting events, or other fun activities locally or in major cities like Chicago or Indianapolis, but location and activity will change from year to year. The additional fee for this activity will be $100 payable upon registration to cover the costs of venue admission and charter bus transportation. Because reservations are made well in advance, students who wish to add this field trip later may not be accommodated. Students who do not wish to attend the extended field trip will participate in activities within the greater West Lafayette area.
Camp Discounts – Four tuition discount programs are available for 5% off the price of tuition. Campers may be eligible for ONE of these discounts in combination with the 5% Early Bird discount (registration by February 17), for a total discount of 10%. All discounts are applied to base tuition, not additional travel or field trip fees. The following discounts do not apply to those on scholarship.
- Purdue Employee Discount – for GER2I campers whose parents or grandparents are employed by Purdue University. (Employee’s Purdue email must be used upon registration.)
- Siblings Discount – for siblings who attend in the same summer.
- Multiple Session Discount – for campers who attend more than one session.
- Refer-a-Friend Discount – for campers who recommend friends attending Summer Residential for the first time. Friend must attend for this to apply. Discount applied to both referring and referred students unless students attended with a group or on scholarship.
Payment – Payment in full is due June 1. Payments can be made via check, money order, VISA, MasterCard, and Discover. No cash will be accepted. We cannot process your application until the application fee of $100 is received. If full payment is not received by June 1, the student’s placement in classes will be removed. After tuition is paid in full, student’s placement in classes will be determined based on availability; original class choices may no longer be available. If full payment is not received by June 15, the student’s full registration will be cancelled.
NOTE: Do not send payment to GER2I. Checks must be sent to the Purdue Conferences office. Please make checks out to “Purdue University” with “GER2I Summer Residential: Child’s Name” in the note and send to:
Purdue Conferences
128 Memorial Mall, STEW G32
Attn: Mercedes Nixon-Palmer
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Late Registrants – Registrations received after June 1 must be paid in full at the time of application. Late registration is strongly discouraged and may not be accepted.
Refunds – Students who withdraw prior to two weeks before the program begins will receive a refund equal to any paid tuition less the $100 application fee. GER2I must receive a written cancellation notice via email for refunds to be processed. No refunds will be given for cancellations made in the two weeks prior to the start of camp.
Financial Assistance – GER2I provides a limited number of partial scholarships to students with financial need. You will find the instructions for how to apply for financial aid within the application. To be considered for financial aid, a student must submit a complete application (including the financial aid section with documentation of financial need) and meet academic eligibility criteria. Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications for financial aid will not be considered before a complete application is submitted and program eligibility is established. Because funds are limited and the demand for financial assistance exceeds our resources, we strongly recommend submitting an application as early as possible. Qualifying for financial aid in a previous program does not guarantee aid in subsequent programs.
By Car – West Lafayette is just off I-65 between Indianapolis and Chicago.
By Plane – Fly into the Indianapolis International Airport. Check with your airline for their policy regarding unaccompanied minors. Shuttle services to Purdue University is offered by Lafayette Limo (765-497-3828) or the Reindeer Shuttle (765-637-5124) for a reasonable cost. If you are flying into an airport other than the Indianapolis International Airport, you will be responsible for making your own transportation arrangements to and from Purdue University. Lafayette Limo, Reindeer Shuttle (see above), and Express Air Coach (765-743-3120) have service from O’Hare Airport in Chicago.
NOTE: GER²I will no longer provide airport transportation. Individual campers and groups must make their own arrangements with Lafayette Limo, Reindeer Shuttle, or Express Air Coach (see above). IMPORTANT: Campers must inform the shuttle driver to be dropped off at the address below at Purdue University. Should a camper be dropped off at a different campus site, please contact GER2I immediately at 765-494-7243 (GER2I office) or 765-430-0437 (Dr. Kristen Seward), and a GER2I staff member will come to your location to pick you up.
Purdue Honors College, North Building (HCRN)
1101 3rd Street
West Lafayette, IN 47906
International Students – International student groups or individual students attending GER2I Summer Residential may be eligible to do so with a B status visa waiver by showing their invitation letter upon entry into the United States. To learn more about this program, or if you are not sure whether your country is eligible for participation, please visit the U.S. Department of State’s U.S. Visas page.
