Interview With
Bobbi DePorter
SuperCamp began in 1982. This is our 37th year. Bobbi DePorter co-founded SuperCamp as an outgrowth of a school for entrepreneurs, where graduates of the school would tell Bobbi how they wished they had learned the skills taught when they were young, adding that no one ever teaches kids how to learn.
Our camps are held on university campuses in the U.S. each summer and internationally. This year, in the U.S., SuperCamp will be at Stanford, Villanova, the University of Central Florida and Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX, near Austin.
Every child has the potential to become his or her best self with the right tools and training.
Every day is a full day from 7:00 a.m. wake-up to 10:00 p.m. lights out. Each day features a range of learning and life skills activities that may involve the entire camp of 100 or so students or individual teams of 10-12 campers. After lunch, campers get 2 hours of “activity time” where they can do outdoor sports, main room games, quiet time, reading, hanging with other campers, etc. Each camp features an outdoor adventure day with a ropes course and other activities that encourage campers to move outside their comfort zones and help them build trust in their teammates.
We have a 4:1 student to staff ratio. Our lead staff at each camp, called facilitators, are typically teachers. Many of these teachers use our Quantum Learning teaching methods in their school and classroom. Regardless, every new facilitator receives at least 150 hours of training before working their first SuperCamp. Facilitators often work with us for several years, which their teaching schedule permits. Team leaders are often in school pursuing their teaching credentials. Some team leaders are past multi-year SuperCamp participants themselves. We also recruit on college campuses at job fairs.
Because we want the same thing that parents do for their kids – for each child to be happy and passionate and to become their best self. We are able to transform kids into more confident, goal-oriented, self-motivated learners.
- What ages is SuperCamp for?
Junior Forum is for incoming 6th-8th graders (ages 11-13), Senior Forum is for incoming 9th-12th graders (ages 14-18) Quantum Academy is for incoming 12th graders, and incoming and current college students (ages 17-20). - Are they co-ed and are they residential?
All camps are co-ed and residential - What makes SuperCamp different from other “academic” camps?
(1) The skills we teach (“how to learn” skills that are applicable to every school subject; life skills that help prepare students for success in the 21st century), (2) the 8 Keys of Excellence character program that is foundational to SuperCamp, (3) the safe, supportive, inspiring and engaging environment we create and (4) the passionate, highly trained and dynamic SuperCamp staff. - How do teens and pre-teens benefit from attending SuperCamp
They become self-motivated learners who are more confident at school and life. Our follow-up surveys with grads show that 73% report better grades, a 100 point increase in SAT scores on average, 77% of grads go onto a 4-year college, 77% report improved family relationships, 93% report improved peer relationships and 81% feel more confident in their daily lives.
We have 6-day programs and 10-day programs. All camps are residential with all expenses included in the tuition and year-round support provided after camp. The 6-day camps are priced at $,2595 and $2,795. The 10-day camps are $3,795.
Enrollment is year-round. It begins in the summer for the next summer and ends when camps fill up, which is often in the spring.
The sooner the better in the spring. We have enrollment consultants available by phone during business hours (Pacific time) Monday to Friday. Parents also can enroll online at SuperCamp.com
Over 78,000 students have graduated from SuperCamp since 1982. We now have many second-generation campers attending. Don’t be surprised if your son or daughter doesn’t like the idea of going to SuperCamp, as they might think of it being like school. It’s nothing like school – it’s interactive, energetic, fun and full of music, vibrant colors and dynamic staff. It appeals to all of the senses and learning styles. Students turn in their electronic devices when they check-in and get them back each day for 10-20 minutes for calls home, etc.
