Middle Explorer

List of 6 items.

• Athletics

  Basketball
  Girls participate in age-appropriate games while receiving instruction in individual skills such as ball handling, shooting and passing.
  
  Pickleball
  An exciting game that has nothing to do with pickles! Experience daily practice of serving and scoring with an opportunity to play with a teammate.
  
  Soccer
  Spend time out on the field practicing skills and making new friends.
  
  Sports Conditioning
  Work hard, play hard, and get ready for your next competitive season with a variety of activities such as running, spinning, aqua jogging, strength training, and stretching. Girls enjoy scavenger hunts, relay races, and other games that make fun and friendship a part of training. This program is ideal for girls training for a fall sport or beginning athletes looking to explore fitness and develop a love for exercise. The Sports Conditioning program is a double elective and is led by Erin Hatton, Emma Willard's head cross country coach and Division I collegiate Nordic skier.
  
  Swimming (Open Swim)
  Girls have the opportunity to cool off and participate in this fun Open Swim activity in our aquatic center under the supervision of two Red Cross certified lifeguards. Pool depth: The shallow end is 4 feet and the deep end is 12 feet. Level of Beginning Swimmer is required. A swimming test will be administered on the first day for those enrolled in free swim. Swimmers are required to bring their own towels.
  
  Tennis
  Bring your racket and learn new skills on the court.
  
  Volleyball
  Girls receive instruction in fundamental volleyball skills and game strategies. Practice sessions and mini competitions will be used to develop essential volleyball skills. Learn to bump, set, spike, and serve.
  
  Zumba
  Fun, friends, fitness! Have a rockin', movin', and groovin' time at Zumba! Girls of all ages will get active by learning and creating their own routines to pop songs. It is like one big dance party!

• Visual Arts

  Bead Shop
  Create art that you're proud to wear! Choosing from more than 100 colors, shapes, and sizes of beads, girls will create necklaces, bracelets, anklets, earrings, rings, and more!
  
  Cartooning
  Referencing the wide variety of pen-to-paper cartoons, this elective explores visual storytelling. Come ready to refine practical drawing skills and work towards a completed piece to share.
  
  Ceramics
  Explore the exciting world of ceramics through slab and coil hand-building. Girls may create a variety of kiln-fired ceramic pieces such as bowls, cups, mirrors and wind chimes. The emphasis of this class is on creative imagination, technique, and design.
  
  Craft Workshop
  Engage in a variety of hands-on projects including jewelry making, collaging, basic clay work, and other fun experiences.
  
  Drawing and Painting
  Girls learn technique and work to develop skills and abilities as they complete a variety of projects.
  
  Kite Making
  Get ready to take flight. The right materials and the right design come together in this elective. Be ready to design, build, and fly your own kite.
  
  Mixed Media
  This art experience offers the chance to explore and blend various art media. A mixed-media approach is used to allow freedom of expression.
  
  Origami
  Explore the art of papermaking and paper folding by learning to make flowers, animals,
  stars, and more!
  
  String Bracelets
  This is the elective for you if you would like to create colorful, long-lasting string bracelets for yourself, family, and friends. Get ready to discover new patterns as you work on your own pieces.

• Performing Arts

  Dance – Jazz
  Already have some dance experience? Take the opportunity to dance to fast-paced popular music as they work through warm-ups, isolations, combinations and across-the-floor patterns. Girls will experience the energy of both individual and group dance.
  
  Dance – Hip-Hop
  Explore this dynamic and engaging dance form. Express yourself as you learn techniques, create moves, and rehearse routines for end-of-session performances.
  
  Singing and Songwriting
  For the girl who has a beat in her mind and is ready to bring it to guitar and beyond. Consider this your GirlSummer Garage Band!
  
  Theater - Broadway Bound
  If you are interested in musical theater, this mix of drama, song and dance is for you! Guided by talented drama and dance instructors, girls will have the chance to work with familiar musical selections and scripts, rehearsing and developing a particular song to perform.
  
  Theater - Stars of Tomorrow
  Come experience the major elements of theater in a relaxed atmosphere! Girls will learn to express themselves through voice and movement, while participating in activities such as script-writing and improvisation. Leave feeling comfortable and confident performing in front of a small group.
  
  
  

• Reading/Writing

  Newspaper
  This hands-on, student-centered, experiential class puts our girls in charge of reporting on life at GirlSummer. Students will spend the first eight days writing, reporting, interviewing, and photographing the big stories of GirlSummer. On the final day of camp, they will distribute the newspaper to everyone. Come and join the GirlSummer newsroom!
  
  Women Sheroes (She-Heroes) in History
  Who are the women who have shaped history? This elective is for anyone looking to expand their understanding of historical events and the important, daring roles women have played. We call these women “sheroes” for a reason!

• STEM

  Care and Keeping of Plants
  Plants can add a brightness to a space and can provide nutrients to living creatures outside. Create your own mini garden sanctuary to take home and brighten up a space that brings you joy.
  
  Chemistry
  Mix anything interesting lately? Learn how to combine everyday items to create curious concoctions and potions for a variety of uses.
  
  Physics
  Motion! Friction! Electricity! Put on your lab coat and get ready for science experiments that will rock your world.
  
  Zoology
  A deep dive into the animal kingdom! Learn more about what makes your favorite animals tick.

• Adventure/Life Skills

  Challenge Island
  Adventure lovers! Through a series of individual tests and team tests you will figure out ways to achieve results. Can you undo a human knot? What about making your way from one side of the Triangle to the other with just two planks of wood? This elective is all about strategy.
  
  Mars Colony
  Do you wonder what kind of city might be built on Mars one day? Design and build a prototype out of everyday materials.
  
  The Mindful Hour
  An hour to explore the many ways that we can slow down and appreciate what is in front of us through meditation, mindful activities, and games.
  
  Self-Defense
  We all need to feel confident in protecting ourselves. Learn skills that will take your confidence to a new level.
  
  Survival and Life Skills
  Learn how to start a fire, use a compass, how to stay warm and dry, find safe sources of water, change a tire, know your own emergency list, know what to do in danger situations, and better know your surroundings — how to be more observant in our everyday lives.