Overview
Summer Writing Program
for 7th-10th graders
No single skill is of greater importance in school—and in life—than the ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Overland’s Summer Writing Program offers our students the chance to spend two weeks focusing on the mechanics and process of expository writing. More than that, though, our Summer Writing Program offers our students the chance to be a part of an ideal learning environment—mornings in small classes with inspiring teachers and afternoons outdoors with dynamic Overland leaders. Learning and fun, indoors and out in a small, spirited group (no more than 12 students or fewer than 2 leaders) —a great way to spend two weeks improving your writing.
Our Summer Writing Program is based in Williamstown, Massachusetts. We’ll be in class every morning, writing and revising under the guidance of a master teacher and two Overland leaders (who are specially chosen for their love of writing and their enthusiasm for working with young people). In a supportive, comfortable setting, students will gain an understanding of the writing process. We’ll break writing down into steps: brainstorming, outlining, writing a first draft, reading aloud, editing, revising and producing a finished product. We’ll focus on expository writing but will have fun, too, with poetry and short stories. Excited and confident, students will take risks in their writing and surprise themselves with the results.
Every afternoon, we’ll head outdoors to enjoy the fun of exploring Williamstown and the surrounding Berkshire countryside by foot and bike—making the most of the long summer afternoons. In the evening, we’ll come together for dinner and dessert, reading, writing and games. At the end of the two weeks, each student will have had the chance to improve his or her writing and, as a result, build his or her confidence, while making friends and having fun in a close-knit, supportive and enthusiastic Overland group.
Learning should not be drudgery; it should be fun. With inspired teachers and a healthy balance of time “in school” and outside activities, the Summer Writing Program offers an energized educational experience. Please join us for a week of learning and fun.
“Our daughter learned new skills, met new friends, and was happy.” Donna and Joseph Desmond, Lexington, Massachusetts
HIGHLIGHTS
- Enjoy the process of expository writing
- Improve writing skills
- Hike, bike and swim in the Berkshires
- Raft the Deerfield River
GRADE
For students who will finish grades 7-10 in June 2008. This summer we plan to have five groups: 3 groups with 7th & 8th graders, 1 group with 8th & 9th graders and 1 group with 9th & 10th graders.
START & END LOCATION
Starts and ends in Williamstown, Massachusetts
2008 DATES & FEES
2 Weeks
Sunday, June 22 to Friday, July 4
Sunday, July 6 to Friday, July 18
Sunday, July 20 to Friday, August 1
$2695 (airfare not included)
APPLY TODAY
Most groups fill in January & February. To download an application, click here.
“Overland’s biggest strengths are the quality of programs, concern for each student and, most importantly, the leaders.” Lora Gettleman, Evanston, Illinois
Students: Is This Program Right For You?
The Summer Writing Program requires a positive attitude and enthusiasm for writing.
Keep in mind that your enjoyment of this trip will hinge on certain factors:
1. Your motivation for improving your writing. You will get out of this program what you put in!
2. Your commitment to teamwork. Overland trips require compromise, patience and selflessness. Support your trip leaders and your trip mates, and you will find that you'll have a great time!
Trip Details
The Summer Writing Program is located in the beautiful town of Williamstown, Massachusetts, on the Williams College campus. For students who drive to the program start (Williamstown is three hours north of New York City and three hours west of Boston), we'll meet at our group accommodations on campus. For students who fly, Overland staff will be on-hand in the Albany airport to meet you, assist with luggage and transport you by van the 42 miles to Williamstown.
After we've settled into our rooms in a Williams College dorm (doubles shared by Overland students of the same gender), we'll reconvene and spend the afternoon getting to know one another. In the morning, we'll meet with our master teacher and have our first writing session.
During the afternoons, our fun Overland leaders will guide you on hiking and biking adventures around Williamstown and the surrounding Berkshire area, and during the weekend, we'll spend two nights camping outdoors at a nearby campsite and we'll take a fun rafting trip down the Deerfield River.
Throughout the week, there will be plenty of time for recreation, as well as reflection, games and quiet time to work on your writing. Learning should not be drudgery; it should be fun. Our Summer Writing Program offers an energized educational experience.
“A great program, combining educational and athletic experiences.” Amy Fitzgerald, Wayland, Massachusetts
Our Master Teachers
Trudy Ames is the recipient of numerous awards and grants toward the study and teaching of writing. She holds an MFA from Bennington College and her poems have been published in many journals and anthologies. Ms. Ames has taught high school English for twenty years.
