OWjL Program Wraps Up Another Summer of Creativity, Challenge, Fun

June 30, 2003

DELAWARE, OHIO -- The Art and Sport of Boomerangs. Tai Chi. Life on the Farm. Master Printmaking. This summer's 524 OWjL (Ohio Wesleyan University and The Junior League of Columbus) campers enjoyed these unique classes and myriad others during the annual academic camp at OWU for gifted and talented students currently in grades 6-8.

Sponsored by Ohio Wesleyan and the Junior League of Columbus, with support from corporations, foundations, individuals and community groups, the program is divided into three sections, running from the second week through the fourth week of June. This year, the campers, who reside for each week in a residence hall on campus with adult OWjL counselors, represented 131 schools from Delaware, Fairfield and Franklin counties.

"We have calculated that 6,085 campers have attended OWjL camp since the first year -- 23 camps ago," says Susan Paxton, executive director of the program. "Of those, 121 campers have gone on to attend Ohio Wesleyan, with 55 graduating from OWU."

Students who apply for the program must reside in Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Pickaway or Union counties; be currently enrolled in grades 6-8; and have test scores in at least the 95th percentile on standard measures of academic achievement/ability or otherwise have demonstrated exceptional talent, creativity or leadership.

"Our program offers students with special interests and skills a place to learn new ideas, be challenged, and interact with other students with similar abilities," says Paxton.