Through Summer Connections, we help students prepare for the rigorous subjects they plan to take in the future, be it during high school or college. If you are a student focused on achievement, our Junior Scholars Camp will help you meet your educational goals while at the same time giving you all the benefits of a traditional camp. Participants may choose among classes in core subjects, such as coding, math, writing or English.  And then participate in a number of engaging health and wellness offerings guaranteed to build physical stamina, skills and opportunities to socialize with peers.  The academic courses are designed for students who want substantial exposure to courses they will be taking in the fall. Students will also be supported and introduced to meta coaching based on the six domains of cognitive learning (remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating, and creating) that prepares them to be better independent learners and effective self-advocates. Each offering is limited to a small class size. Food service is included in the price.

We’ve partnered again this summer with the amazing instructional team from Vineyard App Camp.  Over the course of five weeks, students learn design and coding principles while building and launching their own marketing campaigns and apps under the guidance of experienced teachers. This is different from other programs in that students don’t just learn how to design or code, but they immediately see the impact they’re making, sparking an interest in technology and entrepreneurship. 

In the Design Course students will:

• Learn basics of composition, typography, color, etc and how it impacts design collateral
• Use Canva to build design-centered assets for non-profits and Facebook Ads to run marketing campaigns

In the App Course students will:

• Learn basics of HTML, mobile app structure, database and React Native
• Use Javascript and programming logic to build an interactive iOS app from start to finish
• Practice prototyping and design thinking principles with engaging activities

Location: Third Floor of the New Middle School Building

This course is taught with a variety of formats. Students will understand basic arithmetic concepts, develop estimation skills, compute accurately using fractions, decimals, and percents, and be introduced to some basic algebraic concepts. Problem-solving activities will promote thinking and reasoning, implementing group learning skills, and integrating writing. Students will learn how to take notes for math and keep an organized notebook. The course is an introduction to Pre-Algebra. This course is graded as pass/fail. Grades are not included in progress reports.

This course targets techniques and strategies needed to improve written communication. Students have the opportunity to develop a personal voice through the writing of fiction, nonfiction, and memoir. Students work on a series of specific assignments and exercises. Eventually, they pursue their own projects, sharing and critiquing each other’s efforts. This course serves two types of students: those who already excel at writing and those who wish to improve their writing style. Part of the course includes the daily use of computers to polish grammar and to address organization and fluency. The course culminates with a collection of edited compositions and essays that are compiled in a portfolio for each student to take home. This course is graded as pass/fail. Grades are not included in progress reports.

Literary Skills Seminar is a Language Arts course that focuses on teaching students a variety of reading and writing skills. Students will read various novels and other works for comprehension and fluency while analyzing, determining literary elements, and understanding figurative language. Students will write different pieces in order to improve their skills. This is a great course for students that want some extra practice in Language Arts Literacy.

Note: Students in classes designated as BYOD will be expected to bring a laptop that meets minimum requirements or any brand Chromebook. A tablet with a keyboard is also acceptable, but we find that the mobile platforms of these devices limit the functionality in some learning activities. Students who enroll in courses designated BYOD must identify during the registration process whether they commit to bringing a personal device to Summer Connections or whether they would need to have the program supply a device for the course.

Students may bring any brand Chromebook. The Chromebook MUST have wireless internet to function. They may also bring a PC laptop with Microsoft Windows 7 or Windows 8 operating system, and minimum 4 GB RAM of memory.  Antivirus protection is the owner’s responsibility. We currently allow Apple laptops purchased within the last three years. Although iPads and other model tablets are convenient for most purposes, the mobile apps do not provide some of the features needed in class.