We parents have many reasons for wanting to send our children off to a summer program at a boarding school. Whether you are looking to remediate a learning deficiency or improve an athletic skill, you will be able to find a summer program at a boarding school which meets your requirements. It didn't take me very long to find summer programs devoted to riding, figure skating, STEM, ESL, and dozens of other activities.
Searching for summer programs is easy on Boarding School Review. From our home page click on Find Schools. Then click on Advanced Search. Select the region and check the box at the bottom left of the screen for Summer Program.
Underlying all these activities is the high quality of supervision and program management you find in boarding schools. Boarding schools know how to look after young people. After all, they do it 24/7 during the school year. It's just part of their DNA. And that is reassuring to us parents. We most certainly want our children to be safe and happy, and not slip through the cracks.
What follows is a sampling of programs in the six regions of the United States to give you an overview of the wide range of activities available. I have included brief descriptions from the schools' websites, as well as links so that you can explore their summer programs easily. On some websites, you will find "Summer" easy to find as a link. On other websites, there will not be an obvious link to their summer programs. Simply input "summer" in the search field most sites have to find the summer programs page.
New England68 boarding schools in the New England region offer summer programs. You will find a mix of academic, athletic and arts programs offered. Here is a sample.
Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire
"Located on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, BASS is both a summer school and a summer camp. Brewster Academy Summer School offers an ideal environment for students ages 13-17. In addition to taking hands-on intensive STEM, Humanities and English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, students also participate in outdoor and social activities focused on skills training and life preparation."
The Ethel Walker School, Simsbury, Connecticut
"The Ethel Walker School's Summer Riding Experience is an extension of the School's renowned equestrian program. Since the early 90s, Summer Riding Experience has helped girls develop into complete horsewomen while having fun! The camp consists of daily riding sessions complemented with activities that include horse care, working with farriers and veterinarians, equine science, and general equestrian knowledge."
Hebron Academy, Hebron, Maine
"Hebron Academy’s English Language Summer Institute (ELSI) extends the school’s mission statement of “Hebron Academy inspires and guides students to reach their highest potential in mind, body, and spirit” beyond the school year for non-native English speakers."
Northfield Mount Hermon, Mount Hermon, Massachusetts
"NMH Summer Session students come from all over the U.S. and the world, and they each have their own goals. For some, it’s a chance to experience a rigorous academic environment, possibly for the first time. For others, it’s an opportunity to build on their existing foundation and get a jump on college preparation."
The Mid-Atlantic Region has 48 schools with summer programs. The depth and breadth of these programs mean that you are certain to find something which suits your needs.
Buffalo Seminary, Buffalo. New York
Summer at SEM Reinvented: "Now with Sleepaway, Immersion and Intensive Squash Write it. Film it. Solve it. Code it. Learn it. Sew it. Bake it. Sing it. Dance it. Sail it. Play it..."
Fishburne Military School, Waynesboro, Virginia
"Watch as your son masters the basics of coding, designs virtual environments, creates objects in 3D, rappels down a wall, takes flight, and much more! Enjoy this exciting, educational, 5-week summer program. Summer Session at Fishburne Military School fosters personal responsibility, honor, integrity, and respect for others."
Lawrenceville School, Lawrenceville, New Jersey
"Our 300+ Summer Scholars, grades 6-10, have the chance to roll up their sleeves and explore new fields of study in project-focused courses. Whether enrolled as a residential or day scholar, all students participate in House competitions and activities."
19 boarding schools in the Midwest offer summer programs. Here's a sampling.
Shattuck-St. Mary's School, Faribault, Minnesota
The following blurb describes just one of the innovative summer camps which Shattuck-St. Mary's offers.
We’re proud to continue our long-standing tradition of exceptional training for the development of skaters from around the world. We provide a world-class coaching staff, a professional camp staff, and a safe and nurturing environment. Our proven program keeps skaters coming back year after year.
We divide our levels by age and skill. Roommate, Level, and Group requests will be carefully evaluated, but are Not Guaranteed. Skaters in different groups or levels will have the opportunity to hang out with their friends throughout the day, or at the end of each day. Based on enrollment, your skater’s group and/or counselor may change with the start of each new week.
Each week, skaters will receive up to 24 hours of supervised Freestyle ice and almost 30 on and off-ice instructional classes including Ballet/Dance, Conditioning, Sports Psychology, Off-Ice Jump and Stretch classes, and On-Ice Stroking, Power, Choreography, and Technique classes. During all Freestyle ice sessions, private lessons may be scheduled for an additional fee.
The South34 boarding schools in the South offer summer programs. Here are some examples.
The Boles School, Jacksonville, Florida
Every summer The Bolles School plays host to a variety of opportunities that enable children, students, and educators to live, learn and grow with their peers. From boarding opportunities to teacher seminars to half day camps, there is everything to love about The Bolles School.
Sessions are available from June through August. View our main categories in the right-hand banner. Click on the drop down to find out more and to register.
McCallie School, Chattanooga, Tennesse
McCallie Sports Camp is an action-oriented boarding camp for boys ages 9-14, up to Rising 9th grade (9th grade in school year 2018-19)
Our sports camp has become one of the most popular and successful camps of its type in the Southeast.
A variety of athletic activities are combined with trips and other fun events. Emphasis is on fun, sportsmanship, and participation. Whether playing his favorite sport or learning a new sport, each camper leaves with a feeling of satisfaction and achievement — and has fun!
The Southwest9 boarding schools in the Southwest offer summer programs. Here are some examples.
Marine Military Academy, Harlingen, Texas
"Every summer, Marine Military Academy hosts two summer enrichment programs designed to help young men who are not part of the MMA Corps of Cadets succeed academically. MMA believes in providing all boys the opportunity to succeed and is proud to offer two outstanding programs: SAT Prep at MMA and ESL at MMA."
The Orme School, Mayer, Arizona
"Orme’s high desert setting, at 4,000 feet above sea level, provides a temperate and gorgeous getaway for one to enjoy summer. The Orme School’s residential summer camps provide new experiences in a supportive environment for campers ages 10–17. Whether your child desires to improve their horsemanship abilities, develop their leadership strengths, hone their outdoor adventure skills, or simply wants to enjoy traditional summer camp fun, an Orme overnight summer camp experience provides positive lifetime memories."
34 boarding schools in the West offer a wide range of summer programs.
Army and Navy Academy, Carlsbad, California
"Camp Pacific takes full advantage of ANA’s beachfront property, offering a wide range of entertaining and fun daily activities, instructional classes, surfing and other seaside games, exciting excursions, as well as creative weekly activity clinics, and daily skill classes."
Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, Bellevue, Washington
"Create, collaborate, explore new skills, and make friends at Forest Ridge Summer Experience! The one-week camps for boys and girls entering 2nd through 8th grades offer students engaging, hands-on learning experiences to discover new passions while having fun. Whether you’re looking for a half-day arts and crafts or a full day of science, there is something for everyone!"
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