Camp Psych provides rising high school Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors a window into how psychological science works.
Due to unanticipated changes in the availability of our faculty, we will not be able to host a Camp Psych program in 2023. However, the program will return in summer of 2024, and we can’t wait to work with you then! Please add yourself to our contact list to be sure you receive information about our 2024 program as soon as it becomes available.
- Camp Goals/Overview
- Sample Day
- Camp Directors
- Role of RAs/TAs
- Comments from Past Campers and Their Parents
- FAQs: Registration & Logistics, Camp Life, Health/Medical Concerns, College Preparation
- Details at a glance
- Application Information
- Contact information: camppsych@gettysburg.edu
Camp Goals / Overview
The goal of Camp Psych is to provide a window into how psychological science works . What are some of the major questions investigated by psychologists? Campers will get hands-on experiences that introduce them to research in psychology in a fun, challenging, and engaging environment. Campers will not simply learn about cutting edge issues and research in psychology; they will engage in research themselves . Perfect for students interested in psychology, this camp gives students an insider view of the field as well as preparation for college studies .
Sample Day
| 8:00-9:00 | Breakfast |
| 9:00-12:00 | Topic Introduction: Helping Others: Acting and Failing to Act - Introduction to the psychological study of helping behavior - Identify research questions (e.g., Do people help more when they are alone or with their friends?) - Presentation of cutting-edge research in the field - Real-world applications and issues (e.g., Applying helping research to address issues of environmental sustainability) - Break-out discussion groups (e.g., does true altruism exist?) |
| 12:00-1:00 | Lunch |
| 1:00-4:00 | Topic Action: Experimental Research on Helping - Students design studies and collect data with RAs and faculty - Students summarize results and present to class |
| 4:00-6:00 | Free Time (e.g., relax in the dorm, play games, explore campus/square, etc.) |
| 6:00-7:00 | Dinner |
| 7:00-9:00 | Movie Night |
| 9:00-10:00 | Free Time (e.g., relax in the dorm, play games, explore campus/square, etc.) |
| 10:00 | Curfew |
Camp Directors
Erin R. Clark and Abigail A. Scholer, psychologists with extensive experience in psychological research and teaching, are the directors of Camp Psych.
Dr. Abigail Scholer, an alumna of Gettysburg College (’00), went on to receive her Ph.D. from Columbia University and is now an Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo. Dr. Scholer has published over 50 research papers in prestigious journals in psychology (e.g., Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Psychological Science), regularly presents at major psychological conferences (e.g., Association for Psychological Science), and has received grants, awards and fellowships for both teaching (e.g., Columbia University Outstanding Teaching Award) and research (e.g., Canada Foundation for Innovation, National Science Foundation). 
Erin Clark is also a proud Gettysburg College graduate (’99). After studying both psychology and education, Erin went on to join Teach for America (Los Angeles Corps, ’99) and spent two years teaching in a Los Angeles elementary school. This experience shaped her lifelong passions for issues of educational quality and social justice. Her graduate work in Educational Psychology (Temple University, M.Ed.) focused on topics related to cognitive science, child development, and instructional design. Erin currently teaches in Gettysburg’s Department of Psychology and Department of Education. Abby and Erin are thrilled to team up to direct Camp Psych at Gettysburg College. Their passion for psychology is infectious. Their classes are structured so that students are not only introduced to the fundamentals of psychological research methods but also get hands-on experience and opportunities to apply skills to real-world issues.
Role of RAs/TAs
Campers will live in a college residence hall with resident advisors, current or recent psychology majors at Gettysburg College. Resident advisors are selected based on their expertise in psychology and their maturity and experience. Resident advisors will work with students in and outside of class to support the goals of the camp and all aspects of the campers’ experiences.
Details at a Glance
Where: Gettysburg College Campus
When: Summer of 2024
How Much: Total tuition (TBD) covers lodging, meals, and activities
Who: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the camp is full. We sometimes receive applications from more applicants than we can admit to our camp especially as the camp fills. Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance. In making admissions decisions, we carefully review applicant statements and sometimes contact teacher references. We will notify applicants as soon as possible after a decision has been made, but we note that it may take us several weeks after an application has been submitted to send a notification.
Applying to Camp Psych
Step 1 : Campers complete an online application, the link to which will be provided here when it becomes available. The application collects demographic information along with information about the student’s interest in psychology. A short essay and teacher recommendation are required
Step 2 : If a student is accepted, we will send information about submitting payment as well as request information regarding medication, allergies and/or special dietary needs.
Camp Psych FAQs