My kid is currently a 9th grader at BS. Before BS, she went to overnight camp, but she aged out. I need to come up with a new summer plan for her. She swims and plays water polo. We will probably sign up for a one-week swim camp and a one-week water polo camp. But, I’m looking for ideas beyond athletics. Any recommendations for summer courses at colleges (Brown, Hopkins) or travel programs? Open to other ideas too.
Since BS students can’t work during the year, a summer job is a great idea. The first year, my son worked as a camp counselor at a local sports camp, and the other 3 years, he worked as a janitor for our local school department. I think as a BS kid, being able to work a “down and dirty” job gave him legitimacy when he started applying for college jobs/internships in a field that required fieldwork with rough conditions.
We’ll never know, but I think there is an assumption about boarding school kids being pampered and I think having a job (especially one like a janitor) gave a better picture of a kid that would work hard.
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My kids didn’t go to boarding school (public school) but all worked part time starting at 14 (had to get working papers) full time during summers (babysitting, tutoring, garden center, restaurant cashiers, lifeguarding, reffing, delivering…). They also worked part time in college, full time summers, and never had any issue getting internships and full time employment after graduation.
DD did summer abroad program after freshman year through her BS, as did DS (4 years later, different school).
i personally favor life-enriching experiences over more classes. Job at local grocer, volunteer (or paid) camp counselor, visits with extended family, etc.
DD was (still is) a swimmer so regular training was always in the mix too.
My kid did a summer sports camp one year (not long, maybe a week or two), traveled with the family, and had a summer job. Many of his friends also had jobs. Kids who could lifeguard were in high demand and as that’s a seasonal job in our region (and every condo complex, health club, public park needed coverage), it worked well with the school schedule. I agree that jobs that are “real world” – like working at a grocery store – are great on a million fronts.
My kids didn’t do academic type programs as they felt they needed some academic down time. But if she wants a summer program that is fine.
Can your D reach out to her camp and see if they have CIT program? She could also try other day camps in your area. Another idea is to volunteer at a place of interest to her. My S was a CIT at s camp and D volunteered with a non-profit.
While I second the work/volunteer suggestions (my DD has been a server at a nearby retirement community in the summer and will be volunteering with a mobile health clinic), I will also suggest you/your kid reach out to their school to see if they have any suggestions for summer programs. My DD was just emailed a list of summer research/leadership/STEM/art programs, most at universities, that have application deadlines coming up in Jan/Feb. I suspect most BS will have someone who is knowledgeable about summer opportunities (maybe in the college counseling department?) and could help him/her find a program of interest.