Admission Criteria

Epsilon Camp is looking for clear and convincing evidence of personal maturity, excitement in learning mathematics, mathematical background knowledge, and adequate motor skills that together provide a good fit for a challenging, very advanced intensive summer learning experience. The goal of the eligibility criteria is to ensure that all the campers thrive and learn together, enjoying a learning experience unlike any other.

Epsilon Camp is designed to meet the abilities and needs of youngsters who are at the highest levels of quantitative reasoning and mathematical learning ability. Our goal is to introduce concepts, opportunities, mentors, teachers, and fellow students who are comparably gifted in all things mathematical. At no time will we modify our pace, depth, or expectations for those who elected to attend who find they are not actually at the mathematical reasoning levels required for full participation and enjoyment of our program. If after accepting the invitation to attend, you, your child, or our faculty discover that this is not a good fit, your child may stay, but we cannot alter our program. That said, we have observed that students who met the eligibility criteria and were accepted to Epsilon Camp generally thrived after adjusting to a challenge level well above their usual school lessons. We hope parents will understand we need to provide clear guidelines so that all students will be prepared to benefit from camp.

English is the language of instruction at Epsilon Camp. If the applicant's native language is not English, the applicant must provide proof of proficiency in speaking, reading and writing English to enroll in Epsilon Camp. 

Age Requirements

Epsilon Camp is for students ages 7 to 12, but entry to our program is for students who will be between 7 to 10 years old by the start of camp, which is typically mid July.

Interest in Mathematics

The primary criteria for the camp are a deep love of mathematics and a willingness to explore it.

Does the applicant...

• spend free time computing, constructing, or otherwise playing with mathematical ideas?

• perk up when someone will talk seriously with them about mathematics?

• take math books to bed?

• jump at the chance to spend two weeks of summer vacation doing math all day?

If so, then Epsilon Camp might be the right fit for your child.

Maturity and Motor Skills

Epsilon Camp is a very intense environment. It is important that all campers have a certain level of maturity, both to get the most out of the camp themselves and to help others do the same. The students who thrive are those with the following characteristics:

• Ability to structure thoughts and communicate them.

• Ability to use a pen or pencil to make constructive notes.

• Ability to concentrate for at least an hour in a classroom environment.

• Ability to work independently and in groups.

• Ability to attempt new things and to fail gracefully when they do not work out.

• Ability to persevere when things get hard.

• Willingness to ask questions when confused, stuck or in need of more challenge.

• Respect for the ideas and needs of others.

Academic Program Ages 7–8 SKILLS PREREQUISITES

While the focus of the Academic Program Ages 7–8 is not on math skill development, the following skills are essential for success at camp. By the beginning of camp, campers should be able to:

• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide multi-digit numbers. 3-digit addition/subtraction and 1-by-3 digit multiplication should be effortless. 1 into 3 digit division should not interrupt their thought process.

• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions without interrupting their thought process.

• Work with variables given by letters: evaluate an algebraic expression involving one variable, translate an arithmetical statement in English involving one variable to an algebraic expression, and multiply two linear expressions.

• Know what it means to "square" or "cube" a number and have some exposure to higher exponents.

• Have exposure to long division and square roots.

• Be acquainted with transformations and symmetry

• Be able to solve problems involving area and volume

• Be ready to follow simple deductive arguments about geometric objects

• Applicants are not expected to know algebra.

A student who is familiar with some prealgebra concepts or has completed a prealgebra course is a good fit for the Academic Program Ages 7-8.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM AGES 9–12 Skills Prerequisites

Fluency
Techniques that can be performed effortlessly in the middle of some other complex activity:

• addition

• subtraction

• multiplication

• simple division

• place value

Experience
Techniques that require some thought, but not complete concentration:

• long division

• using percent

• adding fractions

• converting between fraction and decimal

• finding lowest common multiple and highest common factor

• expanding brackets and working with order of operations

• working with several variables represented by letters or names (not just x)

• arithmetic and manipulation of variables

• exponentials and square roots

• using coordinates to specify position on a plane or in 3D

• understanding the meaning of "solving an equation"

• geometric vocabulary

Familiarity
Techniques that can be completed easily, but might require full concentration:

• solving a linear equation

• using rates and units

• graphing functions

• working with inequalities

• factoring polynomials with integer solutions

• finding the prime factorization of an integer

• using a ruler and compass

• translating between expressions in English and algebraic expressions

• questioning why a mathematical process works

• reasoning logically, for example, solving logic puzzles

Please note that these are general guidelines. In order to get the most out of the program, completion of an Algebra 1 course prior to starting the Academic Program Ages 9+ is highly recommended.

Non-discrimination Statement

Epsilon Camp does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy, or other legally protected characteristic in admissions, employment, or any activity administered by the camp.