From what she's heard (from kids probably in a lower scoring range, mind you), CTY/TIP can be *very* difficult. I guess those claims have to be looked at with more scrutiny, now that I've heard from you that they aren't very hard.
CTY doesn't give grades or homework. There is no 'working on your own after class.' The kids are expected to focus during the many hours devoted to classroom and then go play with each other after. Most of the teachers seem kind of 'wow these are amazing kids' and more likely to just appreciate them where they are than to push them to the next level - just my vibe. I think of it as 'wonderland for PG plus ADD kids' who like to play with big ideas but don't want to be pushed to their next level of growth during the summer. DS did a regular 'debate camp' right before his first CTY and it was much much harder because they expected the kids to work. CTY is more like the mamma who presents the toddler with a tray full of delicious healthy food and lets the baby choose what appeals, and how much. Both are needed.
For the High LOG 2E kids or the ones who are recovering from enforced underachievement or the ones who cope with regular school by developing oddball interests and taking them to the nth degree, CTY is a blessing.
I hope that helps,
Grinity
