Feel Good Friday: WKU’s 42nd VAMPY summer camp provides enhanced education for students

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – This weekend concludes Western Kentucky University’s 42nd Verbally and Mathematically Precocious Youth Camp, also known as VAMPY.

VAMPY started in 1984 and is an opportunity for students from the 7th to 10th grade to challenge themselves in harder and more specific courses while also experiencing the social activities of a camp. The camp consists of courses ranging from humanities to science. Some of the courses included are chemistry, pop culture and presidential politics. Each camper picks one of these topics and takes centered classes on it for all three weeks of the camp.

VAMPY camp counselor Addy Dunn emphasizes the importance of fun and challenging learning.

“VAMPY is encouraging students to experience the importance and fun of learning. It’s no phones, it’s activities that they wouldn’t have done at home. It’s creativity, and it’s all sorts of opportunities that they’re going to experience here,” Says Dunn.

The classes include lectures, labs, and interactive learning all to help campers focus and understand the topic of their choice. Along with the classes that the campers will take, they still have the classic camp activities such as camp Olympics and a talent show. Through the activities and courses, the campers meet lifelong friends.

“It’s gone well, I’ve learned, like, so much stuff way more than I thought I would have. And, not only just the academics part of this, but also like the social aspect I’ve made so many friends here that like, like I was expecting to only like, you know, make 2 or 3 people that I talk to. But, I mean, just about everyone at this camp, you know, I talk to you and I know. So it’s been really fun.” Says VAMPY camper Wrigley Watson.

VAMPY is an overnight camp that gives the campers more time to make friendships and to focus on their courses. It gives students from Kentucky and surrounding areas to meet people who have similar specific interests and passions for learning.

The camp will conclude on July 11th. To apply for VAMPY, students must have a certain ACT or SAT score and must apply at www.wku.edu/gifted/vampy.