SURE, WORKING AT AN ICE CREAM shop over the summer break has its advantages. There’s the air conditioning, all the Mocha Chip Delight you can eat and the paycheck that ironically barely covers your gas to get to work.
But what if you could spend part of your summer exploring, meeting new people, learning new things, having fun and even earning college credit? That’s exactly what many summer programs offer!
Whether you choose a college-sponsored program held on campus or a national (or international) program that immerses you in a relevant environment you’ll find something that will make your summer memorable enough that you’ll forget all about the free ice cream. Here are a few to consider:
ON-CAMPUS OPTIONS
• If you’re thinking of going into a health-related field be sure to check out Emory University’s (www.precollege.emory.edu) pre-college (non-credit) courses. Two-week courses include “Current Concepts in Sports Medicine” “Pre-Med Studies: The Anatomy of Movement” and “Exercise as Medicine.” There’s also a three-week “Infectious Diseases Institute.”
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers some of the coolest hands-on summer programs for high school students who like math science and engineering (www.daytonabeach.erau.edu/degrees/summer-camps). From the residential flight camps and robotics to animation and G.E.M.S. (Girls Exploring Math and Science) few programs will give you a better taste of engineering.
• Northwestern University’s National High School Institute (www.northwestern.edu/nhsi) welcomes outstanding high school students to enroll in one of three divisions: debate theatre arts or film and video production. While living on campus students gain practical college-level experience tackle new challenges and interact with college faculty.
INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAMS
• Junior State of America (www.jsa.org) is a civics education and leadership program for high school students interested in the law politics government foreign affairs and education. The three-week summer programs combine academics debate hands-on learning and speakers. “Pre-college summer programs are the ultimate preparation for life in college,” says Jeff Harris CEO of the Junior Statesmen Foundation. “The academic preparation is critically important as students become familiar with the collegiate learning environment and expectations. Moreover students and their families confront the new challenges presented by living and studying away from home for a longer period of time.”
• National Student Leadership Conference (www.nslcleaders.org) offers high school students the opportunity to experience firsthand what it’s like to live on a college campus and learn through hands-on experience in their field of choice. The 14 youth leadership programs include forensic science intelligence and national security medicine and healthcare and journalism film and media arts to name a few.
• National Geographic Student Expeditions (www.ngstudentexpeditions.com) offers expeditions photography workshops field workshops and community service programs. The in-depth adventures range from 11 days to three weeks with participants exploring some of our country’s most beautiful locations (e.g. The Grand Canyon Alaska Yellowstone) or a wide variety of international destinations (e.g. Tanzania Peru Iceland India China).
As for what to look for when choosing a program Harris says rather than checking a required course off your academic load enroll in a program that is stimulating intellectually which will make any academic work seem engaging and fun. “Another bonus [of pre-college summer programs] is the chance to meet other people with the same interests and make lifelong friends,” he says. The best advice he’s heard from parents? “Since it’s your summer you should do what you enjoy.”
Here’s hoping your parents are that cool!
