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Frequently Asked Questions about Davidson Summer Programs

Application

When are the 2025 Davidson Summer Programs sessions?

Session One: Sunday, June 15 through Thursday, June 19.

Session Two: Monday, June 23 through Friday, June 27.

Session Three: Sunday, July 6 through Thursday, July 10.

Session Four: Monday, July 14 through Friday, July 18.

Why do the sessions have different themes?

Each DSP session has a unique theme to help create an engaging and immersive summer camp experience. Each session will have academic and evening activities that are influenced by that week's theme.

The academic component of Sessions One & Three will cover comparable topics while still letting their unique theme's shine through. Likewise, Session Two & Four's academics will mirror each other while still allowing space for their unique theme!

How does the application process work?

All Davidson Summer Program session applications will open for submissions on December 2, 2024, and closes on January 17, 2025. Submit a separate application for each Young Scholar interested in attending.

Our staff will review the completed applications on a rolling basis. Families will be contacted within two weeks of their application completion date for notification on program acceptance and session specifics. For full details regarding the application process, please see the Admissions page.

Who is eligible to apply?

Session One and Session Three participants must be:

Session Two and Four participants must be:

*Last application cycle to apply for Young Scholars program to be eligible for DSP closes on November 1.

Is there a waitlist available?

In the event that the program reaches capacity, eligible applicants will be placed on a waitlist. If space becomes available, we will contact the next person on the waitlist immediately.

How can siblings apply for Davidson Summer Programs?

If you have multiple Young Scholars applying for DSP, please keep in mind separate application forms must be submitted individually for each applicant.

Will there be a day-camper option for non-residential particpants?

We can only accommodate participants for the residential option, as we are not in a position to have participants attend during the day and then leave for the evenings to stay off campus. We understand not all Young Scholars will be ready for a five-day residential program, and we hope to accommodate these participants in later years when they are ready to attend a residential summer experience.

Should my Young Scholar apply if they have a medical condition requiring specific care? What about mental health? 

If your Young Scholar has a medical or mental health concern, please contact us before applying to discuss program eligibility and specific support we may be able to offer. We want to be as prepared as possible to welcome participants and make their stay with us safe, comfortable and of course, fun! We find that the more honest and detailed you can be with our staff ahead of time, the better the participant's time at camp will be. We want to work with you to the best of our ability to ensure your participant is set up for success and appropriate support while in our care. 

Costs and Financial Assistance

What does it cost to attend Davidson Summer Programs?

Tuition and fees cover a registration deposit, room & board (including linens), program materials and all planned activities. Transportation to and from the program is not covered. 

What is your refund policy?

For full details on refund policies, please visit the Tuition and Fees page.

What if my participant needs to cancel due to extenuating circumstances?

We understand that participants may not be able to attend due to unanticipated hardships. A partial refund may be awarded after the final fee deadline to families who cannot attend Davidson Summer Programs due to extenuating circumstances. These include:

  • Severe unexpected medical condition
  • Death in the immediate/nuclear family
  • Severe unexpected financial hardship

The decision to grant a partial refund is under the discretion of the Davidson Institute and any refunds will be less than any expenses already incurred in the registration and preparation process. A refund request may be asked for in writing along with any supporting documentation, if needed.

Is financial assistance available for those who demonstrate need?

The Davidson Institute provides financial assistance (FA) to families who demonstrate financial need for DSP. FA may be available to help defer a portion of program fees and/or transportation expenses. Please keep in mind that the Davidson Institute has seen an increase in the number of families applying and qualifying for FA; therefore, we must prioritize the distribution of funds we have available to assist families. FA awards never cover 100% of any expense. See additional details on Tuition and Fees page.

Student Life

Where will the academic sessions take place?

Sessions will take place on the University of Nevada, Reno campus either in the Davidson Academy building or a nearby campus building, which are usually in close-proximity to the program's on-campus housing accommodations.

Will participants receive grades or progress reports for the academic component of camp?

Sessions One and Three:

The "exploration-style" academic sessions serve as a chance for participants to explore new subjects and allow intellectual engagement with like-minded peers. No assessments or grading is done.

Sessions Two and Four:

The "seminar-style" academic sessions serves as a chance for participants to dive deep into a single subject and allow intellectual engagement with like-minded peers, while receiving broad feedback from a Davidson instructor. No grades or credit will be assigned.

Where will the participants reside?

Each participant will be paired with one or two roommates of the same gender identification and housed in a residential dormitory on the campus of University of Nevada, Reno. A small group of participants will be paired with one Program Assistant to create a close-knit community and provide 24-hour supervision.

Are special dietary meals provided?

Yes! The university dining facility is experienced at accommodating special dietary needs. We work closely with the university dining staff to create a food allergy action plan to determine what accommodations can be made for specific participant needs.

Each year, participants who have food allergies or special diets successfully attend DSP; however, we cannot guarantee an allergy-free environment given that the program takes place in many shared spaces and in an uncontrolled environment. We welcome you to contact us to discuss specific concerns and determine if DSP is a good fit based on the participant's level of comfort and needs.

What kind of activities will take place?

Academic field trips around the University of Nevada, Reno campus vary each year and may include visits to the seismology lab, mineral museum, Planetarium, and the anatomy lab. Social activities will include arts and crafts, game night, movie night, and more!

When will I find out who my roommate is? Can I make a roommate request?

Participants will learn who their roommate is on arrival day. They will have the chance to fill out a dorm life survey before the program to help our team match participants most appropriately. There is also a roommate request form to complete should participants have a specific person they'd like to room with. We will do our best to accommodate roommate requests, but cannot guarantee placement.

General

Will family members be able to visit participants during the program?

Davidson Summer Programs is intended to offer participants a short-term residential summer experience. Each participant is a vital part of an academic learning team and social community. As such, visits from family can increase feelings of missing home and significantly reduce the quality of the experience for all participants. We understand not all families may be ready for a sleep-away experience, and thus we encourage those families to hold off on applying until they are prepared to be away from one another for the duration of the program.

How can I help prepare my Young Scholar for a residential program?

  • Practice sleeping away from home
  • Review the DSP website and/or Handbook together as a family, so your participant knows what to anticipate.
  • Discuss feelings of missing home with your child, letting them know it is normal. Talk through strategies that help relieve missing home feelings, such as:
    • Writing letters or taking pictures to be shared when they are back home
    • Talking to a friend or staff member
  • Remember to stay positive! The more encouraging you can be with your participant before camp, the more ready they will be.
  • Many parents have highly recommended the book Homesick and Happy by Michael Thompson, PhD.
  • Other great tips for preparing can be found on the American Camp Association website:

What is your policy on electronic devices?

In recent years, the widespread use of electronic devices and other technology has raised important safety and confidentiality issues. Since the functions provided by electronic devices, specifically cell phones, are not relevant to the program, Davidson Summer Programs is an electronic device free program. Participants may not have or use cell phones, smart phones, AirTags, or other devices capable of voice and/or text communication during the program. The only exception to this policy is a camera and/or music playing device without voice, text or internet capabilities.

If a participant must bring such a device in order to communicate with their parent(s) during travel to and from the program, the device will be turned off upon arrival and stored in a secure area only accessible by program staff. Parents will be provided contact information to connect with program staff should an emergency arise in which staff will facilitate communication between parents and participants.

Is participation in Davidson Summer Programs tax-deductible?

No, by IRS definition, the Davidson Institute is not an eligible educational institution and cannot issue a 1098-T. However, keep in mind that the Davidson Institute cannot and does not issue tax advice; please contact your tax advisor for further consultation.