Grades 9-12

Registration opens February 15, 2023 at 9:00 am for all current and new Stone Ridge students .

• All families will need to create an account and register on the camp site beginning February 15, 2023.
• Classes are filled on a first come-first served basis.
• To register for these classes, you will register as a camper.
• Each class will require a $100 non-refundable deposit.
• Teachers will notify student in late spring as to the book and supply needs.

ENRICHMENT CLASSES

ALGEBRA I REVIEW AND ENRICHMENT (rising GRADE 9)

• Date: June 20-July 14, 2023 (no class June 19, July 3,4) 
• Time: 9:30 am-12:00 pm
• Tuition: $1000
• Prerequisite: Completed Grade 8
• Teacher: Ms. Kathleen Gurzo

This 4 week course will begin with a brief review of the fundamentals of Algebra. Review topics will include solving linear equations and inequalities, systems of equations, graphing two variable equations and inequalities. The course will cover in greater depth: exploring quadratic functions, operations on rational expressions, polynomials and radicals. The students will develop the ability to explore and solve real world application problems, demonstrate the use of the graphing calculator, and communicate mathematical ideas clearly. This course is intended for students who have completed Algebra I and would benefit from additional support and review before taking their next math course (either Geometry or Algebra II), and students who would like a jump start to their study of Algebra I in Grade 9. 

Kathleen Gurzo: "I am both a Stone Ridge graduate and teacher of 18 years. I am enthusiastic about math and have found a passion sharing that love with my students. Over the years, I have taught Algebra I, Honors Algebra II, Honors PreCalculus, and AP Statistics. I graduated from Villanova University with a degree in Mathematics and a minor in Education and Computer Science. I have enjoyed spending many summers working for Summer CampUs and enjoyed teaching the summer Algebra I Review course the last few years. I look forward to the adventure of Algebra I Review this summer as well." 

Tech requirements for this class: All students must provide their own laptops (running Windows or MAC OS) and must bring laptops to class daily. No iPads or tablets are permitted. The student’s computer must be able to access WiFi and the Chrome browser. If the student is currently in the 8th grade at Stone Ridge, she may keep and use her Stone Ridge issued laptop until the end of the summer course, at which time the laptop will be turned in to the IT department. Loaner laptops are available upon request.

 
READING & WRITING WORKSHOP FOR RISING NINTH-GRADERS  (rising GRADE 9)

• Dates: TBA, 2023 (no class June 19)
• Time: 12:30-3:00 pm
• Tuition: $750
• Prerequisite: Completed 8th Grade
• Teacher: TBA

Are you looking to keep your reading and writing skills sharp over the summer? Are you anticipating the new challenges of high school humanities classes?  In Grade 9, students can look forward to rigorous reading lists along with writing on a more analytical level.  This 3 week workshop helps usher students onto this new scene by breaking the reading and writing processes down into manageable steps and useful skills. Students will practice writing several types of essays, learn targeted writing-based grammar, get a head start on their summer reading and generally build confidence in themselves as high school students!
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros (the Stone Ridge 9th grade summer reading books) is a required text for all rising 9th graders.  In addition, the 9th graders have the option to read either Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, or The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon. 

Erin DeSimone received her B.A. in English and Art History from Georgetown University and her M.A. in English from Georgetown. She is an alumna of Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart and values the Sacred Heart education. She has been teaching Upper School English for six years at Stone Ridge. She enjoys living in Washington, D.C. and appreciates the history of the city and the museums of the area.

Tech requirements for this class: All students must provide their own laptops (running Windows or MAC OS) and must bring laptops to class daily. No iPads or tablets are permitted. The student’s computer must be able to access WiFi and the Chrome browser. If the student is currently in the 8th grade at Stone Ridge, she may keep and use her Stone Ridge issued laptop until the end of the summer course, at which time the laptop will be turned in to the IT department. Loaner laptops are available upon request.

HALF CREDIT COURSES ​​​

ENVIRONMENTAL & WILDLIFE CONSERVATION FIELD STUDIES (rising GRADES 9-12)

• Date: June 13-June 30th, 2023 (no class June 19) **note early start date
• Time: 9am-12:30 pm. NOTE: *arrival & pick-up times will vary given the nature of the day's fieldwork
• Teacher:  Casey Robertson
• Eligible grades: Rising 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th grade
• Tuition: $750

Looking to spend some time outside learning about the environment, wildlife, and habitats? In this 3-week lab and field studies based course, students will conduct hands-on activities to look at wildlife species populations, water quality, and more! Some of the activities we have done in the past years include banding baby ospreys, observing the diet of Chesapeake Bay sea otters, wetland restoration, learning animal tracks and calls, setting wildlife cameras, and tracking down box turtles with GPS! 
No previous biology or environmental science experience required! All you need is enthusiasm for life sciences, a flexible start time, and an appreciation of the natural world.

