Now that we have had an opportunity to breathe and celebrate the schools that we and our children have chosen, I was wondering if anyone is sending their child to a summer program at their prep school or another prep school. Do you think this will ease the separation anxiety that us first time parents will face in September. Regardless of which school or summer program was selected, we will miss our children. I am not really asking about which programs are better than others but more about the transition. If there is anyone who has experience with this I’d be interested in hearing about your experience.
My vote would be for keeping your child home and enjoying them before they head of for boarding school. Savor those summers together. I’d fear the risk of burnout more than the benefits of early adjustment. Plus, the demographics and dynamics between summer programs and the “real thing” is very different. 
^^^This.
^^same! If our DD has some success in her sport this summer she will go to a competition for about 5 days but that’s it.
Thank you all for your votes, however going to the summer program is a requirement of the program that assisted us with her application process. My daughter is used to rigor so I am not really worried about burnout during the summer since it is only 2 classes and 2 extracurriculars. She will have a month at home before going to school in September. She is actually very excited about the summer program.
Our school has an optional short summer program for incoming freshmen that almost all domestic students opt to do. No grades, lots of info on study skills, dorm life, and a lot of activities to meet classmates. It makes the transition to the school year very easy. Nice upperclassmen are counselors and remain as mentors for the first year. DS gsve it as big thumbs up.
@gardenstategal this is a similar program. My daughter is still trying to decide which extracurriculars she wants to do because there is so much to choose from. Last night it was graphic design and ultimate frisbee and this morning it was dance and theater. Not sure what it will be tomorrow but it is due on Monday. :-).
@Sarrip , better that than hating all the options!
Maybe one arty one and one sporty one? Ah to be young!
“My daughter is used to rigor so I am not really worried about burnout during the summer since it is only 2 classes and 2 extracurriculars.”
Burnout isn’t only about academics and academic rigor. It’s also about living away from home. not having the family time/connection, living in a small dorm room with others, etc. Summers and vacations are a good break from all that grind, IMO.
" however going to the summer program is a requirement of the program that assisted us with her application process"
Curious to what this means, @Sarrip. Is this like a Prep for Prep type program or an outside placement counselor situation?
@doschicos, It’s a program called The Wight Foundation. It is a free program for children who are interested in attending Boarding Schools. Unlike some of the programs, there is no income caps and it not a program that is geared towards minorities only. The child and parents do need to apply and it is pretty competitive program where you are matched with a minimum of 12 boarding schools. There are different components of the program through out the year and you have to be invited back to the next component. If you are still in the program at the end of the year you are placed in 1 of the 12+ boarding schools that you were matched with. It does not guarantee a free ride. It’s a year long program that assists with the application process as well as assisting with interviewing techniques, strengthening academic skills, study habits etc. They follow your child into college and assist with that process as well. It is a family commitment but was well worth the ride. When my daughter began we were not sure that we wanted her to attend boarding school but as we went through the program and she successfully completed each component, interviewed and was invited back, learned more we warmed up to the idea. When she began last year there were approximately 800 initial applications for the program, There are , I believe 32 students placed and graduating from the program this year.
@Sarrip Thanks for the info! Sounds like a great program and a helpful resource for families. I hadn’t heard of it before. Kudos to your daughter for making it through the competitive process. It’s nice how they continue to provide resources and support throughout BS and into the college.
DS2 had proclaimed, “I’m NOT doing a single thing this summer!” So I let him and he stayed home all summer relaxing and playing video games. He went to one week local Boy Scout camp but that was it.
That was mainly because he was burned out and had very very busy summer the year before:
2-week full-day local leadership camp as follow up to the previous year’s 5-week science program,
Traveled and visited grandparents and cousins for about 2-3 weeks. Immediately after returning home,
went on a 20-hr train ride to California for Boy Scout Camp about 9 days, then
3-week CTY summer camp in Pennsylvania.
In between, prepped SSAT, 20 minutes at a time, that involved more nagging than actual working.
His answer to ‘what did you do in summer?’ during fall interviews at boarding schools was quite long.
My daughter doesn’t want to go to anywhere this Summer since she is going to leave home this Fall.
@payn4ward, one thing I can say and this may sound like the “Bad Parent” is that I will get some rest this summer. 
DS has a friend who is a Carolyn D. Bradley scholar and they strongly suggested he participate in the BS summer program the summer before 9th grade. Maybe it was required - I’m not sure. He enjoyed it and liked getting a feel for campus while taking a few classes.
DS spent 7 weeks at overnight camp with no technology summer before 9th grade. We got to visit him once - otherwise it was old fashioned letter writing. He had been going to this camp for years and had planned to go for the full summer that year for years - even before he considered boarding school.
@sarrip, that program sounds great! Anything that provides preparation and intention is always helpful. Kudos to your daughter (and you!)
@MA2012, never heard of the Carolyn D. Bradley scholars program but I looked it up and it sounds excellent. But then again, I never heard of the program that my daughter is in until we went to a high school fair or the scholarship she was offered until she was a finalist (not even sure who referred her.) That’s the great thing about CC, the information sharing.
Just FYI for anyone interested Wight Foundation it is for 5 counties in NJ.
@MA2012 I just want to add that I do know of a young man who graduated from the program who did not come from one of the 5 surrounding counties. He actually came from Mercer or Camden County which is pretty far away. He actually took the train which was over an hour each way every Saturday and Wednesday night. I don’t believe they will turn down anyone who meets the criteria and will make the commitment to the program for the year. I really hope someone out there will consider the program because as their slogan says, they made a “World of Difference” in our lives. Also, SSAT Prep is included.
Good to know. We are in New England so a bit too far to recommend to people around me.