The Inaugural Twice-Exceptional Summer Academy will be a two-day semi-residential experience that focuses on a variety of skills within academics, social/emotional, and practical living to help prepare students for success in college and a separate schedule covering relevant information for parents/guardians. In addition to sessions, the camp will include team building and social activities. A parent or guardian MUST be able to attend for the entire camp.

About the Program

Program Dates:

  • On-Campus
  • June 13 - June 14, 2023

Student Schedule

Day 1

  • Sessions
  • Stress Management
  • Morning Debrief/Tour Prep
  • Lunch
  • Stanley Art Museum
  • Team Building
  • Academy Combined Social

Day 2

  • Sessions
  • Stress Management
  • Morning Debrief/Tour Prep
  • Lunch
  • Astronomy or Virtual Soldier Workshop

Parent Schedule

Day 1

  • Director Welcome
  • Tour of BHC
  • Overview of Academy for Twice-Exceptionality
  • Lunch
  • Old Capitol Tour
  • Networking Session
  • Academy Combined Social

Day 2

  • Student Wellness or INI
  • Stanley Art Museum
  • Lunch
  • Campus Tour Cafe
  • Accommodations in College

TBA

There is almost no other place where you will find people so like each other, yet so diverse and different. The results are long-lasting friendships.

Riley DeJohn - Urbandale, IA

How to Apply

Application Process

All application materials must be submitted online. Students MUST be currently in grade 9 or 10 to apply (for this year, those in grade 11 also will be considered).

Here’s how to apply: 

  • Click on the "Apply Now" button found on the website.
  • The essay questions should be limited to a maximum 300 words.
  • The Belin-Blank Center will contact individuals regarding acceptance in May 2023.

Selection

Faculty and staff from the University of Iowa will evaluate completed applications. For this "pilot" year, preference will be given to students in 10th grade.

Ready to Apply?

Applications open February 15.

After You're Accepted

You can look forward to a fun and enriching summer! Here you can find answers to all the pressing questions you may have while making your plans to join us.

Cost & Financial Aid

On-Campus Cost

The fee for the Summer Academy for Twice-Exceptionality is $200. This covers all program sessions (students and adults), materials, snacks for students, lunches for students, evening social, admission to all regularly scheduled activities, and the student t-shirt.

The program fee does not include transportation to and from the University of Iowa, hotel accommodations, or incidental expenses, such as souvenirs. 

Payment Options

  • Pay the entire amount on a credit card.
  • Pay in two equal installments using a credit card. Please contact the Belin-Blank Center to set this up.

Financial Aid

The Belin-Blank center does NOT want cost to be a barrier for our programming. Please contact the Belin-Blank Center to discuss the possibility of scholarships.

Cancellation Policy

If you must cancel, email randolph-lange@uiowa.edu as soon as possible to decline your acceptance, so a student on the waiting list may attend.

There is a $25 cancellation fee. Cancellations after June 1 cannot be refunded.

Program Details

Student Goals

  • Address the connection between self-care and success in college
  • Attain social communication skills
  • Explore working university academic settings (e.g., labs, studios)
  • Increase familiarity with the University of Iowa and its resources
  • Introduce the concept of career planning
  • Provide skill strategies that align with success in college

Morning Sessions

  • Career Planning 100
"What are our strengths and challenges? How do we use them to help in our career planning? We will learn how to identify our strengths, goals, and values, as well as barriers that come up when planning our careers. We will play a short game and view how others also encounter barriers before getting into their career."
  • Personal Strengths
Course description coming soon
  • Self-Advocacy
Self-advocacy includes disclosing information about your needs to a trusted person and speaking up to gain access to relevant supports. We will discuss when to self-disclose and to whom. We will also consider how to match your needs to relevant supports and determine how best to convey information about needed supports to maximize responsiveness from teachers and employers.
  • Self-Care & College Success
During the session, we will discuss the importance of self-care and its relationship to college success. We will explore the meaning of self-care and, specifically, its focus on preventing the buildup of stress. We will then cover examples of self-care and discuss how the methods of self-care can vary for each person.
  • Social Communication
Social communication skills are important in the development of relationships with teachers and peers. They may be important for your success, wellbeing, and happiness. You will learn how to identify peers with whom you might develop friendship, how to enter and exit conversations, how to have good back-and-forth conversations, and pitfalls to avoid when interacting with others. Get ready to share about topics you think are interesting and maybe find a friend!
  • Stress Management
Stress - What is it? We will learn about what stress is, how to recognize it, and how it affects our bodies. We will explore what makes stress different from our other emotions. We will discuss why it is important to manage stress.
  • Conflict Management
Conflict is one of the hardest experiences we face in everyday life. While sometimes we win, it might come at a cost with our relationship. Learn now to collaborate to manage and resolve conflicts as a better solution than compromising or accommodating in one.

PLEASE NOTE: The p.m. sessions will include tours and visits to University of Iowa labs. Participants will receive detailed schedules during check-in (the first day of the Summer Academy).

Contact Us