Casey Robertson is a Stone Ridge Upper School biology and environmental science teacher. She has been teaching high school level courses since 2011. She received her BS in Biology, Ecology and Evolution from the University of Maryland, College Park. While biology was her main focus, she spent all of her elective classes on wildlife ecology, disease, and conservation. Her teaching career started as a laboratory instructor and teaching assistant for her alma mater. It was this experience that encouraged her to pursue a M.Ed in Science Curriculum and Instruction, also from the University of MD. In addition to teaching, she has been published with Dr. Sara Via for her research on molecular evolution, focusing on the genetic mechanisms of speciation in pea aphids. Her most exciting work in the field of wildlife studies was during her time at NASA, studying the conservation of the Sumatran Tigers in Assam, India through the creation of ecological forecasting models, in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund and Tigers Forever.  

WEATHER & CLIMATE  (rising GRADE 10-12)

• Dates: June 13-June 30th, 2023 (no class June 19) **note early start date
• Time: 1:00-3:30 pm
• Tuition: $750
• Prerequisite: must have completed one year of 9th grade Physics
• Eligible grades: Rising 10th, 11th, 12th grade
• Teacher: Will Robertson

Did you ever build a snowman? Have you ever been to a beautiful beach and played in the crashing waves? Sing in the rain? Have you ever wondered about the science behind the amazing natural phenomena that make these things possible? And what if your children or grandchildren might never have these joyful experiences? Could it happen? If any of these questions interest you, then this course in Weather & Climate is for you!

In this 3-week summer science elective course, students will be taking a deeper dive into the Earth and physical sciences with an exploration of Earth's weather and climate systems, with a focus on North American weather and climate. Students will learn about basic weather principles, make atmospheric measurements, analyze and interpret real-time weather maps, create short-term and long-term weather forecasts, and use the latest NASA and NOAA satellite data available to measure global climate change. Recognition of hazardous weather conditions and appropriate safety precautions will also be covered. A guest speaker who is a professional meteorologist from a local television station and/or the National Weather Service will also be included. Approximately 50% of the course will be indoors, 50% outdoors. This is a great course for students interested in both the physical and environmental sciences, and provides excellent preparation for becoming an expert in the weather and climate unit of AP Environmental Science.

Will Robertson is a physics and bioorganic chemistry teacher in the Upper School. He has been teaching high school level science courses since 2011 and joined the faculty at Stone Ridge in 2016.  He holds a BA in biology (magna cum laude) from the University of Colorado at Boulder, a MS in chemistry (specializing in bioorganic chemistry) from The Scripps Research Institute (La Jolla, California). In addition to teaching, he is passionate about Earth science, particularly meteorology (study of weather and climate) and geology (study of the structure, physical, and chemical properties of the Earth). He is a member of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the American Meteorological Society (AMS), and the American Geophysical Union (AGU).  Additionally, he is a science content contributor to Real World Globes, producing lesson activities for a variety of Earth and planetary science topics.

For the high school student who wants a week of action packed outdoor fun with friends, or a fulfilling week serving their community, we offer an Adventure Camp and Community Service Camp. 

Week 1 (June 20-23) *4 days	Week 2 (June 26-30)	Week 3 (July 5-7)	Week 4 (July 10-14)	Week 5 (July 17-21)	Week 6 (July 24-28)
N/A	Adventure Camp (Grades 7-12)	N/A	Adventure Camp (Grades 7-12)	Adventure Camp (Grades 7-12)	Adventure Camp (Grades 7-12)
Community Service Camp (ages 13+)

 

2023 ADVENTURE CAMP (GRADES 7-12) 

This outrageously exciting & extremely fun Adventure Camp is a blast! Are you an adventurous person who wants a fun daily challenge? Test your limits and increase your self-confidence as you join our amazing adventure team. Activities vary by week and may include: high ropes courses, zip lines, and white water rafting, roller coasters at Six Flags, indoor rock climbing and best of all, take a chartered bus to Guppy Gulch High Adventure. (A note about Guppy Gulch: Your kids will think they are in Florida with Gulf Coast blue water, real palm trees, with warm tropical breezes and water temperatures in the upper 70s. The quarry lake is 13 acres full of big water inflatables for climbing, bouncing, and splashing — waterslides, zip line, sun decks, boulder jumping and climbing walls.) View the weekly itinerary.

Campers should have a sense of adventure and be able to physically participate in these activities. Campers must bring a bag lunch and filled water bottles daily. Note: All activities require parents to sign waivers from the outside companies; life vests are required for all water activities except for the water park at Six Flags.

Price: ($600)
Time: 8:30 am-3:45 pm (Thursdays have early departure/later returns 8:00 am-4:30 pm)

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE CAMP (min. age 13+ BY JUNE 15, 2023)

NOTE: New minimum age requirements as per site regulations: Student must be entering at least 8th grade AND be at least 13 years of age by June 15, 2023 to participate. All activities are subject to change and may be substituted for alternate sites if conditions warrant.

Enjoy a week-long adventure serving your community. Activities will fulfill most community service requirements for graduation and confirmation. Areas in which campers may serve their community: environment, homeless, elderly, childcare, and special needs. Campers have the potential to earn 24 hours of service for the 4 day program and 30 hours of service for the 5 day program and must compete all service hour paperwork and approval on own. Note: Campers must: be 13+, show proof of a recent TB test to participate, show proof of full COVID vaccination and bring a non-perishable bag lunch. All activities require a signed waiver from the outside companies. All activities subject to change.

Dates:  
Time: 8:30 am-3:00 pm 
Price: $