Courses
Course Descriptions
GER2I Summer Residential supports your interests in STEM, Humanities, and beyond. From solving problems through designing and making your own device to exploring how thinking shapes scientific development in courses, there is something for everyone. Explore our course options and find your passion!
Frequently Asked Questions
At the time of registration, you should enroll your child according to his/her current grade level. For example, if your child is in 8th grade in the spring that you register, then you should enroll him/her in the Star program for 7th & 8th graders.
A typical day looks like this:
- 7:00-8:30 AM: Breakfast
- 8:30-11:30 AM: Morning Class Session
- 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM: Lunch
- 1:00 – 4:00 PM: Afternoon Class Session
- 4:00 – 5:00 PM: Small Group Meetings
- 5:00 – 6:00 PM: Dinner
- 6:00 – 7:00 PM: Recreational Activities
- 7:00 – 9:00 PM: Activity Challenges
- 9:00 – 10:00 PM: Free Time
- 10:00 PM: Time to Prepare for Bed
- 10:30 PM: Lights Out
Students have structured activity time in the afternoon and evenings with access to a variety of board games, pool, ping-pong, and sports equipment in addition to Purdue computer labs. Camp counselors also prepare challenge activities, conduct small group discussions, and our always entertaining Global Gala and Talent Show.
Field trip destinations vary each year. In the past, Star and Pulsar students have visited museums and zoos in Chicago and Indianapolis.
Our program employs Summer Residential staff members who care for your student. Of course, Summer Residential instructors take care of students during the morning and afternoon class times. Outside of class, campers are assigned to camp counselors in group of ten or less based on gender. These groups, including the camp counselors, live together on the same residence hall floor. Camp counselors are often undergraduates or graduate students majoring in education, although this is not a requirement for employment. Supervising these counselors are experienced head counselors who also live in the residence hall to direct and advise camp counselors and campers. Head counselors report to one of GER2I’s Summer Residential coordinators who are graduate students in Gifted, Creative, and Talented Studies. Coordinators report to the GER2I youth program manager and the youth program director who is a faculty member in Gifted, Creative, and Talented Studies and the Educational Studies Department in Purdue’s College of Education. As per Purdue University policy, campers are not permitted to leave the residence hall without staff supervision. In all, we maintain a small student to staff ratio so your child’s needs are recognized and met while also taking fun, supervision, and safety very seriously.
Campers are randomly assigned to camp counselors who are the same gender as the campers.
The Purdue University Student Health (PUSH) Center is conveniently located near the residence hall and academic buildings. GER2I provides limited medical insurance for minor accidents or illnesses while students are on campus. We are also fortunate to have first responders from the Purdue Police and Fire Departments on campus who will respond quickly should an emergency occur. In any of these circumstances, you will be contacted as soon as possible.
During the first few days of camp, students might call their parents because either the classes are too hard or they feel out of place socially. To some degree, this is expected, especially when this may be your child’s first time away from home; however, we hope you’ll encourage your child to talk to their teacher, camp counselor, or any GER2I camp staff about their feelings and give us a chance to help with whatever is troubling him/her. When this happens, we have found that things turn around pretty quickly; they find new friends who share their interests, and they become a valued member of the GER2I family.
Your child’s camp counselor can be reached in a non-emergency situation and will likely know why your child hasn’t returned your texts or calls. For more serious situations, we suggest contacting the 24-hour GER2I cell phone (phone number shared at registration) or the main office phone (765-494-7243) during regular business hours. Additional phone numbers will be shared with you and your child at registration, including the numbers for the head counselors, the 24-hour residence hall front desk, the GER2I program manager, and the GER2I youth program director. Please consider that “No news is good news”; in other words, your child isn’t returning your calls because he/she is having so much fun at camp!
Campers will be supervised by camp staff at all times and will remain on campus most of the time. Star and Pulsar students attend a field trip on Saturday, usually to Indianapolis or Chicago. For this trip, students are transported by motor coach with professional drivers. Campers may also leave campus for class field trips or shopping areas close to Purdue’s campus.
Program Partners
C Design Lab
Purdue Research Foundation
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Haviland Scholars
Educational Initiatives Asset Talent Search (India)
Reach Memphis
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
San Juan College
GER2I Advisory Board
Jean and Reuben Peterson
Tri Kappa
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