Who is drumming on your chimney? Who is making that high-pitched song before the sun rises each morning? Why do we only notice it during certain times of the year? During this introductory birding course, we will enjoy time out in the field with binoculars and field guides to learn how to use both sight and sound to identify the birds we are most likely to find in our own neighborhoods and parks. We’ll not only learn who’s calling, but also what they’re talking about! By the end of this course, you will know a lot more about your feathered neighbors and how to make our homes and communities more welcoming to native wild birds.

Ever want to be a DJ? Do you find yourself dreaming up tunes and beats? In this class, you will learn the basics of music production and editing using Audacity, a digital audio workstation. Our week will culminate with a class party (dancing optional), in which we share our musical creations.

Do you look just like the rest of your family or very different? Have you ever wondered why people have the traits that they do? Take an active role in learning about DNA and genetics in this hands-on course. Throughout the week students will explore what genes do and how they work. By the end of the week students will apply their knowledge to create the genome of their own fictional creature.

Create unique animations and video games with Python, a widely used general-purpose programming language! You'll start off with drag and drop lines of code, then get into editing individual lines as you learn to make projects your own. Each class introduces a new skill or concept with a new program to create. At the end of the class, you'll create a final program of your own design!

This course will “dive” into one of the most unexplored environments on our planet, the oceans! We’ll explore the driving forces behind oceanic phenomena like El Niño/La Niña, tsunamis, beach erosion, and tidal exchanges. From the shallow shores to the deepest, darkest depths, students will gain a better understanding of what makes the ocean such a unique environment for aquatic life - and a driving force of our planet’s ever changing climate and weather patterns. We’ll survey a local beach, learn to read tide and current charts, experiment with different aquatic living conditions, and learn about water quality and safety. 

Come investigate the wild world of optics! Build our own room-sized camera to learn how your eyes work and then explore how movies and optical illusions have tricked your eyes. Projects may include creating our own optical illusions, to creating our own animated moving images!

Do you have an interest in other worlds and technologies? Do you enjoy fiction that makes you ponder, "What if ...?" In this course, students will read works of science fiction and fantasy to understand how the two genres differ and where they overlap. Using these texts as models, students will create a fantastical realm, develop the characters that inhabit these unique worlds, and consider plot lines that invite the reader on an adventure propelled by the question: What if ...?

If you can dream it, you can make it! Students will explore the world of sculpture through clay, paper, wire and felt. Students will have fun while learning different sculpture techniques and mediums. They will create a variety of 3D art projects such as reliefs, animals, food vessels, and more!

Through this one-week course, students will delve into basic Spanish vocabulary and structures through engaging in hands-on activities and projects. For example, students will learn about and cook traditional Latin American pastry (such as alfajores), while simultaneously acquiring vocabulary and language skills related to cooking. Additionally, students will be making colorful animal puppets while learning about words for body parts, colors, and actions in Spanish. This course integrates language acquisition with the joy of arts, crafts, and cooking, fostering a holistic understanding of Spanish language and culture. The course is meant to be an enriching experience where language comes alive through exploration, creation, and cultural discovery. This is a beginning-level course designed for students who are new to Spanish.

You may think of a professional mathematician as a pensive individual seated at their desk or standing over a board covered in complex mathematical symbols. In reality, everyone can think like a mathematician, as long as they are open to conjecture, exploration, ambiguity, and the formation of new ideas and connections.  Thinking like a Mathematician revisits elementary mathematical ideas through a new lens, not as formulas to remember but as naturally occurring truths which are all around us in the world.  This inquiry-based course will explore puzzling pictures, perplexing patterns, and powerful propositions. Come join us for some mathematical fun and discovery!

Students in this class will learn to present hot-button issues in a concise, clear, persuasive way through mock debates. They will learn how to organize ideas, write speeches, and present a line of reasoning. Have fun getting into friendly yet lively arguments about real-life issues!

Through chef demonstrations and hands-on cooking, you’ll learn a variety of cooking skills. We will discuss basic cooking methods and tips, ingredient selection, and plating techniques. Around the world you will go, having fun while learning to cook the fresh, exciting flavors of Asia; iconic cuisines of the Americas; and the aromatic flavors found throughout the Mediterranean. Our cooking boot camp will culminate in a friendly group “top chef” competition on the final day of our journey!

What makes a product fly off the shelf? How do internet “influencers” successfully market products? Why do people love slime videos so much? What is an “elevator pitch”? If you have wondered about the answers to these questions, this is the course for you! Using the design- thinking process, learn to create a product, build a marketing strategy, and pitch it to a panel of judges in a “Shark Tank”-like competition at the end of the week.

