What's your idea of a good summer experience for a gifted child? Theater camp? Going on a deep sea fishing expedition? Hanging out at the beach? Maybe a little of each of these things?

Not much interesting this year. DS and I are going to a conference, and ds is taking a summer class (which he wouldn't need if he had LISTENED TO HIS MOTHER in the fall...) So, probably just pick stuff from the garden, and he will likely go on the usual scout camping trips when they fit the schedule. (I'm not sure if the 50 miler the troop planned for this year will interfere with the class or not -- in which case, he will have to miss it. But I hope it is late enough in the year that it doesn't. He enjoyed it last time the troop did that.)

But in general, what is good for a gifted child? I think that depends on the child! A mix of active outside things, maybe exploring a different side of themselves, whatever they like.

50 miles! Wow- that's a LONG hike. We're still waiting for the 5 mile to get arranged so ds can finish his 2nd class requirements.

I agree with your last comment. There really isn't any one option that is "best" for all gifted kids.

Well, the 50-miler is a week long hike. Last time (a few years ago), they only had one really long day, and that wasn't intended, but just worked out that way. It was trickier then than it would be now, too -- they recommend the backpacks not be more than 30% of their body weight, and at the time, he was a 94 (iirc) pound puny guy. Now he's put on height and a bunch more weight (last I knew, he was in the 140's), so 30% is much easier. Some of the equipment is the same weight, whether the guy carrying it is 90 lbs or 200lbs. BTW, I'm not sure if the 50 miler is open to below 1st class. They have an alternate campout for the rest, at a regular scout camp, rather than in the wilderness.