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Frequently Asked Questions

About

Yunasa is a one-week, residential camp that focuses on nurturing social-emotional and whole child development of gifted youth. Campers will learn mindfulness techniques to help with stress, anxiety, and perfectionism, and participate in a fun, unplugged week of summer camp activities. Workshops and programming are led by experts in gifted education to encourage the growth of social, emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects as well as the stimulation of the intellect.
Each child is placed in a psychosynthesis group with a Yunasa Fellow or Facilitator, and they spend time together each day in a structured psychosynthesis session. Psychosynthesis is a mode of psychology developed by Roberto Assagioli, MD, whose studies focused on the personality and soul. While different methods and techniques to employ psychosynthesis have been developed, Yunasa Fellows and Facilitators lead campers in guided visualizations meant to promote mindfulness and presence, support calmness, inspire imagination, develop creativity, and establish balance in mind, body, and spirit. The exercises are hinged on concentration, timing, and a focus on each breath. Psychosynthesis serves as a tool to decrease anxiety and calm a busy mind. As with any activity at Yunasa, campers are encouraged to try it out as best they can in the hopes it can help them in their normal lives outside of camp.
A Heart of the Matter session is scheduled once for each psychosynthesis group during the week of Yunasa. Individual groups meet with a Yunasa Fellow who is a licensed psychologist as well as their assigned Psychosynthesis Fellow for an hour-an-a-half period in which campers discuss struggles, worries, concerns, and victories from the past year. Heart of the Matter is not a therapy session, and issues of health and safety are not discussed. However, Yunasa Fellows who facilitate Heart of the Matter sessions clearly communicates that campers are welcome and encouraged to approach any Fellow, counselor, or IEA staff member if they have serious problems or concerns in which they need help.  
Cross-generational interaction is an important element of Yunasa, and each Yunasa Fellow and Facilitator has an interesting story to share. During Elder Chat, one of the Fellows talk about their life, and campers are given the opportunity to ask questions.
Every morning, before breakfast, campers congregate in a circle and participate in Call in Directions to set a tone of gratitude and intentionality as each new day begins at Yunasa. The entire group stands facing each direction – North, South, East, and West – and campers acknowledge areas they are thankful for in nature and life. Call in Direction sets a tone of gratitude and unity as each new day begins at Yunasa.

For an example of a typical day at Yunasa, click here.

Application

Families will need to fill out IEA’s portfolio-style application each summer. For more details, please visit the Apply Now page.
Applicants need to be 10 years old by the start of camp. If your child is 9 years old at the time they submit an application, but they will be 10 before the date they arrive at camp, they are welcome to apply. Please refer to the Camper Eligibility section.
Yunasa West and Yunasa East have similar programming, so most families choose based on convenience of location and timing.
 
Other differences include:
  • Yunasa West is our larger camp (approximately 80 campers), while Yunasa East is smaller (approximately 50 campers).
  • Yunasa West has a smaller lake but access to horseback riding and larger adventure activities such as rapelling; Yunasa East has more robust lakefront activities and access to a wildlife rehabilitation center, but smaller-scale adventure activities and no horseback riding.
  • Yunasa West lodging is slightly more rugged, and 2 of the 6 cabins require a very short walk from the cabin to the nearest restroom.
  • As of summer 2026, both camps have 2-year Leadership programs in which select 15- and 16-year-old campers hold additional responsibilities and act as role models for younger campers.

Tuition

Yes. We are pleased to be able to offer need-based tuition assistance. Families who would like to apply for tuition assistance must submit materials before the general Yunasa application deadline and will receive their award at the time of acceptance. The tuition assistance request form is available here.

AT CAMP

Campers are housed in cabins grouped by gender identity, with between 10-15 campers and 1-2 counselors per cabin. Facilities include twin size bunk beds, communal bathrooms and showers.
Yes. As you fill out your enrollment documents, please provide details regarding your child’s dietary requirements. Not only do both Yunasa East and Yunasa West offer gluten-free and vegetarian items at every meal, we are able to provide meal options for vegan campers, children with food allergies, and campers whose medication schedule requires certain foods at certain times.
 
The camp kitchens are nut-free. If you will be packing or mailing snacks for your child, please do not pack any food items that may contain peanuts or tree nuts as we have campers with severe nut allergies!
Parents are free to tour the camp on opening day. Otherwise, we do not schedule any visits during the week of Yunasa.
Though campers will not have any messaging/calling access while at camp, Yunasa staff is happy to provide updates on your child if you reach out to us during the week. Parents will also be given access to a Google Drive of photos that is updated daily, and can follow IEA social media for other photos.
Licensed health professionals are onsite at both camps and check in all camper medications, including over-the-counter medicines. They ensure these medications are issued at the times parents list on enrollment forms, as well as treat and monitor any health concerns or injuries that occur.

TRANSPORTATION

Yes, there is a one-way shuttle service for campers who are arriving in to and flying out of the following airports- DEN (Yunasa West) or DTW (Yunasa East) for an additional fee of $50/one way or $100/roundtrip. Shuttle seating is only applicable to campers who will need to meet the required time ranges listed on arrival and/or departure day. Please refer to the parent handbook provided in your child’s acceptance email for additional information.
Yes, children can fly independently and select the IEA shuttle service for pick up and/or drop off in their enrollment form provided in their acceptance email as long as they fly to the designated airports within the recommended time ranges.
 
Children who are 14 and under may fly as unaccompanied minors. We cannot treat any child as an unaccompanied minor (e.g., provide an IEA chaperone to meet them at their gate) if he or she is not deemed one by the airline. If your child is flying under “Unaccompanied Minor” status as designed by the airline, an additional fee of $35/for each time used will be applied. Please check with your designated airline for more information regarding their policies and fees.
Yunasa 2026 and Application
What is Yunasa?
Tuition and Aid
Camper Eligibility
Fellows, Counselors and Staff
Travel to and From Camp
FAQS
Year-Round Events
Yunasa's Impact
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