Design, prototype, test, and redesign your way to success! We will be using this process to make towers, bridges, and more during this week in the makerspace. By the end of the week, you will be able to engineer a safe landing for an egg-stronaut! 

Take a trip into the past to learn about the early days of Musical Theatre, and then fast-forward into discovering the pop/rock stylings that are heard on Broadway today. In addition to learning about how to create those styles with your voice, classes will also explore character development and finding a commanding stage presence, so that you act and sound like a star!

Take your learning to new heights by exploring the science behind flight. Learn the elementary principles of flight such as lift, weight, thrust, drag, and Bernoulli’s Principle. Then apply your knowledge to hands-on experiments involving rocketry and drones. The week culminates in designing and building your own flying machine!

Run off your post-lunch energy by playing field sports! With a focus on fun and teamwork, our activity leaders will organize and coach a different game every day. Games may include: dodge ball, kick ball, soccer, and capture-the-flag.

Campers have the opportunity to attend the athletic camp offered on the Upper School campus (accompanied by camp counselors) as their afternoon class.  There is an additional $50 fee for this option.  

Campers have the opportunity to attend the athletic camp offered on the Upper School campus (accompanied by camp counselors) as their afternoon class.  There is an additional $50 fee for this option.  

Do you enjoy playing chess and want to learn some of the game’s fundamental strategies and tactics? In this course, students will learn several strategies and tactics, including opening gambits, forks, skewers, and endgame tactics. Students will study games played by past Grandmasters, learn some of the history of chess, and have the chance to play live games with classmates. Your move!

In this course, you will delve into the world of comics, cartoons, and visual storytelling. We will explore a wide variety of illustration styles through various reading selections, including classic comic strips, political cartoons, and excerpts from manga and graphic novels. We will then create our own cartoons and comics, practicing how to express character and emotion by combining words and pictures. No artistic skills are required for this course, though a passion for doodling is strongly encouraged!

What does it take to solve a crime? Put your skills to the test to see if you can figure out who did it. Learn how to determine the blood type of a blood sample, analyze fingerprints left at the scene, examine hair and fiber samples, learn about DNA, and study bones. Assemble your evidence by the end of the week to identify the culprit.

Learn how to code animations, interactive art, and games! Start with simple shapes and build up to more sophisticated sprite-based games, using the same programming concepts and the design process computer scientists use daily. You will complete a personalized, interactive program that you can share on the Internet.

From the elegance of Chinese Calligraphy and Ink Painting to decoding the mysteries of the Zodiac, this summer course blends language acquisition with hands-on activities. Engage your mind and body in the ancient movements of Tai Chi, master the art of dumpling making, and craft intricate stories through the traditional arts of paper cutting and folding. Join us for an exciting journey into the rich and vibrant culture of China through the exploration of various art forms! This is a beginning-level course designed for students who are new to Mandarin.

From microscopic copepods to underwater forests and massive sharks, the marine environment is teeming with impressive organisms, ecosystems, and phenomena to investigate. During this introductory marine biology course, we will learn about the diversity of marine ecosystems on Earth and then take a deeper dive into the organisms we’re most likely to encounter here on our beaches in the Puget Sound. We’ll use microscopes to take a close look at live plankton samples and we will also investigate some of the conservation issues that most impact our waters. At the end of the week we will visit the intertidal to observe and actually meet some of our favorite local marine species!

Enjoy math? Do you like to play with numbers? Do you love finding patterns? In this class, you will explore many areas of mathematics by solving puzzles and playing games. We will find mathematical patterns everywhere, and use it to make art and predict the future. Build your math and logic skills while you explore great math puzzles and games, some which have stumped people for generations and others which are completely new inventions.  Join us for some puzzle-solving fun!

In describing mathematics, the physicist Richard Feynman once said, “If you want to learn about nature, to appreciate nature, it is necessary to understand the language that she speaks in.” In this course we will unpack visual patterns to be found in mathematics to create two- and three-dimensional artwork. From Celtic Knots to Platonic Solids to Escher’s famous tessellations, we will use patterns and designs to create eye-pleasing artwork which exemplifies the visual beauty of mathematics.

Color is such a fun and exciting way to explore one’s creativity! This week, students will learn the basics of acrylic paint color mixing, brush techniques, and how painting can be incorporated into all kinds of artistic creations! Completed projects will include canvas paintings, integration with collage, and beautiful free-form marbled papers. All levels of experience are welcome.

