From June 23 to August 8, D-E will once again be in summer mode - Summer Connections mode, that is! American Camp Association-accredited just last year in 2013, the popular summer program for Pre-K through 12th grade will be back in action, offering the opportunity for students from D-E as well as the surrounding community to spend six weeks learning while having fun.

Whether it's Summer Discoveries or Summer Adventures, the Lower School programs are taking our youngest students around the world, without even leaving New Jersey. The 3-5 year olds will explore various terrain on Earth, from the Ocean to the Plains, while our Adventurers (ages 6-10) will visit different continents and regions, starting with the Arctic and Pacific. These full-day camps will transform our youngest campers into global jet setters by the end of the six weeks (please note - only the Lower School programs run from June 23 to August 1, one week before Enrichment and Scholars).

Offered June 30 to August 8, the Enrichment program gives students (ages 11-14) some popular courses to take - as mentioned in the Summer Connections brochure: Debate, Web Design, Watercolors, Stained Glass, Science Medley and Cheftastic - as well as a few new ones: Zentangles, 3D Printing and Beatles Guitar Camp. Enrichment students choose three courses per week (and some are even two-week options), ranging from academics to arts; most wrap-up with a production/presentation at the end of their week(s) that other campers and parents alike are welcome to attend. This year, even Upper School students can partake in the fun with select Enrichment courses that will be offered to 9th-12th graders for the first five weeks, June 30 to August 1.

Those students who would like to get a head start in their upcoming school year can opt for the Scholars classes, available at both the introductory and advanced levels. These English, Mathematics and Science courses can be credited in lieu of a regular academic-year class.

Several other special programs are also offered at points throughout Summer Connections' duration, from sports camps to SAT prep to String Society and Violin Kaleidoscope. Some of the more adventurous Upper Schoolers can even opt to go to another country - through D-E in Spain, now in its 18th year at the University of Salamanca, or this year's student-led, service-based World Challenge trip to South America.

Summer Connections Director Shakeh Tashjian acknowledged in the brochure's welcome letter the wide range of courses for students to choose from, "...whether you are looking for an introduction, a chance to hone skills or a brand new discipline."

We welcome students still looking for something to do to join us at Summer Connections! Visit www.d-e.org/summer for more information or to apply.