A Premier Summer Program for Girls

Summer Academy Mount Holyoke (SAMH) is a summer academic program for girls from across the country and around the world. Located on the campus of Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts, this two-week program offers girls in grades 7–11 an opportunity to immerse themselves in a subject they love. Classes include creative arts, veterinary science, fashion design, forensic science, documentary filmmaking, equestrian studies, and leadership and service.

Students choose one subject to focus on during their two-week stay. Classes, taught by talented and experienced faculty, are hands-on, interactive, and project-based. Class sizes are small, ensuring that each student receives plenty of individualized attention.

During the day, students spend morning and afternoon sessions in classes and going on field trips. In the late afternoons and evenings, they build friendships through shared experiences—exploring Mount Holyoke’s beautiful campus, using the recreational facilities, and attending seminars and movies. At the end of each day, there’s plenty of time to relax and socialize.

Summer Academy Mount Holyoke College is a premier summer residential program for girls.

About Us

sessions are two weeks,

opening on a Sunday

and closing on Saturday.

Session 1: July 1-14

Session 2: July 15-28

www.mhcsummeracademy.org

Equestrian Center The Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center is one of the finest facilities for educational and competitive riding available to students anywhere. Its facilities include a 65-stall barn, two indoor arenas, a permanent sand dressage arena with Eurofelt footing, an outdoor show ring, and a cross-country course and trails for hacking.

Science Center Home to one of the nation’s top undergraduate science programs, state-of-the-art Kendade Hall features interconnected classrooms, faculty offices, and laboratories that foster cross-disciplinary work. Outfitted with advanced scientific instrumentation, Kendade is the nexus of the Mount Holyoke College Science Center.

Art Center (Film) From cameras to canvas to computers, studio art study encompasses both classical mediums and cutting-edge technologies. The Mount Holyoke College Art Museum is one of the oldest teaching museums in the country. Its comprehensive permanent collection of more than 14,000 objects supports classes in all eras of art history. The museum also presents critically acclaimed exhibitions of challenging, provocative work by contemporary artists.

Rooke Theater The Rooke Theatre seats 192 in an intimate wood-paneled theatre. The stage is 25 feet wide, with 22 line sets in the fly loft and a fully equipped shop directly upstage. There is also a black box theatre for class use and student produced work.

Residence Halls The Princeton Review likens Mount Holyoke’s residence halls to “palaces.” Some dorm buildings are stately neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque halls; others are modern buildings with dramatic views of Mount Holyoke’s two lakes. Each hall has handsomely furnished common areas, laundry facilities, a breakfast area, and a computer room.

Mount Holyoke College Located in South Hadley, Massachusetts, Mount Holyoke College is a highly selective, nondenominational, residential, research liberal arts college for women. Mount Holyoke is renowned for educating women leaders, from medical pioneers to Pulitzer Prize-winning playwrights.

Mount Holyoke College is one of the nation’s best institutions for undergraduate education. According to The Princeton Review 2011 edition of The Best 373 Colleges, the College was ranked first in the category of “best classroom experience” and was also highly rated in other categories, including “most politically active students” (#3), “most beautiful campus” (#7), and “school runs like butter” (#9).

Our Campus

Our Classes

Creative Arts: Painting, Drawing & Mixed Media

Filmmaking 101

Fashion Design & Portfolio Development

Veterinary Science

Forensic Science

Equestrian Studies

Leadership & Service

7 great classes!

choose one

per session

Bring your ideas and your talent to life in this creative arts course for young artists who want to take their work to the next level. You’ll discuss current trends in art and design and build your imaginative and technical skills as you develop a portfolio of your artwork.

Skills and Personal Expression You will spend time building important creative skills – from drawing and painting to sculpture and mixed media. You will improve your skills in visualization, using charcoal, pen, pencil, and paint to draw objects and forms from direct observation in two dimensions, and you will also work in three dimensions, using found materials.

Portfolio Development All artists need a quality portfolio that showcases their skill and talent. Portfolios can be used as part of the college application process, especially for schools that specialize in the arts. Portfolios are also critical to pursuing a career or getting gallery shows. Whatever the state of your current portfolio, you will leave the summer session with a stronger and more advanced presentation.

Creative Arts

Filmmaking 101

Fashion DesignTake your fashion ideas from the workshop to the runway! Develop a strong fashion portfolio as you design and create your own stylish clothes. You will learn to visualize designs with paints and markers, gain skills at using color and texture, and get inspired looking at the fascinating history of fashion renderings. Whether you’re a beginner or have some background in design, you’ll leave this program with a deeper understanding of the world of fashion design and illustration.

Each day will start in our design lab, where a master costumer and fashion designer will teach you figure drawing and tips for designing flattering clothes for different body shapes and sizes.

