Category: Summer Programs

My younger daughter has attended an all girls’ overnight camp for the past five years. When we were first looking at overnight camps for her, we weren’t specifically interested in a single-gender camp experience. We chose the camp because she liked it—it has only been over the past several years that she has come to appreciate the benefits of spending a few weeks each summer with just girls. Extra Comfort at Single-Gender Camp Camp is a time to relax and unwind—an opportunity for kids to step out of their box, be adventurous, and a little goofy. While all sleepaway camps ...

There has been much said about high school summer activities and how to spend the summer: volunteering, reading, working, and more. But for the college-bound teen, summer gives each grade level an opportunity to concentrate on specific tasks before the school year begins. Soon-to-be Freshmen It’s the year of new beginnings. Wide-eyed freshmen enter high school campuses overwhelmed and excited. High school is the beginning of the college pursuit. It means added responsibility and academic challenges. And it also requires organization and preparation. Following are four tasks for soon-to-be freshmen: 1. Plan The summer before freshman year is the best ...

We all know that summer is one of the only times of the year when teens can relax—they are released from stressful responsibilities including homework, school sports games, and exams. But summer should not be a wasted opportunity to read for pleasure. To help incentivize teens over the last four years, The New York Times created their annual New York Times Summer Reading Contest. How Does the Summer Reading Contest Work? Every Friday from June 13th through August 15th, The NYT posts the same question: "What interested you most in The Times this week?" Anyone 13 to 19 years old ...

High school can be the perfect time for a teenager to intern: teens aren’t presented with too much financial responsibility, have several months off from school, and are eager to get some work experience before college. A summer internship can benefit your teen in both the short and long term. Immediate Benefits In the short term, a summer internship can help your teen further understand his or her goals for college. While most teens are underqualified for professional jobs before college, a summer internship can get them “in” with a company and provide them with professional experience. Not to mention, ...

Teens often pass over high school community service as hours to complete, or something that looks good on their college applications. But it can be much more than that, if you give it the chance. In order to appreciate the value of this hands-on experience, here are five facets that form the cornerstone benefits of a volunteering in high school. 1. It's proven to make you happier. Community service provides physical and mental rewards. Researchers report that when you focus on others’ needs over your own, it ignites brain activity that reduces stress and depression. A recent study conducted at ...

Summer is approaching and parents and students are looking forward to a much-needed break from school. But if you have a college-bound teen or you are one, summer should never be wasted on video games and watching DVD’s on the couch. There are all kinds of summer programs for teens, volunteer opportunities and summer jobs that will beef up your resume for college and scholarship applications. 10 Summer Activities for College-Bound Teens 1. Volunteer in your community A consistent pattern of volunteering each summer looks great on applications and shows colleges that you are concerned about giving back. Volunteer in ...

I was 14 years old the first time I studied abroad. I went to Costa Rica for one month to improve my Spanish, do community service, and live with a family. The next summer, when I was 15, I adventured to Cádiz, Spain for one month. This time, I traveled around the country, went to school, took surfing lessons, and lived with a family. Two years ago, when I was 20, I went to Santiago, Chile for seven months. I was a full-time student at a university, spent weeks traveling the long coast of Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. I also ...

When I was accepted early-decision into my alma mater, I could not wait to step foot on campus for freshman orientation in August. But for some reason, when I was completing my housing form and meal plan preferences, I skipped over the Pre-College Summer Program options. At my college, like many others, there are several summer programs offered on campus and off for entering freshmen. These activities include wilderness trips, pre-orientation classes, community service, and many more. These programs came at an extra price—but also with tons of advantages. These are the reasons why I wish I went to a ...

After a long winter and an even longer school year, everyone is excited for the endless opportunities that summer brings. It is also commonly known that these days, students need to utilize their summers to engage in meaningful enrichment activities—internships, jobs, camps, traveling, volunteering—in order to ramp up their college applications. The last thing a high school student wants to do is work hard with their noses in books all fall, winter, spring, and summer. The good news is that teens can have a meaningful summer while also having fun and relaxing. Here are five engaging summer activities that are ...

The simple fact is that colleges want good citizens. That's why high school community service is an important factor for college admissions. And there are places where teenage volunteers can make a difference, in their own towns and around the world. // Summer Service Programs Many summer community service programs for teens are based in impoverished or rural areas in the United States or Third World countries. They vary in size but usually include 12 to 25 students. Service in these sorts of programs typically involves different projects: physical work (construction of schools, clean up, restoration); teaching; working with underserved ...