Darien’s John and Mary M. joined 63 other gifted kids from across the country on Sunday for Yunasa, a week-long camp from the Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA) led by experts in the field of gifted education. Yunasa, from the Lakota word for “balance,” is designed to remind campers that they are more than just intellect.
IEA’s pioneering Yunasa and Yunasa West summer camps unite highly able youngsters with experts in the social and emotional development of gifted children. Campers explore and grow the intellectual, spiritual, emotional, social and physical aspects of their lives. They have fun while learning to find balance in their high-functioning lives.
John and Mary will participate in small group workshops throughout the week to learn to balance all aspects of their lives. Workshop topics include Rube Goldberg Machines, Myers-Briggs, music appreciation, mindfulness, intensities and spiritual giftedness. They will also partake in traditional camp activities like swimming, arts and crafts and ropes courses.
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Yunasa – in its 11th year – is being held from July 22 to July 29 at partner camp YMCA Camp Copneconic. IEA also added a second location – Sedalia, Colo. – this year. The camp, Yunasa West, ran from June 10 to June 17.
Since 1998, IEA has dedicated its organizational mission to working with the whole child, developing and nurturing gifted children ages 2 to 18. IEA provides customized programs that match each student’s unique gifts and talents with the most appropriate mentors, schools, opportunities and environments to maximize intellectual and personal development.
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Yunasa is led by IEA President Elizabeth Jones and Fellows Patricia Gatto-Walden, Michael Piechowski, Stephanie Tolan, Shelagh Gallagher and Dan Tichenor. These Fellows are eminent experts in the field of gifted education.
For more information about IEA and Yunasa, visit www.educationaladvancement.org.
Editor's note: This announcement originally was posted on Tuesday. The time stamp has been changed for layout purposes on the Home page of Darien Patch.