You will spend afternoons in our hands-on costume shop, learning how to construct your designs. Draping and drafting techniques, selecting fabrics, and using patterns are some of the many things you’ll learn. Students at all levels of sewing experience, from beginning to advanced, are welcome.

You will be sewing from day one, and you will collaborate with your classmates on creating a runway fashion show for the entire camp. For this exciting final project you’ll pull together an ensemble from your built pieces, complete with shoes, jewelry, and accessories from our extensive collection.

Do you love movies? Have you ever wanted to make your own? Filmmaking 101 is a hands-on, challenging course for budding filmmakers.

Week 1 Under the guidance of the lead teacher and experienced filmmaker, you will spend the first week learning all about camera work, audio recording, and sound and picture editing. You’ll have the chance to use Mount Holyoke’s high-tech digital video cameras and sophisticated audio and editing equipment. You will also learn how to interview people and how to design and organize a real film project.

Week 2 During the second week of the session, you will focus on individual or group film projects, as you work to complete and screen your own documentary film. Film classrooms come equipped with iMacs and Sony Digital VCRs. You will use Canon Vixia HF M41 video cameras and Sennheiser MKE microphones, and edit your work with iMovie or Final Cut Pro.

At the end of the program, you will be well on your way to developing your own personal filmmaking style and approach.

Veterinary ScienceDo you love animals? Do you want to immerse yourself in the world of veterinary science? Explore topics such as comparative anatomy, animal husbandry, and basic medical treatment.

This course centers on two main areas of study: lab work and fieldwork.In visits to local veterinary offices, you will observe veterinary science in action and gain an understanding of important topics related to the profession. Depending on the vet’s schedule, you may even have a chance to watch surgeries and other procedures.

You will also spend time visiting Mount Holyoke’s renowned Equestrian Center. You’ll meet the school horses, see how they are handled and groomed, and learn from Equestrian Center staff about their health and upkeep. (Please note: This class does not include riding.)

Most class sessions will be held in a campus science lab, where you’ll dissect animal brains, eyes, and other organs, as well as study larger physical systems in detail. You’ll learn about the anatomy of large and small animals, focusing on systems that are similar to those found in human beings. (If you don’t wish to participate in dissections, you may elect to opt out.)

Forensic Science

Practice real forensic science techniques and have fun at the same time in this course designed for budding crime solvers. Modern crime shows often feature forensic science—but how real are they? We will look at the way the entertainment industry portrays crime scenes and detection, and then learn what the true forensic scientist does.

Topics include the history of forensic science, proper investigatory techniques, and crime scene analysis. Working in one of Mount Holyoke’s science labs, you will perform experiments and study outcomes. You’ll study fluid analysis, spatter analysis, decomposition rates, and much more.

The course culminates in the study of one or more mock crime scenes. You will collect evidence, search for fingerprints and other organic clues, study the location and disposition of evidence, document the scene with photographs and interview suspects. Together with your classmates, you’ll use your new forensic skills to interpret and solve the case.

Equestrian Studies

Leadership & ServiceLearn skills that will help you succeed in the horse show ring. Under the guidance of highly experienced equine professionals at Mount Holyoke’s state-of-the-art Equestrian Center, you’ll build confidence, develop a winning attitude, and gain skills applicable to riding a variety of horses.

Daily activities include multiple rides, lessons in horsemanship, and team building exercises. Mounted lessons will be divided by riding level and interest. At minimum, hunt seat riders must be capable of completing a jump course of at least eight jumps at the 2’3” height. Those interested in focusing only on dressage must be capable of riding a training level test.

Unmounted lessons will cover nutrition, veterinary care, horse show and stable management. Riders will also have ample time to simply enjoy the horses and the beautiful surroundings.

Mount Holyoke enjoys a national reputation as an intercollegiate riding powerhouse. Its teams are nationally ranked by the IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association), the IEA (Interscholastic Equestrian Association), and the IDA (Intercollegiate Dressage Association). The Equestrian Center includes a 65-stall barn, two indoor arenas, a permanent sand dressage arena with Eurofelt footing, an outdoor show ring, and a cross-country course and trails for hacking.

Do you like taking an active role in your school or community? Do you spend time thinking about the issues facing us as citizens of the global community and how you can make a difference? If so, then this class is for you.

You’ll dive into deep discussions and share your own experiences in group exercises. Topics include: how females are represented in the media and often feel pressured to live up to idealized images; why people can work hard and yet still struggle to make ends meet; who has access to resources like fresh food and safe water, clean air, green spaces, libraries, and the Internet—and who doesn’t. (You might be surprised!) You’ll study documentary videos, debate points of view, and then get out into the community to see what people are doing about these issues.