Liza Barrett has been a middle school English teacher for twenty-two years. She began her career at the Greenwich Country Day school in Connecticut where she taught Upper School Social Studies and English for ten years, and she has been teaching 7th and 8th grade English at Mount Greylock Regional High School for the past twelve years. She has a BA in English and Psychology from Wesleyan University, and holds a Masters in Education. Liza's passion is teaching writing to middle school students. She has extensive experience teaching all forms of writing including expository, creative and literary analysis.
Pat Blackman has taught middle school and high school social studies for seven years in western Massachusetts. He currently teaches 8th grade American history and uses music, creative writing and the visual arts to help students gain depth of understanding. He has two bachelor’s degrees, one in history and one in religious studies. He is an amateur guitarist, singer and poet and is noted in his school for providing students with a direct experience of the music of America’s past by performing the songs himself.
Mary MacDonald has taught English and creative writing for fourteen years in New York City and Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Her students have ranged from sixth graders through graduate students. Currently, she teaches at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School, where she collaborates with the Edith Wharton Restoration at The Mount to create professional development programs for teachers of prose and poetry. She holds degrees in English from Boston College and Teachers College, Columbia University.
“The Summer Writing Program was a blast, and my leaders were amazing! .” Conor O'Rourke, Stamford, Connecticut
The Daily Schedule
Each day we'll start out by making breakfast and eating together before meeting with our master teacher who will lead us through the process of expository writing- brainstorming, outlining, writing a first draft, reading out loud, editing, revising and producing a final product- in a fun and encouraging environment.
Every day after class, we'll have lunch together and then our leaders will guide the group through various fun activities to get us out and exploring the beautiful Berkshires. The evenings will consist of eating dinner together and dessert circle, a time to reflect on the day's progress and growth. After dessert circle, we'll come together for reading, writing and games. During our weekend, we'll camp outdoors and raft on the Deerfield River.
“One of the best weeks of my life!” Lily Bodinson,West Hartford, Connecticut
Supervision & Safety
On
We set high expectations for each student’s behavior—we expect respect and consideration for others, a positive attitude, and an eagerness to help make the program a success in every way possible.
In every decision we make, safety comes first. We plan our programs carefully choosing the best accomodations and activities. Since our first trips in 1985 our safety record has been superlative; it's no wonder, then, that Overland is one of the few organizations of its kind to earn accreditation by the American Camp Association.
For nearly 25 years our caring and competent leaders, our superlative supervision, our high expectations, and our commonsense approach to safety have made Overland the number one choice for summer programs.
Overland Leaders
In a world where strong leadership skills make the difference between the average and the exceptional, Overland recruits and trains only the best to be our leaders. Not only do these remarkable people capably lead our groups, they also offer our students the kind of role modeling for which Overland has long been recognized. Bright, charismatic and accomplished, our leaders ensure the safety and well-being of every Overland student, and then they provide much, much more, inspiring our students to reach for their potential in every way.
You won’t find a more dynamic and talented group of people than Overland’s leaders. Most Overland leaders have played varsity sports and many have captained their teams; they have served as student government officers, volunteered as peer counselors and directed campus organizations. They are high achievers who come to Overland with a lifetime of leadership experience—but just as importantly, they are warm, wonderful people who are eager to work with Overland’s students.
Overland’s leaders prepare carefully for the summer. We know of no other program that requires certification in First Aid, CPR and lifesaving—every Overland leader has all of these plus our own 10-day training program that focuses on safety, supervision and leadership. All of our efforts prepare Overland’s caring and committed leaders to create safe, supportive and valuable programs where each of our students can flourish.
Meet some of our spectacular returning leaders.
How We Put Our Groups Together
We have a number of important criteria for every group:
Size: Every
Grade: We generally group 7th & 8th together, 8th & 9th together and 9th& 10th together.
Gender:
Friends: We allow two pairs of friends in a group (we never allow three or more friends to travel together). With a maximum of two pairs of friends there will always be space available for at least eight students to come on their own without a friend. Furthermore, if we enroll two pairs of friends in a group and both pairs are of one gender, we generally try to: (1) enroll three or four more students of that gender in that group, or (2) close the group to additional students of that gender.
Getting To & From The Program
Families are responsible for making travel arrangements to and from Williamstown, Massachusetts. Overland’s leaders will be on hand at the airport to provide supervision and assistance at trip start and end.
Additional Costs
Transportation to and from program start and end locations, spending money and personal gear are not included in the program fee.
"The Summer Writing Program was excellent and organized." Jonathan Davis, Chicago, Illinois
