Summer Camps & Programs

Program Description

Academic Camps at Gettysburg College

Summer Academic Camps
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

		Program Description Program Overview Visit Web Site Get Free Info See Photos

For More Information, Contact
Academic Camps at Gettysburg College
300 North Washington Street, Box 2994
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325
800-289-7029 (toll-free)
http://www.gettysburg.edu/academiccamps/

Type of Program: Academic enrichment
Participants: Coeducational, students entering grades 9–12
Enrollment: 50–100 students each session
Program Dates: Multiple two-week sessions in June and July
Head of Program: Douglas Murphy, Executive Director

Location

Academic Camps at Gettysburg College (ACGC) is located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on the campus of the nationally recognized, coeducational residential college of liberal arts and sciences. Just 80 minutes by car from Washington, D.C., the campus lies on 200 acres in a historic town that is home to an array of stores, restaurants, and cultural and historical attractions, including Gettysburg National Military Park.

Background and Philosophy

The ACGC experience is a two-week-long immersion in a stimulating and fun on-campus academic environment. Designed to further its participants’ scholastic aptitude and broaden their academic interests within a dynamic, structured environment, the program’s unique curricular approach was developed specifically to pique the students’ interests and challenge their abilities. Academic Camps at Gettysburg combines rigorous yet interesting academic endeavors during the day with great evening and weekend activities.

Program Offerings

Astronomy Gettysburg’s summer astronomy students have full use of all of the College’s state-of-the-art facilities, including the Hayden Planetarium, a radio telescope, 8-inch Celestron and Meade telescopes, computer labs, and bright night skies. Program activities include charting stars and solar systems, observing solar flares, and building spectroscopes and sundials. In addition, all students visit the National Air and Space Museum, the Naval Observatory (where students receive privileged access to areas that are otherwise restricted), and the Maryland Science Center.
College Prep and Preview ACGC’s College Prep and Preview gives high school students a head start on the college admission process. By the end of the session, each student has developed her or his 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 tours and visits with admissions officers.
Service and Leadership In this program, students learn to set service-oriented goals for improving the well-being of a population, an environment, or a way of life. The satisfaction that comes from guiding a plan through to fruition is deeply rewarding. Throughout this two-week workshop, students develop their leadership skills and the ability to work effectively in teams. They engage in hands-on projects and off-campus mini-internship experiences. All instruction is geared toward the creation of new skills to effect change, both interpersonally and within the local community. Gettysburg College’s proximity to Washington, D.C., is invaluable in learning about and addressing service issues.
Spanish Language and Culture The program is designed for any ability level and is based not on rote memorization, but rather on conversation. Offering a unique linguistic learning environment, the program provides students with the opportunity to speak their selected language in a real-life setting. Cultural awareness is learned through teaching traditional geographic areas, traditions, customs, and foods. In addition, campers enjoy an exploration of cultures, which might include learning folk dances, cooking dishes from specific regions, or taking a field trip to Manhattan for foreign language–themed productions on or off Broadway.
U.S. Civil War This program takes advantage of the amazing resources offered by the College, including teachers and teachings from the Civil War Institute (CWI) and its surroundings. Whether students are Civil War buffs or they simply have an interest in history, this program enhances their understanding of the Civil War and how it shaped the nation. Topics include the events that led to war (a broad introduction that explores the issues of slavery, economics, and the cultural clash between North and South in the antebellum period and the decade of crisis that began in 1850), the conflict (an examination of the lives of soldiers, civilians, and leaders as well as the details and consequences of military operations), and Reconstruction (a study of the Civil War’s aftermath from social, economic, and political perspectives).
Creative Writing Workshop Students who love to write and students who want to improve their writing abilities get the opportunity to work in intensive writing workshops of limited size; discussion and ideas abound. This program is a comprehensive education in the craft of writing, and it outlines the lessons students need in order to be good writers. Main topics covered by the students include an introduction to writing, the mechanics of creative writing, journaling, 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.
Psychology The study of consciousness, the subconscious, and behavior is a favorite among college students everywhere. This intensive course, which was designed by a member of Gettysburg’s faculty, utilizes the College’s resources. The curriculum revolves around the core philosophies of the Psychology Department. Students experience class work at a level that demands focus and concentration. This is a great opportunity to survey the major areas of study in psychology today. The program features hands-on studies and compelling lectures that touch on the many ways students can contribute to the field. Some of the areas of study that are currently producing exciting results are human interaction, mental illness, infant development, personality, adolescent behavior, the brain and the mind, chemicals and drugs as they impact human experiences, and detailed examination of emotional and cognitive processing on a biological level.
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. ACGC builds on this by allowing campers to study improv and musical theater. Students 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 students have learned is brought together. They can practice dialogue, monologue, emotional expression, voice, and more.

Enrollment

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

Daily Schedule

	Though actual schedules may vary, the following is a typical schedule for program participants.
	7:30 8:00 9:00 9:15–10:30 10:30–10:45 10:45–12:00 12:00–1:00 1:15–2:30 2:30–2:45 2:45–4:00 4:00–5:30 5:30–6:30 7:00–8:00 8:00–11:00 11:00 Rise and shine Breakfast Announcements Classroom session I Morning break Classroom session II Lunch Classroom session III Afternoon break Classroom session IV Sports, activities, free time Dinner Special events Movies, games, free time Students in rooms (most nights)

Extra Opportunities and Activities

Each two-week session incorporates a Saturday excursion, which is known as SuperSaturday, to Hersheypark. Session 1 students get to see Civil War reenactments.
    Each academic camp goes on unique and exciting field trip adventures. Depending on the program, participants might visit a major college or university in the area, science centers or planetariums, Spanish-themed events or restaurants, or a major publishing house to meet authors and editors.

Facilities

All students stay overnight in the College’s spectacular dormitory facilities and enjoy the first-rate services and amenities that full-time Gettysburg students experience 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 ACGC 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; 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, which allocates spending money to each student for field trips.

Financial Aid

No financial aid is available at this time.

Transportation

Transportation to and from Baltimore/Washington International Airport is 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, and applications must include a late fee of $100.