This story originally appeared in the spring 2014 Harker Quarterly.
In just a few short months, The Harker School will become a one-stop-shop for summer programs for K-12 students, both locally and from around the globe. Enrollment is already on the rise for Harker’s rich and varied summer offerings, which once again will include a camp for young children, an institute for middle school- and high school-aged students, a program for foreign students to learn English, a large and varied sports camp and a swim school. New this year is a special VIP tour for the foreign students. Below is a preview of all that Harker Summer will offer.
Summer Camp+ will feature a fun circus theme called “Under the Big Top.” The popular K-6 camp will include a wide variety of circus-related activities, guests and special events.
Held on the lower school campus, Summer Camp+ provides morning learning experiences followed by age-appropriate afternoon electives. Students in grades 1-6 will have the option of enrolling in two different academic morning programs called Core Focus and Learning Opportunities in Literature (LOL).
Core Focus is a more traditional learning environment with language arts, math and academic electives for each grade level. LOL features academic courses designed around a literary theme. This year LOL will focus on the work of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss. Both programs feature the same afternoon options, including arts and crafts, dance, water play, wall climbing, archery and array of other field sports.
The program offers something for everyone, according to Joe Chung, program director of Summer Camp+ and elementary computer science teacher. On-site happenings often include a patriotic games bash, a water carnival, a sleepover for older campers, a presentation for parents and a birthday celebration for camp mascot “Ray.” Campers also partake in numerous field trips, including bowling, miniature golf, the Oakland Zoo and Coyote Point.
Last year enrollment for camps and other summer programs skyrocketed to a record-breaking 2,740 participants across all campuses.
“We were thrilled and delighted at the incredible turnout for Harker summer last year … and are already seeing a jump in enrollment for this year!” enthused Kelly Espinosa, longtime director of summer programs.
The Harker School has offered extensive summer programs for more than 50 years. The Summer Camp+ program is accredited nationally by the American Camping Association.