In this course, students will learn the importance of iterative design. By planning a project with the needs of the user in mind, choosing your resources carefully, making an initial build and tweaking their designs, students will have the opportunity to engage in the entire design cycle through a number of hands-on projects, including building bridges, a launching device, model airplanes, and more!

Students in this class will learn to present hot-button issues in a concise, clear, persuasive way through mock debates. They will learn how to organize ideas, write speeches, and present a line of reasoning. Have fun getting into friendly yet lively arguments about real-life issues!

Through chef demonstrations and hands-on cooking, you’ll learn a variety of cooking skills. We will discuss basic cooking methods and tips, ingredient selection, and plating techniques. Around the world you will go, having fun while learning to cook the fresh, exciting flavors of Asia; iconic cuisines of the Americas; and the aromatic flavors found throughout the Mediterranean. Our cooking boot camp will culminate in a friendly group “top chef” competition on the final day of our journey!

Compete with each other and yourself to build and program LEGO robots in a team! Try to improve on your robot’s performance through the week as you complete a series of increasingly difficult challenges, culminating in a race through a labyrinth!

Discover what it takes to make it on Broadway as you explore what it is to be a "triple-threat" (singer/dancer/actor). Classes will involve developing acting skills, singing-techniques, and basic dance choreography. Whether you have performance experience or just like to sing in the shower, this is a chance to be inspired and reach for the stars!

Have you ever wondered how roller coasters stay on their tracks? Or why you stick to the wall in a Gravitron ride? Learn about Newton’s laws of motion, centripetal force, kinetic energy, and much more in this fun, physics-filled course. Study bumper cars, carousels, and roller coasters to learn about the laws of physics. Students not only learn about how rides work but also design and build a model of an original amusement park ride! During the design of the model, students encounter many of the same issues that real-world engineers address.

What do angles have to do with it? You might be surprised to learn that your favorite sport is all about ... math and physics. Yes, physical strength and agility do play a role, but the best athletes know their angles, literally. Top athletes train and learn the stats regarding angles and the basics of science, whether that is ice friction, velocity of the ball, or parabola of a winning shot. Take your game (whichever one it is) to the next level by learning the math and science behind sports!

Run off your post-lunch energy by playing field sports! With a focus on fun and teamwork, our activity leaders will organize and coach a different game every day. Games may include: dodge ball, kick ball, soccer, and capture-the-flag.

Campers have the opportunity to attend the athletic camp offered on the Upper School campus (accompanied by camp counselors) as their afternoon class.  There is an additional $50 fee for this option.  

Campers have the opportunity to attend the athletic camp offered on the Upper School campus (accompanied by camp counselors) as their afternoon class.  There is an additional $50 fee for this option.  

Vital functions such as learning, reasoning, and language are all cognitive abilities powered by our brain! In this course, students will discover the function of major parts of the brain and how they affect motivations, perceptions, and actions. Topics covered in this class will include how the brain affects behavior, memory and learning, sleep, vision, touch and pain, stress, and mental illness. This course includes extensive open discussions, hands on modeling, the history of neurosurgery, and even a brain dissection! 

Who is drumming on your chimney? Who is making that high-pitched song before the sun rises each morning? Why do we only notice it during certain times of the year? During this introductory birding course, we will enjoy time out in the field with binoculars and field guides to learn how to use both sight and sound to identify the birds we are most likely to find in our own neighborhoods and parks. We’ll not only learn who’s calling, but also what they’re talking about! By the end of this course, you will know a lot more about your feathered neighbors and how to make our homes and communities more welcoming to native wild birds.

Ever want to be a DJ? Do you find yourself dreaming up tunes and beats? In this class, you will learn the basics of music production and editing using Audacity, a digital audio workstation. Our week will culminate with a class party (dancing optional), in which we share our musical creations.

Do you look just like the rest of your family or very different? Have you ever wondered why people have the traits that they do? Take an active role in learning about DNA and genetics in this hands-on course. Throughout the week students will explore what genes do and how they work. By the end of the week students will apply their knowledge to create the genome of their own fictional creature.

Create unique animations and video games with Python, a widely used general-purpose programming language! You'll start off with drag and drop lines of code, then get into editing individual lines as you learn to make projects your own. Each class introduces a new skill or concept with a new program to create. At the end of the class, you'll create a final program of your own design!

This course will “dive” into one of the most unexplored environments on our planet, the oceans! We’ll explore the driving forces behind oceanic phenomena like El Niño/La Niña, tsunamis, beach erosion, and tidal exchanges. From the shallow shores to the deepest, darkest depths, students will gain a better understanding of what makes the ocean such a unique environment for aquatic life - and a driving force of our planet’s ever changing climate and weather patterns. We’ll survey a local beach, learn to read tide and current charts, experiment with different aquatic living conditions, and learn about water quality and safety. 

