Summer Programs 2023

About Mercersburg Academy

Mercersburg Academy is a premier coed college-preparatory boarding and day school serving students in grades 9-12 and postgraduates from across the country and around the world. Mercersburg prepares young people from diverse backgrounds for success in college and for life in a global community.

During the academic year, 446 students from 32 states and 46 countries pursue a rigorous academic curriculum and excel in a multitude of extracurricular endeavors, including athletics and the arts. More than 90 percent of the senior class enrolls in colleges and universities rated most competitive or highly competitive.

Nestled in the Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania, just a stone’s throw from the Tuscarora Mountain ridge, Mercersburg Academy provides the perfect setting for a wide range of opportunities for personal growth and fun around every corner.

Our campus features 300 acres of expansive athletic fields, wildlife habitat areas, farmland, and state-of-the-art academic facilities. Our buildings contain modern labs, art studios, study areas, and STEAM collaboration spaces. Whether you like chemistry, multimedia design, or anything in between, our buildings and grounds can satisfy your interests.

360°

Take a virtual tour of our campus at mercersburg.info !

Program Listing

ADVENTURE CAMP AGES 8-14 7/2-7/14 7/16-7/29

BASEBALL CAMP (BOYS) AGES 9-15 6/25-6/28

BASKETBALL CAMP (BOYS) AGES 9-15 6/19-6/22

BASKETBALL CAMP (GIRLS) AGES 9-15 6/18-6/21

LACROSSE CAMP (BOYS) AGES 9-15 7/16-7/19

LACROSSE CAMP (GIRLS) AGES 9-15 7/23-7/26

ROBOTICS CAMP AGES 10-15 6/25-29

SOCCER CAMP AGES 10-16 7/23-7/26

STEAM CAMP AGES 10-15 6/18-6/22

SWIM CLINICS AGES 8-17 6/18-6/22 6/25-6/29

THEATRE CAMP AGES 11-16 7/16-7/28

YOUNG WRITERS CAMP AGES 11-16 7/2-7/14

We understand that a parent’s biggest concern is the safety and well-being of their child. We also know that parents have goals for their child’s development in terms of social skills, character building, and healthy living—goals that the summer camp experience can help meet. Because of this, Mercersburg Summer Programs has taken the step of being an “accredited camp” through the American Camp Association.

You Will Need

FLASHLIGHT

For those nights around the campfire!

SUNGLASSES Protect your eyes from the summer sun!

SWIMSUIT

For the pool and lots of fun water games planned during your stay!

SNEAKERS

Comfy shoes to run around and play in!

UNDIES

Please bring enough clean pairs to last for your entire stay!

SUNBLOCK

Keep your skin safe from painful sunburns!

TOOTHBRUSH

Keep those chompers clean and bright!

WATER BOTTLE

Stay hydrated! It gets hot at Mercersburg!

SOAP Because when you’re having so much fun, things can get messy!

Summer Staff

Mercersburg Summer Programs staff are creative, encouraging, and responsible people who truly love to work with kids and teens. Our instructors—many of whom are Mercersburg Academy faculty or alumni—are not only experts in their fields, but also experts at making learning fun. They are trained in safety management, interpersonal skills, dealing with homesickness, and other camp-related issues. Our camper-to-staff ratio ensures that staff can direct all of their focus on the unique needs and development of self-esteem and selfconfidence for every camper.

Lodging and Dining

Mercersburg Summer Programs participants stay in air-conditioned dormitories with carpeted hallways, tiled bathrooms, and private shower areas. Counselors and other staff live in adjacent dorm rooms, and our open-door policy ensures comfort and safety for all. An emphasis on respect, courtesy, and cooperation enables campers to thrive in a dorm setting.

Summer Programs attendees enjoy tasty and nutritious food every day; plus our menu is varied and our kitchen staff are sensitive to special dietary needs and preferences. All meals include a main entree, side dishes, salad/sandwich bar, vegetarian and gluten-free options, and a fruit station.

Health and Safety

Our campus is patrolled 24 hours a day by members of the school’s Campus Safety Office. Access to dormitories is limited to summer participants, and all summer staff receive full state and federal clearances as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Our staff are certified in CPR/AED, and many also have first aid training.

Our Rutherford Health and Wellness Center is managed by a team of registered nurses, and we work closely with a local family medical practice for campers who may need additional care. A full-time health services assistant is also available 24/7 when camps are in session.

Adventure Camp

Adventure Camp allows campers to choose their own adventure that they will talk about for years. MAC’s unique structure provides the right balance of enrichment challenges, sports, outdoor adventures, and fun excursions to make every session memorable, including trips to Hersheypark, whitewater rafting, camping, and a professional sporting event.

Campers are divided into two rival teams, the Hurricanes and Tornadoes, fighting for bragging rights. These two groups face off in competitions such as Camp Wars, Song Battles, and Capture the Flag (to name a few).

Theatre Camp

Our Theatre Camp offers a chance for participants to blend theatre, vocal/musical training, and dance. A series of guest artists and instructors will challenge students’ creativity while also concentrating on safe technique and building healthy personal rehearsal practices. We meet each student at their current skill level to ensure that every participant, whether new to the stage or a veteran, is challenged and supported.

