What’s a Summer Camp to Do?

From traditional fun to specialized learning—crafting an ideal summer experience.

“Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah.

Here I am at Camp Grenada,

Camp is very entertaining

And they say I’ll have some fun if it stops raining!”

(As a parent of three college-aged young women, I’m dating myself with that chestnut—Allan Sherman’s 1963 novelty song!)

Summer camps, can be romanticized or parodied in films such as Wet Hot American Summer and Theatre Camp (and don’t forget, as Gen X’ers and Millennial parents, we have likely seen both Haley Mills’ and Lindsey Lohan's Parent Trap.)

These pop culture representations of summer camps seem to harken back to a simpler time. Families wanted their young people to have some independence, a little adventure, make new friends, and get less underfoot. Even in the best of camps, lodging was rustic, and food was questionable. Letters were written home, and packages of verboten snacks were sent. Maybe there were tears when you picked up your kid as they were parted from beloved counselors and new friends; maybe you had tears of your own at drop off.  Copious amounts of laundry at homecoming were an inevitability.

But somehow, the summer camp experience became more specialized.

But somehow, the summer camp experience became more specialized. Soccer, Theatre, STEM. Just being a kid, living away from home, maybe for the first time, holding it together for bouts of homesickness and awkward camp dances (I’m still emotionally scarred that my 4H camp final dance song was “Stairway to Heaven.” Just what do you do with your 12-year-old body at the fast part?) Camp, had to now achieve. You needed to see results. A stronger kick and improved rudimentary math skills—you bet. Attempting to and failing to make a fire with freshly whittled sticks?  Over.

But I get it. Summer programs are expensive. And butt up against vacation plans, yearly physicals, and orthodontist appointments. But are our ten-year-olds running with wholesome neighborhood bike gangs, playing outside all day, and negotiating those early bonds of friendship without the structure of school? Unlikely.  Maybe our preadolescents and young adolescents are on their phones, gaming, or binge-watching Dance Moms. And we are working and have younger children, and even older parents that we are caring for.  And our thirteen-year-olds, fifteen-year-olds, and ten-year-olds aren’t driving themselves to their summer jobs. Summer can seem long, stressful, and fruitless.

For those of us with children with learning differences such as dyslexia, and ADHD, that cognitive slide can be even more severe.

So where is that summer sweet spot? How can a summer “camp” provide that mix of fun, personal growth, and, yes, a little learning? We have all heard of the dreaded summer slide. Maybe you’ve seen it? For those of us with children with learning differences such as dyslexia, and ADHD, that cognitive slide can be even more severe. Long gaps of idle time for students with ADHD can be more difficult, and for students getting extra support in reading and written expression, some skills slide.  Students who struggle with change and transitions? Having little to no structure and schedule can make the return to school all that more challenging.

What’s a summer camp to do?

At Eagle Hill School’s Summer Session, most importantly, kids need to be kids. They need safety, supervision, good nutrition, and emotional support. After all, just as in the academic year, boarding school professionals are “in loco parentis.” We recognize that it isn’t just enough to provide a space away from family but rather to assume some of the responsibilities and privileges of parents as well. It is especially important for students with ADHD or dyslexia who might not always consider the academic space their happy one.

It’s important to bring the happy—to fill days with fun and laughter, splashes in the pool, field trips, and the occasional ice cream cone.

It’s important to bring the happy—to fill days with fun and laughter, splashes in the pool, field trips, and the occasional ice cream cone. And let them try a math class with just six students and a caring attentive teacher who “gets” them. (Maybe one summer discovery is that math IS something they can be good at—that’s a great summer!) And at EHS, providing young people with a stake and involvement in their own learning—try a woodworking class or learn about “The Most Evil Men and Women in History?” The classroom can be a happy space after all. What a boost of confidence this can be, like returning to school wearing an invisible superhero cape.

So yes, a little algebra, but also ropes climbing, swimming, crafting, and improv.  Some one-on-one time reviewing critical reading skills but also beekeeping and mountain biking. At Eagle Hill School, we are so fortunate to have over 300 acres of resources for our students. Let’s let them play, climb, perform, and take an interesting history class. (Maybe learn that history CAN be interesting if it’s taught a little differently.)   A good summer program should introduce students from all over the world, provide the opportunity to learn to live in close quarters, and the importance of respectful relationships with each other. That kind of growth is immeasurable.

Maybe the best model of “summer camp” in 2025, is that summer can still be an adventure. In and out of the classroom.

Learn more about Eagle Hill School's Summer Session >>