Mount Holyoke, a leader in connecting students to the larger community, has strong ties to local groups that work hard for change: girls’ clubs, media-access non-profits, environmental groups, organic farms, and food banks. You and your classmates will visit these groups not only as helpful volunteers but as learners and partners in discussion. Organization leaders will share their insights about why their work matters and how it fits into the larger puzzle.

The class will culminate in a group project that gives students the chance to participate in a meaningful way and to experience the satisfaction that comes with making a real contribution. You will return home with lots of exciting new ideas and practical skills for putting your thoughts, hopes, and dreams into action.

Community

The community that students and staff create together is at the heart of the program. This sense of creation and responsibility is vital, and each session has its own unique group dynamic.

Roommates are assigned based on the classes students are taking, as well as their ages and their geographic locations. Our resident assistants (RAs) and staff live in the residence halls with students and plan fun, engaging extracurricular activities. Leadership activities and public speaking opportunities are incorporated into many activities. Each student will have the chance to grow and shine, and to develop the confidence and skills that are critical to her future success.

Summer Academy Mount Holyoke staff members are talented and energetic professionals in their chosen fields. They include Mount Holyoke professors, coaches, staff members, and others with strong academic and teaching backgrounds. Most importantly, our staff is committed to student safety and to making the program as enjoyable and rewarding as possible.

Our TeamHere are a few snapshots of our talented faculty.

Ashley Martinez, Program Director Ashley joins us with a wonderful variety of experiences and talents. She is a graduate of the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, and is currently pursuing acting and teaching at Columbia University. She brings a wealth of experience in theater, teaching and camp environments. She has spent many summers working with academic and creative summer programs, including a summer as Residential Director of an all-girls’ program at Bryn Mawr College. Ashley has worked with professional theater companies across the country, directed and choreographed productions for the stage, and developed educational theater for, and taught with, many renowned organizations.

Elaine Bergeron, Lead Teacher, Fashion Design and Portfolio Development Head Costumer, Costume Shop Manager, Mount Holyoke College Department of Theatre Elaine teaches fashion design and construction courses, manages the costume shop, and designs costumes for Mount Holyoke theatre productions. She has more than 25 years experience working in theater, film, and fashion as a designer, crafts person, and manager. While living in New York City, she worked several seasons of fashion at Gruppo GFT, including prêt a porter lines for Valentino, Ungarro, and Joan and David. Her costume design work has been seen at Hartford Stage, The Hartt School at University of Hartford, and Brown University. Her film and television work includes “The Man Without a Face,” the cult classic “Tales From the Dark Side,” and the Cable Ace-awarded “Fallen Angels” for Showtime. Elaine also works as a freelance costume designer, runs an online vintage clothing business, and consults as a textile appraiser.

Rachel Dowd, Lead Teacher, Filmmaking 101 Rachel studied film in Mount Holyoke College’s nationally recognized department of film studies, where she gained both technical expertise and a deep understanding of the art from a variety of critical and disciplinary perspectives. In the summer of 2010, she traveled the country making documentary films with the non-profit organization, Pick Up America. She served as a judge for the Five College Student Film and Video Festival and is co-organizing the 2012 “Women, Social Justice, Documentary” film symposium at Smith College. Her academic advisor and mentor, associate professor of film studies Robin Blaetz, is a leading film scholar and recognized authority on women in film, experimental cinema, and documentary film.

Tara Lynch, Lead Teacher, Equestrian Studies IEA Coach, Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center Tara started her riding career at a young age. Under the tutelage of trainers Martha and Armand Chenelle of Windcrest Farm, she successfully competed at state and national championships, earning numerous awards along the way. As a student at the University of Connecticut, Tara joined the IHSA Equestrian Team and rode her way to becoming the college’s first rider in more than 36 years to achieve the honorable title of Cacchione Cup Winner. She competed in the IHSA National Finals for four years, capturing additional awards including two Reserve Championships.

Tara was a special education teacher for three years. In 2011, she became the head coach for the Mount Holyoke Interscholastic Equestrian Team. She is passionate about and dedicated to providing her riders with the opportunities to achieve their goals as championship riders. Tara is a volunteer as the historian, banquet co-chairman and equitation committee member for the Connecticut Hunter & Jumper Association. In 2011 she was the recipient of the CHJA Distinguished Service Award. She has three horses, Unity Hillan Dale, Surf City Smoothie, and Honey.

Activities & EventsAfter classes end each day, our students enjoy the amenities of a premier college campus. Our resident assistants organize social activities both for the afternoon period before dinner and for the evening, such as tie-dyeing, crafting, seminars, movie nights, trust games, and power of voice exercises.

