<p>I am looking for advice. My S is entering BS in Sept and so far his only plan was to attend 1 week of scout camp this summer. Should I also be looking for an academic camp (programming most likely) or should I just let him have his downtime since Exeter will be so demanding? I have read both sides of this and am looking to hear what you all think as well as what your BSs recommend kids do during the summer. I read something in the Exeter paperwork about reading as many books that interest them over the summer. Is the philosophy of most BSs that they provide all the academics needed during the year and summers should just be for work experience or relaxation? </p>
<p>We are not sending S to “major” camps this summer, except some half day sports camp. I think he should spend more time reading extensively and improve writing and other ‘basic’ skills, which I believe will be very useful in BS. I did sign him up for a one week boarding music camp, but with the swine flu not going away, I am having second thought. Any insights?</p>
<p>IMHO - For rising freshman and sophomores, summers should be spent reading, traveling if possible, exploring passions whether its sports, fine arts, music, theater, whatever. If a child is weak in a particular academic area, perhaps some extra study is fine. Community service work is great to do. A paying job - if one can be found - never hurts. </p>
<p>Rising juniors and seniors often are busy with college campus visits, SAT prep, etc. so the younger years are great for being a little more carefree.</p>
<p>Like others, we encouraged our DD to spend her summers doing what SHE wanted. As it turned out-the summer before high school-she took 1 class at the nearby UC in a program for gifted students. The topic-culturalethnography. She LOVED being around other bright kids from all over California. She was required to write an 18 page final paper-nailed it and got an A. That seemed to boost her confidence going into high school.
She also participated in a local community play-LOVED that, too.
Her call-her summer.</p>
<p>The best advice I can give an incoming freshman: read a quality newspaper, e.g. the New York Times, cover to cover, every single day this summer. </p>
<p>Vocabulary acquisition, general knowledge of current national and world events, increased familiarity with concise writing styles, the benefits–and not just to his/her first-year English and history grades–are excellent.</p>
<p>Programming camp probably will be application-neutral for college admissions but, if your child wants to do it, he may benefit personally from the experience.</p>
<p>Thank you, GemmaV. I thought you’d given similar advice somewhere else so I stole it - almost. I was asking myself what was “extensively really” though. Now I think reading a quality newspaper as you suggested is definetely an effective way.</p>
<p>Kollegkid- yeah it would be because that’s what he is interested in- computer science/programming/game design and wants to major in that field some day. </p>
<p>He is also interested in the Robotics week long camp. Is that a better option as far as “looking good”. He says he is equally interested in robotics, programming/game design, meteorology and astronomy. I haven’t been able to find any of the other interests in a day camp near our house and he doesn’t want to go residential since he is
going away to school in Sept. If he goes to the computer or robotics camp AND scout camp he will only be in camp 2 weeks of the summer. We are not considering the 6 week long educational camps this year.</p>
<p>I think that the summer robotics program could end up looking modestly good as part of a complete presentation showing passion over time. I’d do it if it were me. Extra course work and activities related to a passion should be a small plus.</p>
<p>PAC – none of these programs do anything for your future college applications. If your son is passionate about programming/robotics and you are committed in 4 summers(rising 9 to rising 12) in sending him to a similar program, or better yet, one that builds on another, or start out with a program and morph it into a job/internship – then you can spin this into a “passion” that looks good to a college. Random programs do not. This is not to say they are without merit – treat it as a summer camp for teens. If your son enjoys this, then he will recharge/relax in such a program, which is what one can expect out of a summer.</p>
<p>I’m a believer of pursuing your passions. Both my high schoolers are going to short academic camps this summer. One is a math camp, the other is taking college courses in journalism and politics (she wants to be a lawyer). My older daughter also has a summer internship with a law firm. They are both applying for jobs as well but those are pretty scarse around here. Otherwise they’ll spend their time doing community service, reading great books (Moby Dick), and laying around by the pool. A good balance of activities in my opinion.</p>
<p>quality newspaper: gemmav mentioned new york times
Is the Boston Globe equivalent? or too liberal to be considered quality? ;)</p>
<p>I have to add this: we were discussing this idea during dinner and my husband said it sounded like fun to read a paper every day, and my son agreed! And they weren’t being sarcastic! I guess I am the dunce of the family!</p>
<p>A few short somethings that show passion and interest in college apps would be helpful. Summers after Sophomore and Junior years world-class something are critical, but before Freshman year, not so much.</p>
<p>Take time to breath and grow. Boarding school will be intense.</p>
<p>Earlier poster’s suggestion about keeping one’s quick-reading-of-big-book muscle toned and ready is good. BS really heaps on the reading.</p>