Summer Camps & Programs

Program Description

Emma Willard School

GirlSummer
Troy, New York

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For More Information, Contact
GirlSummer at Emma Willard School
285 Pawling Avenue
Troy, New York 12180
866-EWS-CAMP (397-2267, toll-free)
http://www.emmawillard.org/summer/residential

Type of Program: Academic enrichment
Participants: Girls entering grades 7–12
Enrollment: 50–100 girls each session
Program Dates: Multiple two-week sessions in June, July, and August
Heads of Program: Doug Murphy, Executive Director

Location

GirlSummer is located on 137 extraordinary acres atop Mount Ida amid the natural beauty of Troy, New York. The school is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and offers inspiring architecture and a state-of-the-art setting for learning and living. Just a little more than 2 hours by car from Manhattan, New York’s historic Capital Region is the pride of the Hudson Valley and has been designated a National Heritage Area.

Background and Philosophy

Since 1814, Emma Willard School has been one of the nation’s leading college-preparatory boarding and day schools for young women. As an extension of its successful and long-standing summer day program for elementary school–age girls, Emma Willard developed GirlSummer for middle and high school girls who want a taste of residential campus life in an all-girls environment.
    The GirlSummer experience is a two-week-long immersion in a stimulating and fun on-campus academic environment. Designed to further scholastic aptitude and broaden academic interests within a dynamic, structured environment, GirlSummer’s unique curriculum approach was developed specifically to pique each student’s interests and challenge her abilities. GirlSummer combines rigorous yet interesting academic endeavors during the day with great evening and weekend activities.

Program Offerings

College Prep & Preview GirlSummer College Prep & Preview gives high school girls a head start on the college admissions process. By the end of the session, each girl will have developed her own College Plan. Classes include SAT Prep, Writing for College—Applications and Essays, Writing for College—Academic Papers, Clubs and Volunteerism, Choosing a College, The College Admissions Process, and Social Life at College. Off-campus field trips might include visits to local colleges for college tours and visits with college admissions officers.
Foreign Language Study (Spanish or French) The program is designed for any ability level and is based not on rote memorization but rather on conversation. It offers a unique linguistic learning environment that provides students the opportunity to speak their selected language in a real-life setting. Cultural awareness is learned through teaching about traditional geographic regions, traditions, customs, and foods. In addition, campers enjoy an exploration of cultures, which may include learning folk dances, cooking dishes from specific regions, or even taking a field trip to Manhattan for foreign language–themed productions on or off Broadway.
Fine Arts GirlSummer offers a dynamic program, investigating many fields and media of the fine arts. Moving from drawing and mixed media through painting and photography, fine arts students gain a broad view of modern working art. The program offers a review of the basics of proportion, lines, and shading while using charcoal, pencil, pastels, and markers to create an array of graphic presentations. Campers then move on to painting, implementing much of what has already been learned to focus on subject matter, use of color, and application of paint and style. The final topic of the session is digital photography, where students learn how to frame compositions and balance style, colors, and contrast.
Performing Arts Beginning with the building blocks of acting, students learn the tools professional actors use to create believable performances by working on scenes, monologues, and speeches. GirlSummer builds on this by allowing campers to study improv and musical theater. Girls are asked if they are comfortable in front of an audience, if they can be put on the spot, and what improv games they have tried. The weeks are then rounded out with dramatic acting, when everything the girls have learned is brought together. They can practice dialogue, monologue, emotional expression, voice, and more.
Writer’s Workshops This program offers students who love to write and students who want to improve their writing abilities the opportunity to work in intensive writing workshops of limited size. Discussion and ideas abound; the course is a comprehensive education in the craft of writing, and the program outlines the lessons needed to be a good writer. Main topics covered include introduction to writing, the mechanics of creative writing, journaling, blogging, poetry, and fiction writing. Off-campus field trips might include a visit to a major publishing house and talks with writers, editors, and others in the field.
Mock Trial Mock Trial is one of the fastest-growing extracurricular activities among secondary school students. The Emma Willard School team was the Rensselaer County Champion last year and placed second this year under the able leadership of a popular faculty member, and attorney, Mr. Brendan Randall. Mr. Randall has designed a special two-week curriculum just for GirlSummer and leads this summer’s innovative program for those who would like to learn how the American legal system works. Guided by a model that is used in most law schools around the country, students study the structure and process of dispute resolution and learn how to prepare and present mock trial cases as both attorneys and witnesses. This program covers the individual steps of a trial, from opening statements to closing arguments, and the fundamentals of the legal system, from pleadings to judgments. At each stage, the students videotape performances for individual and group evaluation.
Model UN The Model United Nations program presents a unique and engaging opportunity for students to learn about other cultures, current events, and international relations in a hands-on environment. From drafting resolutions in the General Assembly to resolving crises in the Security Council, students learn through doing. This summer, Emma Willard School’s model UN adviser, Mr. Brendan Randall, leads an in-depth program for girls who currently participate in model UN programs or simply would like to learn more about the United Nations and international relations. In each session, students represent specific countries and prepare for a model United Nations. The experience culminates with an exciting mock session.

Enrollment

To allow for small classes with individual attention, GirlSummer enrolls a maximum of 100 campers each session.

Extra Opportunities and Activities

Each academic camp goes on unique and exciting field-trip adventures. Depending on the program, field trips might include visiting a major college or university in the area, science centers or planetariums, French- or Spanish-themed events or restaurants, or a major publishing house to meet authors and editors.
    Each two-week session incorporates a Saturday excursion, known as Super Saturday, to local diversions and cultural attractions. Buses depart early Saturday morning for a variety of exciting destinations. Popular destinations include amusement parks, beaches, aquariums, music festivals, shopping malls, and Manhattan.

Facilities

All students stay overnight in the spectacular dormitory facilities located on campus and enjoy the first-rate services and amenities that full-time Emma Willard School students do during the school year. Campers are supervised by adult and junior counselors who live in the dorms with them.

Staff

Intelligent and energetic, the staff is the heart of the GirlSummer experience. From professional teachers to talented graduate and undergraduate students, all staff members participate in safety and training sessions. The maximum student-teacher ratio is 8:1.

Medical Care

Medical care is available 24 hours a day at nearby hospital facilities. All participants must submit comprehensive medical forms and proof of insurance.

Costs

The tuition for each two-week session is $2395. This includes all instruction; instructional materials; a breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day; a dorm room with linens; self-service laundry facilities; all sports and recreational activities; transportation for sponsored trips; admission tickets to excursion destinations; and total 24-hour supervision for the duration of each camp session. In addition, there is a $100 field-trip account that allocates spending money for each student on their academic and nonacademic trips.

Financial Aid

There is no financial aid available at this time.

Transportation

Airport pick-up and drop-off are available for an additional fee.

Application Timetable

Inquiries are welcome at any time. Applications are accepted until June 1. After June 1, acceptance to the program is based on availability.