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Yunasa Quotes

“The campers are very close and tightly knit. Everyone is encouraged to push their limits and helped by everyone else. Even after only one week, we can't bear to leave.” – Yunasa counselor-in-training
“The most valuable thing I gained [from Yunasa] was the social support, the knowledge that I don't have to conform and I can be myself.” – Yunasa camper
“Yunasa always seems like less of a camp and more of a family reunion, everybody knows and loves everybody else.” – Yunasa camper
“Being a counselor-in-training was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Yunasa is where I found myself.” – Yunasa camper
“We love Yunasa and think it serves a tremendous need for gifted kids, essential for us.” – Yunasa parent
“Our experience with Yunasa has been very different with each child, but when I have asked them to compare it to other opportunities such as a gifted conference or a family gathering of gifted kids, they express that there is an underlying feeling of togetherness—parts of a whole. In our world of labels and categories that tear us down and that these kids exist in, Yunasa in one place to feel built back up, complete, and part of the whole.“ – Yunasa parent

Yunasa

Overview

Yunasa, the Lakota word meaning balance, is a weeklong camp for highly gifted youth. The mission of Yunasa is to teach campers techniques and skills for integrating the intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual and physical aspects of their lives. Yunasa is devoted to reminding bright young people that they are more than just intellect. The Institute for Educational Advancement’s (IEA) trained staff provide campers with a physically and emotionally safe environment where each camper gains new confidence and skills and is challenged to achieve their personal best while making new friends and having fun.

Yunasa campers are highly gifted individuals between the ages of 10 and 14 who are performing at the middle school level or above, are ready to explore the natural environment, gain new confidence and skills, meet new friends, and be challenged to achieve their personal best.

Yunasa will take place from July 25 to August 1, 2010 at Camp Copneconic in Fenton, Michigan.

Camp Copneconic provides the ideal setting for Yunasa. It is an all-inclusive camp, complete with swimming, canoeing, campfires, archery, ropes courses, arts and crafts and much more. In addition to its wide variety of traditional camp activities, Camp Copneconic offers a peaceful lakeside setting that serves as the perfect backdrop for guided imagery sessions and small group workshops led by Yunasa's esteemed faculty.

Faculty

In addition to the camp coordinators and camp counselors, Yunasa faculty includes IEA's Senior Fellows, all of whom are nationally recognized experts in the field of gifted education.

Patricia Gatto-Walden, Ph.D.

Elizabeth Meckstroth, M.S.W.

Michael M. Piechowski, Ph.D.

Elizabeth D. Jones, M.A.

Stephanie Tolan, M.A.

Dan Tichenor, M.A.

Program Cost

The tuition for those who apply before April 20, 2010 is $1,200. The tuition for those applying after April 20, 2010 is $1,300. This includes housing, food, activity fees, and supplies. There is a $50 non-refundable application fee that will be applied to the cost of tuition. Additional fees for unaccompanied minor and Detroit airport pickups may apply.

Refer a friend to any 2010 IEA program and receive a $25 discount off the cost of your Yunasa tuition when he/she attends! (One referral discount per camper; referred student must identify you as the referrer.)

A limited number of scholarships are available. For more information, please email the Program Coordinator, and indicate "Yunasa Scholarship Inquiry" in the subject line.

Parent Participation

Participation in Yunasa also includes an opportunity for parents to gather with Yunasa faculty members to discuss the unique challenges of raising a gifted child and to develop the skills necessary to meet his or her needs.

Application Information

Campers can apply by downloading and submitting the 2010 Camper Application, which is composed of the following:

  • Applicant information
  • Essay-style questions
  • Academic history (includes GPA or progress report, standardized test scores, etc.)
  • Letters of support
  • Signatures

Click here to download the 2010 New Camper Application

Click here to download the 2010 Returning Camper Application

Click here to download the 2010 Yunasa Brochure.

If you would like to receive a Yunasa Brochure and Camper Application by mail, please email the Program Coordinator.

A $50 non-refundable application fee must also be submitted with the camper application in the form of a check or money order made payable to Institute for Educational Advancement. Please do NOT send cash. If the applicant enrolls in the program, this fee will be applied to the tuition.

Completed camper applications should be mailed along with the $50 non-refundable application fee to:

Institute for Educational Advancement - Yunasa
625 Fair Oaks Avenue, Suite 285
South Pasadena, CA 91030

Early Application Deadline - April 20, 2010 (save $100 on tuition)

Final Application Deadline - June 5, 2010