Spend your summer learning and living

by Lisa Gardner

The Canadian Ecology Centre offers a number of 14-day summer high school courses within the environmental and natural resources sciences. Developed in part by the National Science and Engineering Council of Canada (NSERC), the classes range from grades 10 to 12 and, depending on the nature of the course, may require a pre-requisite prior to enrollment. Fees are $1,299 and include meals and accommodation. http://www.canadianecology.ca/education/summer_credits/index.htm

The Celtic Experience is an organization that provides Ontario students with the chance to study and earn credits for grade 11 and 12 English and grade 12 World History and World Issues abroad in Ireland, Scotland and England. Since its establishment in 1995, the Celtic Experience has taken over 1,800 students to Ireland and the UK and offers homestay and residential options. Fees vary. http://www.celticsummer.com/courses.html

The Canadian Badlands Summer School offers a three-week intensive program to students in grades 9-12 who are interested in developing performance and auditioning skills, physical self-awareness and stage presence. Students will have the opportunity to participate in six recitals of the Canadian Badlands Passion Play and extend their portfolios while earning five high school credits. Fees are $850 for Alberta residents and $1,175 for out-of-province students. http://www.rosebudschoolofthearts.com/summer_school.html

The Central Scuola Summer Program is for students in grades 9-11 who are of Italian origin or who have a particular interest in Italian culture. The course begins with a mandatory 30 hours of class instruction in Toronto and is completed with three weeks of classes taught by Canadian teachers in small towns throughout Italy to ensure maximum cultural immersion. The cost is $3,990. http://www.centroscuola.ca/travel/summer.asp

Trinity Western University Dual Credit Courses are an option for students who want to complete a university course while still in high school and count it towards their high school diploma as an elective credit. The province of British Columbia has recognized some Trinity Western University courses as eligible for transfer in this way. http://www.twu.ca/TestDrive/DualCredit.aspx

Outward Bound Canada College is a one-semester ($14,000) or two-semester ($28,000) summer program designed for Grade 11 and 12 students in Ontario to earn up to ten academic credits while experiencing and participating in challenging outdoor components including wilderness training and first aid, canoe tripping, rock climbing and kayaking. Outward Bound also offers 42-day courses in Adventure, Discovery or Leadership that are transferable for two11 high school credits upon completion. In addition, students will complete up to 10 hours of community service that can also be applied to the compulsory community involvement requirement for Ontario high school graduation. Students outside Ontario may also be eligible but it is based on the discretion of the institution they are attending. http://www.outwardbound.ca/results.asp?Category=31

Class Afloat is a summer program that allows Grade 11, Grade 12 and and junior college students to study their high school curriculum while travelling the world and experiencing life aboard a tall ship. Established in 1984, the program is offered on a yearly ($17,000) or semester basis ($29,000) and is sanctioned by both Alberta learning and the Québec Ministry of Education. Students are selected based on academic profile, strength of character and physical health and swimming ability. http://www.classafloat.com/curriculum/programme.html

The Cape Enrage Adventures – High School Challenge will teach you to kayak, rappel, climb and wilderness camp in beautiful New Brunswick. The activities are all centered around team building concepts. Generally organized through your high school, the four-night challenge takes place in May each year. Places are usually taken a year in advance so you will need to get organized early. Any student in high school can apply. Participants must be physically fit and willing to adapt to extreme environments, demanding working conditions and extremely high expectations. http://www.capenrage.com/highschool_challenge.php

And, if a short-term summer experience isn’t enough for you, you might want to consider Katimavik. This national youth volunteer-service program for Canadian citizens and landed immigrants between the ages of 17 and 21. As well, Capilano College will award three credits to former Katimavik participants who enroll in their Global Stewardship program! Find out more about the program at http://www.katimavik.org.

These are just nine schools or programs that exist – there are tonnes more! Try asking at your guidance office for other suggestions.