Senior High Academic Camp

The Senior High Academic Camp program is geared towards rising 10th - 12th graders looking for additional preparation to ensure acceptance into the college of your choice. We have created a wide variety of academic enrichment-based courses (see below) to challenge you while also creating a summer of intellectual rewards, self-confidence and new friendships. Our mission is to provide you with the type of experience and mentoring that will foster the personal growth necessary to face the special challenges of transitioning from high school to college. Get a jump start in those upper level courses that are crucial for today's college-bound student.

Please see our Senior High Academic Camp Application

Highlights

• You create your own experience. Choose classes from a variety of stimulating offerings.
• Afternoons continue with your choice of summer camp activities to include: recreational sports; tennis camp, golf, soccer or basketball camp, personal fitness or fine arts workshops (click here for more information).
• Class sizes remain small. This allows for greater personal assistance from teachers.
• Private tutoring is also available for a fee.

University of Virginia Admissions Seminar and Tour

Each student enrolled in the Academic camp will have the opportunity to attend the admissions presentation. And, for those that are particularly interested in attending UVa, a tour may also be scheduled.

Select the Senior Camp option that best suits your summer schedule

Each includes the above mentioned highlights. Our 1-week intensive Mini Camp or our traditional Full Session which is available in 2 or 4 week blocks.

Mini Camp

Available as a 1-week session either June 27 - July 2 or August 1 - 6. Choose 1 of the 2 subject areas below to focus on while at camp or our SAT Prep Fast Track. You'll receive 3 hours of intensive coursework in that area on a daily basis in the morning. This is a great opportunity for you to really delve into a topic that interests you. Your afternoons will be a little more relaxed with your choice of participation in sports (competitive or recreational) or fine arts classes. These special mini camps are only offered twice this summer so sign up early!

Mini Camp Typical Daily Schedule

* 4 Star Camps reserves the right to limit enrollment and/or cancel any class if there is overwhelming or insufficient registration.

Mini Camp Subject Offerings

College Prep

An exploration program for those interested in learning more about the college selection process, ways to help prepare for your first year, what to expect at college and how to choose a major. Your time will be spent participating in workshop courses based around a specific career direction or college/career preparation and education. Find out about the "hot jobs" and what you can do now with your education to prepare for your career.

Writers Symposium

Participate in a variety of workshops composing in different styles of writing including creative writing, essay writing and journalism.

SAT Prep - Fast Track

An intensive week long program offering 16+ hours of instruction utilizing the same proven Cambridge Six-Step Approach® as outlined above for the standard 2-week program. As an added benefit of this program you will take an actual retired SAT exam on the final day for practice. All students enrolled in this program will need to complete a provided pre-test prior to their arrival at camp.

Full Session

A 2 or 4-week camp in which you take the same 3 classes each day. Choose your 3 from the list below, 1 class from each instructional period. Your mornings are spent in these classes with your afternoon options encompassing sports or fine arts.

"Preparing for College Success" Workshop

This is a one evening workshop during the 2-week session that consists of a panel of staff members who answer campers' questions about college admissions, campus life and much more. This workshop provides a reliable account of how to go about choosing a college and what to expect about college.

Typical Daily Schedule

* 4 Star Camps reserves the right to limit enrollment and/or cancel any class if there is overwhelming or insufficient registration.

Instructional Period 1

Advanced Essay Writing

Does your writing need focus and clarity? Get a jump on college papers and application essays by strengthening your writing skills now: narrowing a topic, purpose, audience, argument and clarifying position. This is an expository writing class that includes punctuation review and grammar usage integrated into thesis statement refinement, paragraph development and essay organization. Content includes analyzing published essays for dissection of technical elements of writing, in addition to being models for your essays.

Advanced Effective Reading Skills

Prepare for college studies with this intensive course focused on critical reading. Short stories, speeches, news articles, and novel selections, with specific emphasis on rhetoric, argument, and persuasion, will be read and analyzed. This course presents you with exercises designed to increase your comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary skills, as well as develop stronger analytical thinking skills. Reading exercises have been carefully designed to monitor your ability to understand and retain what you have read.