Students will also participate in workshops for other aspects of the performing arts and enjoy open mic nights, trips off campus, and a variety of summer fun. The camp will close with a performance for family and friends.

Build writing skills and unleash creativity in a unique environment of individuals with a passion for writing. Participants explore the beauty of poetic style and the power of their own voice on paper. Language is at the core of life, and campers learn new and liberating ways to express themselves through the written word.

By combining an exciting range of writing activities with traditional camp experiences, writers have incredible fun while also learning to think and write creatively. Not only will participants focus on specialty classes such as fiction, poetry, and writing for the Internet, they will also participate in thematic workshops and recreational activities that include rock climbing, swimming, coffee shop reading, and a daytrip to a major city. The camp culminates with a student reading of new works.

Young Writers Camp

STEAM Camp

STEAM Camp (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) takes participants to the front lines of the Maker revolution, utilizing challenge-based learning. Engineering, programming, 3D printing, textiles, and metal fabrication are all featured in this immersion into the essentials of Making in the 21st century.

Participants will jump into the creative process by taking an idea from their minds and turning it into a creation made by their hands. They will tackle challenges designed to provoke creative thinking and problem solving. Through the process of design, development, testing, and troubleshooting, students will learn resilience and ingenuity.

NEW!

Robotics Camp

New to Mercersburg Summer Programs for 2023, Robotics Camp will introduce students to the basics of programming, circuitry, and robotics using the Arduino platform. In addition to learning the fundamentals of electronics, circuit design, electrical components, and programming, students will utilize real-life problem-solving skills to create solutions to design challenges.

Each student will have their own Arduino kit to work on as they learn firsthand the skills needed to understand and create circuits while programming them to complete tasks. The camp is set up for every student to be on their own educational journey at the speed necessary for them to learn and be successful. At the conclusion of the camp, students will be able to take their kit with them and continue learning from online lessons and tutorials.

NEW!

New to Mercersburg Summer Programs for 2023, Baseball Camp will cover an array of baseball fundamentals, including hitting, fielding, pitching, conditioning, and mental approaches. The camp will consist of morning and afternoon sessions focusing on the fundamentals with drill work and game play built in daily. If you are eager to improve your skills and outwork everyone, we would love to have you at camp!

Soccer Camp

Soccer Camp is for experienced players who want to take their game to the next level while having fun. Each day focuses on different skills, from footwork to field position play. Athletes will participate in two or three training sessions per day, with an emphasis on the technical and tactical aspects of the game, and will also have a chance to apply these concepts each evening during our competitive 11 v 11 matches.

Girls’ Basketball Camp

Girls’ Basketball Camp is for the aspiring player who wants to make the varsity or JV team in the future as well as those with dreams of playing at the next level. Players will build habits that lead to success on the court and work to improve ball handling, shooting, and body control. We will focus on skills that help participants become leaders within their program and standouts on and off the court.

Our mission is to challenge players of all levels, from beginners to skilled athletes. We teach players to think the game, learn to lead more effectively, and practice with purpose. Our goal is to promote individual skill development and help players gain confidence through basketball success.

Boys’ Basketball Camp is designed to challenge young men to improve their skills on and off the court. By combining on-court station work with classroom film analysis and lectures, players will learn skills and concepts that will help them reach their goals on the court, no matter how small or large those goals may be. The program is run by college and high school coaches and includes an overview of the college recruiting process for players who are interested in playing basketball after high school.

Boys’ Basketball Camp

Girls’ Lacrosse Camp

Girls’ Lacrosse Camp welcomes players of all skill levels for a comprehensive skill-building experience that will leave players feeling confident and prepared to compete at the next level. The coaching staff will focus on skill development and improvement, from fundamental stickwork skills to advanced attacking and defending methods. Girls will have plenty of opportunities to play full field games but will also build their abilities in small-game situations. Skills Choice Sessions allow campers to choose which skills they’d like to spend time working on, while coaches will help develop proper technique. Additional activities and free time fun on the Mercersburg Academy campus provide girls with opportunities to relax.

Improve your skills, make new friends, and have fun at our Boys’ Lacrosse Camp! This unique program is designed for players of all abilities and is centered on individual skill development. All positions will benefit from a high level of coaching from an enthusiastic and passionate staff. Each camper will receive individual and personalized instruction aimed at improving their skill set and understanding of the game. Additional activities and free time on campus will provide campers with opportunities to relax and enjoy themselves.

Boys’ Lacrosse Camp

Swim Clinics

Swim Clinics are dedicated to improving swimmers’ technique and helping them to develop both in and out of the pool. The camp is geared for intermediate or advanced swimmers. Mercersburg Academy’s storied aquatics program has produced more than 30 Olympians and brings a tradition of excellence to the summer program. Our swim clinic coaches come from a variety of elite backgrounds.

The primary aim of Swim Clinics is to provide an experience that teaches competitive swimmers the most innovative techniques available while allowing them to have fun. The philosophy is simple: swimmers don’t just compile distance but rather work on improvements in starts, turns, and stroke techniques. Mercersburg’s swimmers and divers train and compete in the Lloyd Aquatic Center, which features a 50-meter Olympic-size pool.