Apply to Be a Camper

OWL Camp 2026 Dates: 

Overnight Camp for students in grades 6, 7, & 8:

Week 1 - June 7 to 11, 2026 - students in grades 6 and 7 at time of application
Week 2 - June 14 to 18, 2026 - students in grades 7 and 8 at time of application
Week 3 - June 21 to 25, 2026 - students in grades 6 and 7 at time of application

Day Camp for students in grades 5, & 6:

Week 4 - June 29 to July 2, 2026 - students in grades 5 and 6 at time of application
Week 5 - July 6 to July 9, 2026 - students in grades 5 and 6 at time of application

If you have any questions, please email us at owl@owu.edu.

Greetings from OWL, where plans are underway for our 44th summer camp in 2026! If you have not had previous experience with OWL, we hope you will read the information on this website and consider our program in planning your summer schedule. If you have been an OWL camper or parent in the past, we welcome you back! OWL is designed to meet the intellectual, social, and emotional needs of gifted and talented middle school students in Ohio. It offers a place for students to learn new ideas, be challenged, and interact with others who have similar abilities.

The academic program of OWL features:

• Curriculum with classes in humanities, creative arts, mathematics, science, logic, and computers
• Cultural, recreational, and social activities
• 24-hour supervision by adult counselors
• Overnight Camp for qualified current (at time of application) 6th, 7th, and 8th grades
• Day Camp for qualified current (at time of application) 5th, and 6th grade students
• Selection is based on academic guidelines and/or creativity, talent, leadership

Tuition for our 2026 camp is $820 for overnight camp and $425 for day camp. These fees cover the entire cost of the program. Financial assistance is available on the Fees & Scholarships page.

The link to begin the application process is below. A complete application includes: Parent/Guardian Form, Student Information Form, Student Application and Essay, two Teacher Recommendations, and a Student Academic Record (completed by a school gifted coordinator, guidance counselor, or principal). The application deadline is January 31, 2026. We urge you to be prompt in completing the applications as the number of students who apply to OWL Camp exceeds available space. 

Important Things to Know

• The applicant's parent begins the application process.
• It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian and the applicant to ensure that all forms are received by the deadline. This can be monitored in the OWL Camp portal.
• Incomplete applications will not be processed.
• No faxed, emailed, or mailed applications can be accepted.
• Do not send or submit money with the application.
• Be considerate of school personnel and request recommendations well in advance of deadlines.
• Complete your application on time or early. The number of students who apply exceeds the available spaces and late applications will be added to the wait list.

8th Grade Applicants Only: Essay Prompt Information for 2026

New for 2026 applications, essays will only be required from applicants who are currently in 8th grade at the time of application. This change reflects the volume of applications we receive and helps streamline our review process, while continuing to support thoughtful engagement from our oldest applicants.  If you are applying from a different grade level, no essay is needed.

If your child is currently in 8th grade, we ask that they choose one of the prompts below and write an essay between 400–600 words. Their essay should include an introduction, body paragraph(s), and a conclusion. We're looking for original thinking, clear organization, and careful attention to spelling, punctuation, and grammar. These elements help us understand each applicant's voice and perspective. You can view the scoring rubric used by the OWL Application Committee [here].

Essay Prompt Question Options:

Deadlines

• Application - Camper applications open on December 1st, and must be submitted online no later than January 31st.
• Financial Aid - If you are applying for financial aid, you must submit a completed financial aid application with a copy of the required supporting documentation before March 1st. You may be applying for financial aid BEFORE you know if your child has been accepted.

Start a New OWL Camper Application

• Beginning December 1st, parents/guardians can initiate the application process at this link/portal. 
• Need help applying? Watch our 2026 OWL Application video tutorial below—or click here for a step-by-step PDF guide.