Harker’s summer programs kicked off during the first week of June, offering a vast array of academic and recreational programs to students in grades K-12.

This year’s Summer Institute began June 7 and offers for-credit courses to Harker upper school students. The institute offers three-week and six-week courses that are equivalent to those taken during the academic year, and include classes in math, science, art and English.

Kamya Arora, who starts as a freshmen at Quarry Lane School in the fall, enrolled in a ceramics class at Saratoga for the summer. “It’s really fun, because we get a lot of materials that we can use so we’re not really limited by what we don’t have,” she said. “I find it really exhilirating to have a lot of projects.”

Another ceramics student, Stevenson High School rising sophomore Nurihan Park, said he likes the class “very much” because he and other students are afforded “a lot of freedom” to create.

A driver’s education course wrapped up June 14, while the Forensics Institute begins in August and will provide students with the opportunity to improve their competitive debating skills in events such as the public forum debate, Lincoln-Douglas debate and policy debate. New to the Forensics Institute this year is the Forensics Experience, where a week is devoted to training for the student congressional debate before moving on to individual events.

Harker’s Summer Camp for K-Gr. 8 students has also returned, providing a well-rounded combination of academics and recreational activities. At the camp, which began June 21, students spend the mornings learning subjects such as math, language arts and science. In the afternoons there is a wide variety of fun activities to enjoy, including sports, music, arts and dancing. Campers will get to go on field trips to several California landmarks.

For kindergartners, the Kindercamp prepares students for the fall semester by teaching basic language and math skills. Students who stay for the afternoon play games, make crafts, hear stories and will also take field trips of their own.

Harker summer camp is offered in four-week and two-week sessions. The second four-week session runs July 19-Aug. 13, while the remaining two-week sessions run July 6-July 16 and July 19-July 30.

Finally, the English Language Institute (ELI), Harker’s intensive program for students who wish to improve their English speaking and writing skills, got under way in late June. Students are learning vocabulary, study skills, reading comprehension, grammar, writing and oral presentation. Students also get to practice their newfound skills by conversing with native English speakers. ELI has proven to be a valuable aid to international students hoping to gain admission to American boarding schools and English international schools. New to ELI this year is the Primary Program for beginning English speakers ages 6-8. The program is held at Bucknall and furnishes an environment designed specifically for the youngest participants in the program.

Summer athletic programs
The Swim School, which began June 7 and runs until Aug. 6, is offering quality instruction to swimmers as young as 3 years old—watch for the whole story, soon!

Just in time for World Cup fever, Harker’s Soccer Clinics have returned to bring professional instruction to soccer lovers ages 5-16. Two options are being offered this year. The Training Clinic, for ages 10-16, and Just4Kicks for ages 5-12.

Tennis Camp, running through Aug. 6, features two programs, both headed by Craig Pasqua, Harker tennis coach and a certified professional with the United States Professional Tennis Association.

Coverage of this year’s summer programs will continue as the season progresses. Please visit the Summer @ Harker website for more information.