Where kids can be kids!
Join us for our 2024 Summer Program!
We are offering six full weeks of summer programming ~ July 8th through Aug. 16th, as well as a short week ~ July 1st - 3rd.
School Around Us Summer Programs allow children to let go and be free from their structured lives during the school year. Our summer programs are designed to foster your child’s imagination and allow their creative self to shine.
Each week provides a structure that will fuel their ingenuity, allow their imaginations to run wild and become connected with one another. We understand the need for children to have untethered time for relationships to blossom and to find the joy that summer can bring!
Each week has a new theme!
The theme of the programming varies by week (see details below). Each week runs Monday - Friday, with the exception of the first week which is Monday - Wednesday. Our summer programs are guided by certified educators with extensive experience teaching and guiding youth programs.
Small group sizes
We intentionally limit our program size and maintain an 8:1 ratio to ensure we honor our holistic values. Read on below for full descriptions, rates, and FAQs about our programs.
Please note that payment must be received in full to reserve your child’s spot.
We are reserving 20% of our camp spots for Scholarship applicants this year! If you would like to apply for a scholarship based on financial need - Please complete the following form: 2024 SAU Summer Programs Financial Aid Application Do not purchase your spot(s) if you need further financial assistance.
Each day of summer programming begins at 8:30 and ends at 3:30 pm.
Barefoot & Wonderment
Ages 4-10
Week 1 - July 1st - 3rd
Week 3 - July 15th - 19th
Week 4 - July 22nd - 26th
Week 6 - Aug. 5th - 9th
Week 7 - Aug. 12th - 16th
What we love about this out-door program is that it brings out the best of summer where children can immerse themselves in play, or an activity, on their timetable.
There is a beautiful rhythm to our day, with a carefree atmosphere that allows children to flow through the counselor-led activities without pressure. Our counselors provide a rich variety of opportunities for the children to engage in from arts & crafts, science experiments and group games, to nature exploration. Children in this program love to spend time digging in our sandbox, swinging on swings, playing in the forts, and exploring the many acres of woods that surround School Around Us. The afternoons are filled with swimming at the beach, Bunganut Lake or water play on the school grounds. Each week will have a different feel as the activities offered reflect the interests of the children in the program. Sign-up for one week or multiple weeks and your child will surely be delighted.
Note: Weeks 3 & 4 are Full ~ Join our Waitlist here! to be notified should a spot open up
Magical Wizards
Ages 4-10
Week 2 - July 8th-12th
During this week the children will go on a magical fantasy adventure through the world of wizardry. Discover the wonders of wizards while you are creating your cloak, designing your wand and making magical potions. The children will gain knowledge of spells and the secret lives of wizards. Whether you have been using your wizard powers all of your life, or you are just beginning to discover the wizard inside you, there is something for everyone here. Our afternoons will be filled with swimming at the beach, Bunganut Lake or water play here at SAU. If wizards excite you, we invite you to join us in the magic.
Enchanted Kingdom
Ages 4-10
Week 5 - July 29th - Aug. 2nd
Enchanted Kingdom is sure to excite your child’s imagination. During this immersive week the children will partake in a magical quest. As the counselors tell the story of the quest the children will role play the adventure. Each day will reveal more clues that will get them closer to completing this magical journey. We will travel together in our imaginary world through the wooded acres that surround School Around Us. The children will work together to find hidden treasures, answer riddles, follow maps and slay dragons & other mythical beasts that cross our path. The first day will be a day of preparation. The quest will be revealed and we will create our wooden swords and other needed items for our journey. In the afternoon we will swim at the beach, Bunganut lake or play on the school grounds. Additional activities will flow from the creativity of the children and the magic that happens when we enter the imaginary world of mythical wonder.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
…about SAU Summer Programs
Is my registration refundable if I withdraw for illness or personal reasons (including Covid)?
In order to run our summer program, we are unable to refund due to any illness or personal reasons.
Does SAU accommodate disabilities, medical needs, and/or food allergies?
Please contact us in advance so we can determine if and how we can best support your child’s needs.
What is the child:staff ratio for summer programming?
We work to keep an 8:1 ratio.
Are staff @ SAU summer programs first aid trained and certified?
Yes! All of our summer program staff have CPR, first aid, and water-safety training and pass a background check.
What supplies, gear, snacks are provided during summer programming (and what do we need to bring from home)?
Children need to bring snacks, lunch, water bottle, bathing suit, towel, sunblock, and, if they are non-swimmers, a life jacket that’s appropriate for their weight (water wings do not count). All other materials will be supplied by SAU.
Will my child be swimming during SAU summer programming?
Yes! Swimming and water-play are part of our daily routine (weather permitting). All learners must either pass a swim test administered by our staff or wear an approved life vest while swimming. All SAU summer programming staff complete water safety training each spring.
If my child is almost 4 or just over 10, may they still enroll in SAU summer programs that are for ages 4 - 10?
Please call us and we can discuss this further to see if SAU would be a good fit for your child.
The program I want is full. Will you run a waitlist?
Yes! We will run a waitlist once a week is full. Join our waitlist HERE
How do your payment options work?
We have 3 payment options:
Actual Cost , Discounted Fee & Support a Camper.
Our Support a Camper payment option allows us to offer accessible programming options to more learners in our community! Choose this option if you are able to give more and help out.
The Actual Cost option is the full price we charge for a programming week.
We offer a limited number of Discounted Fee spots for each week of camp. There is no application for this option, we simply ask that if you choose this option you do so because of financial need and be mindful of allowing opportunities for many learners to experience our programming.
Do you offer financial aid outside of the discounted payment option?
Yes! We are reserving 20% of our camp spots for Scholarship applicants this year! If you would like to apply for a scholarship based on financial need - Please complete the following form: 2024 SAU Summer Programs Financial Aid Application Do not purchase your spot(s) if you need further financial assistance.
For any other questions please feel free to contact us at: office@schoolaroundus.org or 207-967-3143