So what are your kids doing for the summer?

ArmyVet

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Just curious what you (or your kids) summer plans are? My son will be a sophomore and has dreams of a service academy appointment. Summer is a good time to explore interests and opportunities that can help with the application process. Just curious if anyone has advice....

Summer job? Volunteer activities? Academic programs? STEM camps? Sports camps? Private camps?

GO!!!!
 
Summer after my freshman year I did a leadership camp and a West Point Soccer Camp. Sophomore year I got a paid 8 week internship at the Naval Postgraduate School through ASEE's SEAP. Highly recommend this program, I got to work on advanced equipment and learn about professional science research. Many labs all over the country sponsor it, most associated with Naval research. This year I will be attending SLE then NASS then a Rotary club International leadership camp and then I am interning again at NPS. Super excited, it is difficult for me to focus on school now, I am so excited.
 
Three of my five kids are Sea Cadets, and our summers tend to revolve around their various trainings. Last summer, it was field ops, Seabees, scuba, and sailing - all in different states. Throw in school band camps, softball and baseball seasons that go on forever and summer jobs for the teens. We try to hit the local pool when we can in between....gotta have those chill times whenever we can grab them!
 
Three of my five kids are Sea Cadets, and our summers tend to revolve around their various trainings. Last summer, it was field ops, Seabees, scuba, and sailing - all in different states. Throw in school band camps, softball and baseball seasons that go on forever and summer jobs for the teens. We try to hit the local pool when we can in between....gotta have those chill times whenever we can grab them!
Sounds like my life!! I have 5 kids also (2 bio and 3 step). Our life is pure madness!
 
Hi ArmyVet! I am also in Texas and have twin boys who will be sophomores next year. One has an NSLI-Y scholarship to spend 6 weeks in Amman, Jordan learning to speak/write Arabic. The other has an AYLP scholarship to spend about 4 weeks in Cyprus studying sustainable water practices & conservation.

We learned about both scholarships from reading about them on these forums, when applicants had listed them in their "Stats".
 
If your son will be 16 by July he can still apply for the Marine Corps SLCDA program.
The applications are due early April. It is very competitive but worth it if he can get selected.
Other programs at the SAs have already closed the applications I think.
My son did the Norwich Future Leaders Camp last summer and will return this summer as a Corporal, kind of an assistant counselor. FLC was a major factor in his decision to choose Norwich. He since won an AROTC scholarship for Norwich, although he would have chosen to attend without it. Not sure if it is standard procedure but as an FLC alumni he received a $2000 per year scholarship on top of the $23,000 per year merit scholarship they offered him prior to his winning the ROTC scholarship.
 
You might also want to check University of North Georgia's website. They have several language based programs, maybe the ones referred to above. As you may know UNG is an Army only SMC.
 
If your son will be 16 by July he can still apply for the Marine Corps SLCDA program.
The applications are due early April. It is very competitive but worth it if he can get selected.
Other programs at the SAs have already closed the applications I think.
My son did the Norwich Future Leaders Camp last summer and will return this summer as a Corporal, kind of an assistant counselor. FLC was a major factor in his decision to choose Norwich. He since won an AROTC scholarship for Norwich, although he would have chosen to attend without it. Not sure if it is standard procedure but as an FLC alumni he received a $2000 per year scholarship on top of the $23,000 per year merit scholarship they offered him prior to his winning the ROTC scholarship.
He is only 15, but I will definitely check out SLCDA for next summer. We did apply for USNA STEM but won't hear until May. Hoping he makes it in, but it's only a week of a very long summer for a proactive kid.
 
You might also want to check University of North Georgia's website. They have several language based programs, maybe the ones referred to above. As you may know UNG is an Army only SMC.
Definitely will!! Thanks for the info.
 
For language camps, the STARTALK program is great, and offered at several universities (including USNA, and maybe the other SAs). It was created by NSA/CSS, and you can probably find a program near you (the NSLI-Y program is under STARTALK). Link: https://startalk.umd.edu/public/

Also, a lot of university research labs will accept un/paid interns for the summer. If you're looking for something more, remember to just ask. Local startups/companies will often find a spot for a kid for the summer if you just ask. Source: personal experience.
 
This is somewhat relating to the topic of this discussion - does anyone know of any interesting summer programs for middle school students? Preferably one that is still accepting applications right now?
 
Wow, some of the things your kids do are pretty impressive! And I thought MY son has had some great opportunities! My boy is not much of an athlete and his main focus has been on JROTC. He has wanted to go into an academy since beginning high school, so he focused on his grades. During summer after 9th grade, he worked as a lifeguard. After 10th, he went to a youth leadership conference through the MOAA in Corpus Christi, TX. Last summer was his BUSY one - he went to Boys State for a week the day after school ended, went to NASS at the Naval Academy for a week in June and then spent all of July and the first week of August in Washington, DC working as a U.S. Senate Page. He was scared to go for so long, but said it was the most incredible experience he's ever had. I'm sure that experience was a factor in his academy appointments. He received offers from both USAFA and USMA. He had to turn down two other awesome opportunities (Oklahoma Youth Leadership and US Coast Guard AIM program) due to schedule conflicts, but it all worked out in the end. He also applied to an engineering camp (SAME) to the Air Force Academy, but our local reps never followed through, but that's an option at each of the academies. Good luck finding enriching activities that fit your child!
 
I preferred that our son chill during his summer vacations; they only get to be kids for so long. He basically lounged, slept, played video games and enjoyed Boy Scouts during his summers.
 
Each of my DS's and DD's had different levels of summer activities. They all volunteered. That was a requirement. Eventually all got jobs.
My oldest DS spent four weeks at an archaeology dig in Cortez Colorado in the summer after his HS freshman year. That was a pretty big deal for him.

My youngest DS spent most summers working at the movie theater, and traveling with club soccer. He also spent his sophomore and junior summers volunteering at the local zoo as a docent.

Agree with VelveteenR, they all also needed down time for recreation and just being a kid.
 
Gokings, where did your children volunteer?

My DD will be going to NASS, Sea Cadet training, and working part time. I like the thought of her volunteering somewhere too, but I totally agree with down time.

My DS will be taking summer school classes for his major and working part time at the college he attends.

I will be at the local pool, all by myself!
 
Oldest DS loved history and anthropology. He became a docent at the local historical society (youngest ever at 16) and tutored local kids through the school district.
Oldest DD loved animals and was considering Veterinary medicine. She volunteered at the local zoo and tutored local kids. She also organized and MC'd a pretty big Talent Show to raise money for the women's shelter.
Youngest DD loved horses and volunteered for "challenge riders" assisting kids with physical handicaps to ride horses. She also did a lot of volunteer work as a JROTC officer and coached U9 soccer at age 16.
Youngest DS also enjoyed the zoo and volunteered at the zoo as a docent. He also tutored younger children at two programs.
 
Just curious what you (or your kids) summer plans are? My son will be a sophomore and has dreams of a service academy appointment. Summer is a good time to explore interests and opportunities that can help with the application process. Just curious if anyone has advice....

Summer job? Volunteer activities? Academic programs? STEM camps? Sports camps? Private camps?

GO!!!!

My soph wants to attend USNA and is going to spend the summer swimming in our pool :) Next year he hopes to do NASS.
 
My soph wants to attend USNA and is going to spend the summer swimming in our pool :) Next year he hopes to do NASS.
USNA summer swim camp? Great exposure to USNA.
 
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