Economics

This is a study of macroeconomics. Explore the behavior of consumers, businesses, and markets in the global economy. Focus on supply and demand, competition and monopoly, the role of trade and interdependence of the world's producing nations, and distribution of income. The discussions will incorporate current events in the economic world. Mathematical models will be used to help illustrate today's global economy. Graphing calculators are required.

Environmental Studies - Alternative Energy

(only available 7/18 - 7/30)
Natural and alternative resources are vital to the maintenance of a healthy environment. Examine the history of energy consumption and global energy demands. Explore various alternative and renewable resources.

Environmental Studies - Sustainable Earth

(only available 7/3 - 16)
The basis of this course is to identify environmental problems and generate practical, personal solutions. Explore the meaning of climate change, the significance of hybrid electric vehicles, utilizing mass transit, biofuels, organic food production, and food packaging. You will consider environmental and economic impacts of sustaining our planet.

Instructional Period 2

Creative Writing

Let your imagination flow as you create characters, plots and dialogue in small- group writing workshops and lecture presentations. Liven up your dialogue to draw in the reader. Give color and depth to your writing. Work in a range of prose such as fiction, drama, or essays, as well as poetry. By class end, you will have drafted a short story, novel chapter, and/or a collection of poems.

Honors Algebra 2 / Trigonometry

The following core topics will be previewed: functions and their graphs, real and complex number systems, quadratic and higher polynomial functions, exponential and radical functions, logarithm functions and an introduction to trigonometry. Graphing and mathematical modeling are used to investigate relationships and solve problems within this course. Proficiency with graphing calculators is a necessity and required for the course.

Honors Geometry

You will investigate basic polygon attributes, coordinate geometry, logic, inductive and deductive reasoning, writing proofs, and 3-dimensional figures. Apply geometric properties to solve real-life problems. Graphing calculator is necessary for the course.

Introduction to Mandarin Chinese

China is the largest country in the world and has become a powerhouse in global business. Gain insight into the culture and history of this intriguing nation, as well as Mandarin Chinese character writing and basic character sounds.

Introduction to Psychology

This class focuses on the concepts of psychology that have been revolutionary in helping us understand ourselves and others by examining the roots of personality and behavior. Throughout the class, you will evaluate the validity of theories in light of your own experiences and perform a mini research study.

Instructional Period 3

Advanced Essay Writing

Does your writing need focus and clarity? Get a jump on college papers and application essays by strengthening your writing skills now: narrowing a topic, purpose, audience, argument and clarifying position. This is an expository writing class that includes punctuation review and grammar usage integrated into thesis statement refinement, paragraph development and essay organization. Content includes analyzing published essays for dissection of technical elements of writing, in addition to being models for your essays.

Human Anatomy

(only available 7/3 - 7/16)
Learn about the different body systems and medical conditions of each. You will discover the interrelatedness of the body systems. This course is perfect for those of you contemplating studies in the medical or sciences fields.

Human Physiology

(only available 7/18 - 7/30)
Now that you know the components of the body systems, you're ready to learn how they all function together. We will examine the interrelatedness of muscles, bones and connective tissue, the co-functioning of the neurological system tissues and organs, as well as those of the gastrointestinal system. Realize this is one amazing machine - the human body!

International Business

(only available7/18 - 7/30)
Become more world savvy. This course increases your awareness of the need to become active in the global business community. Learn about current events, world currency, customs and cultural sensitivity, and traveling abroad. Also, analyze the impact of trade agreements, importation/exportation, and immigration on the global economy.

Model UN

The structure of this course examines the functions and history of the United Nations and the major social, political and economical issues confronting the world's governments. You will study the foreign policies of several key nations and participate in the debates and round table forums discussing current international events. Not only hone your knowledge of foreign policy and political and human rights issues, but also develop proficiency in the art of persuasion, point and counterpoint and argumentation. Be prepared to solve the world's problems.

Public Speaking

Often singled out as the #1 fear of adults, this class will help ease your concerns when speaking in front of a group. Skills related to research, organization, expression, voice control, body language and exposition will be developed to augment your self-confidence and decrease those butterflies.

Stock Market Game

(only available 7/3 - 7/16)
What's the difference between stocks, bonds, and mutual funds? Examine the U.S. banking system and stock market and how they work. Follow the stock market during the class and receive "money" to invest in "the market". Learn analytical techniques for choosing stocks, bonds or mutual funds for "your portfolio".