Come investigate the wild world of optics! Build our own room-sized camera to learn how your eyes work and then explore how movies and optical illusions have tricked your eyes. Projects may include creating our own optical illusions, to creating our own animated moving images!

Do you have an interest in other worlds and technologies? Do you enjoy fiction that makes you ponder, "What if ...?" In this course, students will read works of science fiction and fantasy to understand how the two genres differ and where they overlap. Using these texts as models, students will create a fantastical realm, develop the characters that inhabit these unique worlds, and consider plot lines that invite the reader on an adventure propelled by the question: What if ...?

If you can dream it, you can make it! Students will explore the world of sculpture through clay, paper, wire and felt. Students will have fun while learning different sculpture techniques and mediums. They will create a variety of 3D art projects such as reliefs, animals, food vessels, and more!

Through this one-week course, students will delve into basic Spanish vocabulary and structures through engaging in hands-on activities and projects. For example, students will learn about and cook traditional Latin American pastry (such as alfajores), while simultaneously acquiring vocabulary and language skills related to cooking. Additionally, students will be making colorful animal puppets while learning about words for body parts, colors, and actions in Spanish. This course integrates language acquisition with the joy of arts, crafts, and cooking, fostering a holistic understanding of Spanish language and culture. The course is meant to be an enriching experience where language comes alive through exploration, creation, and cultural discovery. This is a beginning-level course designed for students who are new to Spanish.

Students in this class will learn to present hot-button issues in a concise, clear, persuasive way through mock debates. They will learn how to organize ideas, write speeches, and present a line of reasoning. Have fun getting into friendly yet lively arguments about real-life issues!

Through chef demonstrations and hands-on cooking, you’ll learn a variety of cooking skills. We will discuss basic cooking methods and tips, ingredient selection, and plating techniques. Around the world you will go, having fun while learning to cook the fresh, exciting flavors of Asia; iconic cuisines of the Americas; and the aromatic flavors found throughout the Mediterranean. Our cooking boot camp will culminate in a friendly group “top chef” competition on the final day of our journey!

What makes a product fly off the shelf? How do internet “influencers” successfully market products? Why do people love slime videos so much? What is an “elevator pitch”? If you have wondered about the answers to these questions, this is the course for you! Using the design- thinking process, learn to create a product, build a marketing strategy, and pitch it to a panel of judges in a “Shark Tank”-like competition at the end of the week.

Learn to use the laser cutter to make art! We will combine laser cut pieces with hand drawing and crafting with makerspace materials to make storytelling crankie boxes, cozy miniature book nooks, and more!

Take a trip into the past to learn about the early days of Musical Theatre, and then fast-forward into discovering the pop/rock stylings that are heard on Broadway today. In addition to learning about how to create those styles with your voice, classes will also explore character development and finding a commanding stage presence, so that you act and sound like a star!

Take your learning to new heights by exploring the science behind flight. Learn the elementary principles of flight such as lift, weight, thrust, drag, and Bernoulli’s Principle. Then apply your knowledge to hands-on experiments involving rocketry and drones. The week culminates in designing and building your own flying machine!

Run off your post-lunch energy by playing field sports! With a focus on fun and teamwork, our activity leaders will organize and coach a different game every day. Games may include: dodge ball, kick ball, soccer, and capture-the-flag.

Vital functions such as learning, reasoning, and language are all cognitive abilities powered by our brain! In this course, students will discover the function of major parts of the brain and how they affect motivations, perceptions, and actions. Topics covered in this class will include how the brain affects behavior, memory and learning, sleep, vision, touch and pain, stress, and mental illness. This course includes extensive open discussions, hands on modeling, the history of neurosurgery, and even a brain dissection! 

Do you enjoy playing chess and want to learn some of the game’s fundamental strategies and tactics? In this course, students will learn several strategies and tactics, including opening gambits, forks, skewers, and endgame tactics. Students will study games played by past Grandmasters, learn some of the history of chess, and have the chance to play live games with classmates. Your move!

In this course, you will delve into the world of comics, cartoons, and visual storytelling. We will explore a wide variety of illustration styles through various reading selections, including classic comic strips, political cartoons, and excerpts from manga and graphic novels. We will then create our own cartoons and comics, practicing how to express character and emotion by combining words and pictures. No artistic skills are required for this course, though a passion for doodling is strongly encouraged!

