Steps and Requirements
Epsilon Camp 2026 will likely take place in the second half of July 2026. Applications will open on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
Families who are interested in Epsilon Camp 2026 should fill out an Admissions Inquiry Form to be put on our interest list. We will contact you in the Fall when we open admissions for Camp 2026. Please refer to the instructions below for an overview of our general timelines and requirements.
Entry to our summer program is for students who will be between 7 to 10 years old by the start of camp, which is in late July.
Applications for Epsilon Camp 2026 will open on Saturday, November 1, 2025. The priority deadline for applications is Thursday, January 15, 2026. All applications submitted by this date will be reviewed in the first round. Families can expect to receive a decision (acceptance, deferral, or decline) by mid-February 2026. The final deadline to submit a new application is Saturday, February 28, 2026. This is the last opportunity to be considered for Epsilon Camp 2026. Decisions from this second round will be released in late March 2026.
Please submit an Admissions Inquiry Form to start the application process for Epsilon Camp 2026. As an overview, we have detailed our required application materials below:
Epsilon Camp Diagnostic Assessment
Students will complete the Diagnostic Assessments (DA) at home and upload scanned responses through the application form. The Diagnostic Assessments assess computational skills and a familiarity with mathematical concepts necessary to perform well at camp for that age group. Please see our Skills Prerequisites for more details. Your child should be able to engage with much of the material on the assessment, but perfection is not required.
Epsilon Camp Exploration Problems
Like the Diagnostic Assessment, applicants will complete Exploration Problems (EP). These are open-ended problems designed to scale in difficulty and reveal a student’s mathematical reasoning. The goal is not to finish every problem, but to demonstrate depth of thought. In addition to the written work, applicants are asked to record and share a five-minute video in which the student explains one Exploration Problem they especially enjoyed. In this video, the student should talk about what drew them to that problem, how they approached it, and how they thought about its solution. This is an opportunity for students to share their thinking in their own words. There’s no need for a formal presentation.
References
We also ask for two references:
A mathematical reference – someone who has interacted with the student in a math learning setting. This could be a math teacher, math circle leader, math enrichment instructor, summer program faculty member, or anyone who has seen the student engage with mathematics in depth. The reference should know the student’s mathematical abilities and approach to problem-solving. Families should inform this person that they are being listed as a reference. We may contact them with a phone call with some informal questions.
A non-mathematical reference – someone who knows the student in a group academic setting, such as a classroom or other structured instructional environment, and can speak to the student’s social development, behavior, and interaction with peers in that context. This person is not being asked to evaluate the student’s mathematical performance, but rather to provide insight into their behavioral fit, emotional maturity, and ability to learn in a group setting. For students enrolled in school, a current or recent homeroom or classroom teacher is strongly preferred. Family members may not serve as references. If the student is homeschooled, a teacher or coach from an extracurricular activity may be listed for this purpose. Families will be asked to send a short Google Form link to this non-mathematical reference and confirm that the form has been sent. Please inform the reference of our application deadline so they can respond in a timely manner.
IQ Test
As part of the application, we ask families to submit a comprehensive cognitive assessment report, commonly referred to as an IQ test report. This report must be a full psychological evaluation, not just a table of scores or summary sheet, completed by a licensed psychologist or a certified school psychologist.
We accept full reports from a variety of widely recognized instruments, including but not limited to:
WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition) – Standard score of 145+ on the General Ability Index (GAI), Expanded General Ability Index (EGAI), Nonverbal Index (NVI), Expanded Fluid Index (EFI), or Full Scale (FSIQ). Alternatively, at least two of the following composite scores may qualify: VSI, FRI, QRI
Stanford-Binet 5 (SB5) – Standard score of 145+ on the Nonverbal or Full Scale composite
Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities (WJ-IV) – Standard score of 145+ on the General Intellectual Ability (GIA) composite
Differential Ability Scales-II (DAS-II) – Standard score of 145+ on General Conceptual Ability or Nonverbal Reasoning
If you have questions about other cognitive assessments not listed here, or if your child has completed testing but the report is unclear, you are welcome to email admissions@epsiloncamp.org for guidance.
Don’t have an IQ test? You can still apply!
We understand that not all families have access to formal IQ testing at the time of application. If you do not have an IQ test report, we still encourage you to apply. We may offer provisional admission with the understanding that IQ testing will be completed afterward.
To be considered for provisional admission without an IQ score, you must submit your application by the priority deadline of January 15, 2026. Next steps:
Financial aid applicants may be eligible to receive a fully funded virtual IQ test through Epsilon Camp after receiving provisional admission. Please note that any Epsilon-facilitated testing can only be considered after a provisional decision has been made and cannot be arranged in advance.
Non-financial aid applicants who do not yet have an IQ test should make an effort to obtain one as soon as possible, even after submitting the application. If a provisional admission is offered, we expect families to pursue formal testing promptly. If there are extenuating circumstances that make it difficult to access a comprehensive IQ test, please contact our Admissions Director at hui@epsiloncamp.org to discuss your situation.
If you have any questions about whether your testing qualifies or if your situation is unusual, feel free to email us, and we can help guide you on next steps.
Parent/Guardian Questionnaire
Lastly, parents or guardians will complete a questionnaire sharing background about the student’s educational journey, interests, and goal for the camp.
Please also be aware of the following additional requirements which will be verified at the time of registration:
Health Insurance
We require proof of health insurance that fully covers urgent and emergency care at medical facilities in the area local to Epsilon Camp's host institution for the duration of camp. For international families, temporary US insurance must be obtained.
Childhood Immunizations
Proof of childhood immunizations against communicable diseases is required for all minors under the age of 18 (both campers and family members attending camp).
Registration
Registration and deposit information will be included with admission notification for admitted students. Registration and deposit payment are due within 14 days of admission notification. Space cannot be held without a deposit.
Contact Information
We look forward to hearing from you and would be delighted to answer any questions you may have about Epsilon Camp and the application process. We recognize that applying to and attending Epsilon Camp is a big investment in time and resources. We are dedicated to assisting parents in determining if the camp is the right fit for their child.