Field Trips: Super Saturday and Off-Campus Learning On the weekend in the middle of each session, all students participate in our Super Saturday trip. This year we will ride in comfortable, air-conditioned buses to Boston, a city rich in culture and history and home to some of the country’s top colleges and universities. We’ll explore the city in supervised, chaperoned groups, sightseeing and shopping with new friends. On Sunday (we call it Sleepy Sunday), we sleep in and then enjoy a quiet day on campus with a slate of relaxed activities and events organized by the resident assistants.

Sample Weekday Schedule 7:30 – 8:30 8:45 – 9:00

9:15 – 11:45 Noon – 12:45

1:00 – 3:45 4:00 – 5:30 5:30 – 6:30

6:30 – 11:00

Breakfast Morning Meeting Classes (with breaks) Lunch Classes (with breaks) Afternoon Free Time and Activities (Sports, Exploration, Computer Labs, etc.) Dinner Evening events (Seminars, movie nights, trust games, free time, mocktail parties, etc.)

Enrollment

Enrollment Process Admission is rolling and class size is limited. We do not require letters of recommendation, transcripts, or essays. Online applications will be accepted up until the program is full or one week before the start date of your desired session. We recommend that all students submit their online application and deposit as early as possible to reserve their spot.

Online Application and Deposit Go online to www.mhcsummeracademy.org, and click the “Register” button. Select your session and course, and enter the required information. A per student, per session, non-refundable deposit of $250 is required with each online application and is payable through our secure online system via credit card or e-check. Upon completion of your application and deposit, you will receive a confirmation email with a Welcome Pack attached as a downloadable PDF. You may also download a copy of the Welcome Pack and health forms via our registration system. Please review all information in the Welcome Pack: this includes our policies, forms, items to bring, and directions to campus.

June 1 Deadline and Late Registration The enrollment contract, health forms and final payment are due by June 1. Students applying after the June 1 deadline may incur a $100 late registration fee and must submit all information and payment upon application.

Residential Student Tuition Our all-inclusive tuition is $2695 for a two-week session. You can add a second session for a 25% discount. Tuition includes room, on-campus meals and activities, course materials, facilities, and academic field trips. For any students staying for both sessions, our Saturday stay-over is free.

Optional Airport Transportation Service We offer pick-up and/or drop-off service from Bradley International Airport (BDL). One-way service is $95, and round-trip is $175. Staff members escort students to and from campus. SAMH provides or arranges for all vehicles and drivers. Detailed instructions on how to request this service are provided in your welcome pack email. Student itineraries and payment must be submitted by June 1.

Refund Policy On or before June 1, all tuition, including any additional charges, will be refunded excluding the $250 non-refundable deposit, per student, per session. After June 1, we are unable to refund tuition for any student who withdraws or is dismissed after the start of the camp session.

866.928.2897 • www.mhcsummeracademy.org

I’m flying to camp, can someone pick me up? Yes. The College offers drivers and vans to pick up and drop off students at Bradley International Airport (BDL). Summer Academy staff members escort students to and from the airport. For those who choose this service, full payment and travel information must be submitted by June 1.

Can I bring my cell phone or laptop? Students may bring their cell phones; however, we have a strict cell phone policy, and students must leave their phones with the camp office when they arrive on Sunday. We do this for two reasons: phone use can be disruptive to the learning environment, and it can prevent students from connecting with the new friends and mentors around them. Students may take cell phones on all off-campus trips. When students are on-campus, students and parents may reach each other 24 hours a day through the program office and security office phone numbers. Students may not bring personal laptops to the program but will have access to campus computers.

How well supervised are the students while attending Summer Academy? Safety is our top priority and students are never without supervision. With our experienced, highly trained staff and 24-hour campus security, we provide the necessary supervision to ensure the safety and well-being of our students at all times.

Questions

Who comes to Summer Academy? SAMH is perfect for any student interested in immersion in a chosen field of study as well as experiencing life on a college campus. Our students are bright, motivated thinkers who are looking to explore their interests in a setting that is much more than just summer school. Our hands-on, project-based classes are perfect for ambitious, creative students.

Students also come to SAMH for the wide variety of evening activities and the lively interaction with everyone in the program – from the directors to the resident assistants to students in other classes. In the process, they discover role models and make new friends. Our activities are designed to foster community and build students’ leadership and public-speaking skills.

Who will my roommate be? What are the residence halls like? Students are matched by age, course choice, geographic location, and the information provided in the roommate section of the application. Our staff live on each floor to provide security and oversight. We take care to ensure that roommates and hallmates have a wonderful experience. Mount Holyoke’s campus is one of the most beautiful in the nation, with charming and beautiful residence halls.

866.928.2897 • www.mhcsummeracademy.org

866.928.2897 • www.mhcsummeracademy.org