What does it take to solve a crime? Put your skills to the test to see if you can figure out who did it. Learn how to determine the blood type of a blood sample, analyze fingerprints left at the scene, examine hair and fiber samples, learn about DNA, and study bones. Assemble your evidence by the end of the week to identify the culprit.

Learn how to code animations, interactive art, and games! Start with simple shapes and build up to more sophisticated sprite-based games, using the same programming concepts and the design process computer scientists use daily. You will complete a personalized, interactive program that you can share on the Internet.

This interactive class takes campers through the process of creating motion graphics by introducing students to the principles and elements of motion design. Topics include title overlays, motion title sequencing, dynamic backgrounds, and 3D movement. No experience is necessary, simply a creative mind and an interest in media production!

From the elegance of Chinese Calligraphy and Ink Painting to decoding the mysteries of the Zodiac, this summer course blends language acquisition with hands-on activities. Engage your mind and body in the ancient movements of Tai Chi, master the art of dumpling making, and craft intricate stories through the traditional arts of paper cutting and folding. Join us for an exciting journey into the rich and vibrant culture of China through the exploration of various art forms! This is a beginning-level course designed for students who are new to Mandarin.

From microscopic copepods to underwater forests and massive sharks, the marine environment is teeming with impressive organisms, ecosystems, and phenomena to investigate. During this introductory marine biology course, we will learn about the diversity of marine ecosystems on Earth and then take a deeper dive into the organisms we’re most likely to encounter here on our beaches in the Puget Sound. We’ll use microscopes to take a close look at live plankton samples and we will also investigate some of the conservation issues that most impact our waters. At the end of the week we will visit the intertidal to observe and actually meet some of our favorite local marine species!

Color is such a fun and exciting way to explore one’s creativity! This week, students will learn the basics of acrylic paint color mixing, brush techniques, and how painting can be incorporated into all kinds of artistic creations! Completed projects will include canvas paintings, integration with collage, and beautiful free-form marbled papers. All levels of experience are welcome.

In this course, students will learn the importance of iterative design. By planning a project with the needs of the user in mind, choosing your resources carefully, making an initial build and tweaking their designs, students will have the opportunity to engage in the entire design cycle through a number of hands-on projects, including building bridges, a launching device, model airplanes, and more!

Students in this class will learn to present hot-button issues in a concise, clear, persuasive way through mock debates. They will learn how to organize ideas, write speeches, and present a line of reasoning. Have fun getting into friendly yet lively arguments about real-life issues!

Following the path of Greek mathematicians and Middle Eastern scholars, students in this class will create original works of geometric art while exploring the artistic concepts of pattern, motion, and movement. Topics for research and learning may include: history of the circle, mandalas, parabolic curves, working with a compass, solar symmetry, using a stencil, rotation along a point, and optical illusions. Socratic discussion and reflective critique will conclude each day.

Through chef demonstrations and hands-on cooking, you’ll learn a variety of cooking skills. We will discuss basic cooking methods and tips, ingredient selection, and plating techniques. Around the world you will go, having fun while learning to cook the fresh, exciting flavors of Asia; iconic cuisines of the Americas; and the aromatic flavors found throughout the Mediterranean. Our cooking boot camp will culminate in a friendly group “top chef” competition on the final day of our journey!

In the fourth week of Makerspace, explore circuitry with a variety of hands-on activities. Create a simple circuit by making a brushbot and enter it in a race with those of your fellow campers. Engage in sewing activities involving conductive thread and LEDs, and design and create your own plushy with facial features that light up. Learn how to do simple coding with the BBC micro:bit, a pocket-sized computer that has several built-in sensors. Continue learning about circuitry by creating fun and engaging games to play with your peers, using the micro:bit, test leads, tinfoil, and cardboard.

Discover what it takes to make it on Broadway as you explore what it is to be a "triple-threat" (singer/dancer/actor). Classes will involve developing acting skills, singing-techniques, and basic dance choreography. Whether you have performance experience or just like to sing in the shower, this is a chance to be inspired and reach for the stars!

What do angles have to do with it? You might be surprised to learn that your favorite sport is all about ... math and physics. Yes, physical strength and agility do play a role, but the best athletes know their angles, literally. Top athletes train and learn the stats regarding angles and the basics of science, whether that is ice friction, velocity of the ball, or parabola of a winning shot. Take your game (whichever one it is) to the next level by learning the math and science behind sports!

Run off your post-lunch energy by playing field sports! With a focus on fun and teamwork, our activity leaders will organize and coach a different game every day. Games may include: dodge ball, kick ball, soccer, and capture-the-flag.