Southwestern Adventures

Summer Adventures
Rimrock, Arizona


		Program Description Program Overview Visit Web Site Get Free Info

For More Information, Contact
San Marino Campus
Southwestern Academy
2800 Monterey Road
San Marino, California 91108
626-799-5010 Ext. 5
Fax: 626-799-0407
Beaver Creek Ranch Campus
Southwestern Academy
Rimrock, Arizona 86335
928-567-4581

Type of Program: Academic enrichment, ESL courses, outdoor recreation, environmental education, field trips, and academic credit courses
Participants: Coeducational, ages 12–18
Enrollment: 45
Program Dates: Four- and eight-week sessions, from June 23 to August 15
Head of Program: Rob Bufton, Head of Campus

Location

Southwestern Academy’s Beaver Creek Ranch Campus is in a secluded red sandstone canyon that was carved by the creek around it. The Coconino National Forest surrounds the 180-acre campus. The campus rests at an elevation of 4,000 feet and is located 15 miles from Sedona, 45 miles south of Flagstaff, and 100 miles north of Phoenix, Arizona.

Background and Philosophy

Summer Adventures at Southwestern Academy offers students entering Upper or Middle School a four- or eight-week program that uniquely combines college-preparatory, academic enrichment, and language skills with the fun and exciting activities that the season presents.

Program Offerings

Students enroll in classes that provide opportunities to link academics with some of the most popular hot spots of the area. Students also discover that the Summer Adventures program enables them to develop self-reliance and confidence while making new friendships with other students from around the world. The low teacher-student ratio provides a nurturing and supportive environment, establishing a sense of community and trust that embraces the school’s core values. Field trips and scholastics are designed to be achievement based, with individual attention made available to each student as needed—all surrounded by an energetic and spirited atmosphere.
The Summer Adventures program includes a core curriculum with comprehensive courses in English, history, science, math, Spanish, and art. Courses are selected individually to meet each student’s academic needs. English as a second language is offered to international students who need to improve their skills in reading, writing, and speaking. Afternoons are left open for study time, enrichment through arts and crafts, elective course work, and travel. Electives also include outdoor and wilderness skills.
High school course credit and Lower School letters of achievement can be earned to make up credits for deficiencies, or students can gain a head start on the coming school year. Southwestern Academy is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Enrollment

Campers and counselors generally come from the Southwest area and are joined by other students from the U.S. and around the world. Southwestern Academy’s programs are open to all qualified students without regard to race, creed, or national origin.

Daily Schedule

7:00–7:30
7:30–9:00
9:10–10:40
10:50–12:20
12:20–1:00
1:30–2:30
3:00–6:00
6:00–6:45
7:00–10:00

Breakfast
Period 1
Period 2
Period 3
Lunch
Study hall
Activities
Dinner
Programs

Extra Opportunities and Activities

The canyon setting of the Beaver Creek Ranch Campus provides creek and pool swimming, archaeological and geological field trips, backpacking, rock climbing, and the exploration of nearby caves containing prehistoric remains. There is trout fishing in the creek as well as bass fishing in the campus ponds. The nights are clear for star gazing.
Recreational activities include basketball, softball, swimming, volleyball, horseback riding, hiking, billiards, table tennis, horseshoes, mountain biking, weight training, camping, and indoor games. A golf course is also nearby.
Weekend activities include overnight travel to Sunset Crater, the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Navajo and Hopi reservations, Petrified Forest, and Canyon de Chelly. Camping skills are learned and applied during these trips. In addition, there are organized studies at each site that provide hands-on learning in history, geology, ecology, economics, and geography.

Facilities

Campus buildings include classic dorms with double and triple rooms; river-stone cottages for faculty members; classrooms and study assembly; a science lab; recreation halls; natural and man-made swimming pools; indoor tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts; weight and fitness rooms; an art building; and sports fields. There is a full gymnasium on campus. Computers and computer instruction are available to all students.
Surrounded by large sycamores and cottonwoods, two ponds and a trout stream are located on campus.

Staff

Southwestern Academy is an accredited college-preparatory school with a noncompetitive program. Teachers from the school’s regular term instruct the summer program classes. Resident teachers supervise all afternoon and evening travel and activities.

Costs

In 2007, tuition, room, and board were $5500 for the four-week session and $8950 for the eight-week session. A deposit of $500 was required for the student’s personal expenses.

Financial Aid

Limited financial aid is available. Special grants are based on financial need.

Transportation

Beaver Creek Ranch Campus is 7 hours from Los Angeles by car and 1½ hours from Phoenix. A private airstrip is nearby. Unless other arrangements are made, students fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and take a shuttle to Camp Verde, where they are greeted by a Southwestern Academy staff or faculty member and escorted to the campus.

Application Timetable

Southwestern’s year-round campuses are always open for tours, interviews, and/or admission information. Applications are accepted throughout the year. Summer applications are due by May 15.