School’s out, summer’s in! What are two things that Minnesota and England summers have in common? They both are packed with outdoor beauty, and both host unforgettable camps focused on delivering high-quality educational adventures to our students.
Now is the time to plan how your camper will join in on their own summer of fun. ISM offers two summer programs: our local Discovery Kids Summer Camp program here on campus, and our SABIS® Educational Summer Camp for older students near Bath in the United Kingdom. Both programs give students the opportunity to make memories that last a lifetime.
ISM’s local program, Discovery Kids Summer Camp, sets the bar high because it serves as both a leadership opportunity for older students, as they can apply to be a camp counselor, and as an enriching educational experience for 3-12 year olds. The SABIS® Educational Summer Camp, ISM’s abroad program, is focused on students ages 12-17 and takes place in the midst of a 148-acre English country facility just 90 minutes from London and Oxford.
Discovery Kids Summer Camp
Discovery Kids Summer Camp, held on the ISM campus, is open to students throughout the Twin Cities. We have three age divisions: Husky Pups (for ages 3-5), Husky Pack (for grades 1-6), and Counselors-in-Training (for 13-14 year olds.)
Along with weekly themed activities (see below), the camp includes world languages; swimming, yoga, tumbling and other athletic activities, trips to nearby Bryant Beach, art projects, and play in our state-of-the-art STEAM room! All of our staff members have first aid and CPR training.
This year, Discovery Kids Summer Camp has tons of new additions on the horizon. From new themed weeks, like cardboard camp and wonder camp to all new workshops and field trips. “I’m the most excited for all the different workshops we have coming to camp! We’re adding a Snake Discovery, a local reptile zoo, and a YouTube content creator to visit our students during animal week,” says Summer Camp Director, Ariel Wilberg.
Weekly themes include:
- Week 1 (June 12-16): Wonder Week
- Week 2 (June 20-23): Nature Exploration Week
- Week 3 (June 26-30): Cardboard Adventures Week
- Week 4 (July 3-7): Flag Week
- Week 5 (July 10-14): STEAM Week
- Week 6 (July 17-21): Animal/Reptile Week
- Week 7 (July 24-28): Water Week
- Week 8 (July 31-August 4): Game Time! (Sports Week)
One of our camp counselor alums, Ava Kletti, reflects on her time as a counselor: “I could easily list 100 skills I learned as a camp counselor, but some of the most important things would be how to multitask, manage chaotic environments calmly, oversee relationship conflicts, and communicate with adults in a professional setting.”
She has lots of memories, but one of her favorites involved a “pup” who had trouble saying good-bye to her parents each morning. “She and I would sit alone together on the bench for a bit and watch the other campers play on the playground,” and gradually the younger ‘pup’ started talking more and coming out of her shell. That little girl has now gained an older mentor: “She now waves excitedly to me every time we cross paths at school!” On a very practical note, Ava points out that being a summer camp counselor is “one of the best summer jobs you can get, especially as a teenager or young adult.”
For more information on the camp counselor application process, please contact Ariel Wilberg at summercamp@ism-sabis.net. To learn more about Discovery Kids Summer Camp and registering your child for camp, click here.
SABIS® Educational Summer Camp in the United Kingdom
This summer, our High School students again have the chance to attend the SABIS® summer program at breathtaking Ashwicke Hall Estate. The program will use the stunning English countryside as a setting to teach “soft skills” like resilience, teamwork, self-confidence, and discipline. ISM alum, Prima Sissini, reflects on the friendships and connections she made during her own visit to Bath: “I still have friends to this day who were students at SABIS® schools in Jordan and the U.A.E., and about once a year we connect, catch up, and talk about our experience together at camp. My network now spans not only the U.S., but the world!”
Depending upon the time one attends, the wide range of courses run the gamut from filmmaking, coding, digital marketing, and sports ranging from waterpolo to volleyball to soccer… or, as the English prefer, “football.” Students can also participate in individual sports like cycling or hiking, take a cooking class, or brush up on chess skills. Of course, more typical academic courses in the arts and sciences will also be offered.
The close affiliation between SABIS® and the Manchester City Football Performance Program also means that registered campers can partake of professional soccer training at the City Football Academy in Manchester City.
Students in grades 10 or 11 can participate in the SAT preparation and University Orientation Program, which includes visits to top universities in the U.K., as well as activities like horseback riding (English style, of course!) and participating in other arts and cultural activities.
If your student will be from 12-17 years old this summer, consider having them join the over 200 students from more than 39 different nationalities who will be enjoying the summer programs at Ashwicke Hall this year. Here’s a video of last year’s program:
You can also download a camp brochure and learn more about trips, activities, and related costs here: https://educationalsummercamp.sabis.net/
Remember your students' love of adventures, learning, and all-around growth as the traditional school year ends. What better way to put lifelong learning into action than through our exciting, fun, and educational summer programs. Summer, here we come!
