“What did you do this summer?”
It’s a simple question. Usually, the answer is a pleasant-but-unremarkable list of trips, jobs, and maybe a little summer reading. Not very interesting, right?
Unless you ask the class of 2027 at The Grayson School. What I got back was not a “best of” reel showcasing a few star students, but a snapshot of the summer activities of the ten members of our junior class.
This list is an astonishing testament to the diverse and deep passions of our students. It is not intended to be an exhaustive summer program resource, but one that I hope inspires summer opportunities for your gifted teen or student to explore new challenges, programs, internships, or volunteer work that can build life-long skills, friendships, and memories.
Behold what the class of 2027 did last summer:
Community Service: 240 Hours of Missionary Work in Wales
Spending significant volunteer hours — whether it be in your neighborhood or anywhere in the world — in service of your community is a fabulous opportunity to build valuable skills, knowledge, and new perspectives.
Local non-profit organizations are always in need of help. You can find national organizations that need regional or local support and volunteers online.
Brown University Pre-College Oceanography Course
This intensive course introduces students to the four core branches of ocean science (Physical, Chemical, Biological, and Geological) through lectures, data analysis, and field work in Narragansett Bay in the Ocean State of Rhode Island.
Universities across the country provide pre-college programming that can jump-start an interest in a future field of study or simply satisfy a strong curiosity in any field. Click to learn more about pre-college programs at Brown University.
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Institute: Artificial Intelligence Course
This rigorous, project-based course allows talented high school students to gain an understanding of AI methods like supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning; applying mathematical concepts; and programming in Python to build ethical AI systems.
Click to learn more about Stanford’s pre-collegiate programs.
2025 World Humanoid Robot Games Gold/Silver Programmer
This high-level, international competition for humanoid robots demonstrates exceptional skills in robotics programming, control systems, and choreography. Our student had the opportunity to work with Unitree Robotics as part of engineering team who programmed the robots who earned 1st place in the group dance competition and the 2nd place in individual robot dance. What an exciting they had summer in China!
Look out for opportunities in unexpected places. Network, network, network.
“By 2029, the global robotics market could grow to a total value of 400 billion US dollars.” — A guest post by Henrik Bork, AAI News, How Humanoid Robots Performed at the First World Games | Translated by AI
Wolfram Summer Research Program: Cellular Automata
This advanced pre-college research program allows students to complete individual research projects with expert mentorship from Wolfram instructors and speakers. They also participate in hands-on activities and social events.
Our Upper School student’s project? They built a complex cellular automata to simulate the behavior of slime mold. Not icky at all.
Click to learn more about the Wolfram Research Program for high school students.
Designed a Model to Simulate Ampullae de Lorenzini
An advanced independent research project in which our student designed a computational model to simulate the function of the ampullae de Lorenzini, the specialized electroreceptors found in sharks, rays, and other fish. This model allowed them to better understand how this specialized organ in the pores of their snout aid in locating prey, finding hiding places, and navigating the ocean.
(Who knows? This may be what your own gifted child did during summer vacation — they just didn’t make a big a deal out of it.)
Kibo Robot Programming Challenge (Kibo-RPC)
Another dedicated student participated in the Kibo Robot Programming Challenge hosted by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and NASA, in which students compete in a programming simulation to win the chance to program the Astrobee and Int-Ball free-flying robots aboard the International Space Station (ISS)!
Run Away With the Circus at Camp Winnarainbow
As a counselor at Camp Winnarainbow, a premier circus and performing arts camp founded by the incomparable Wavy Gravy, this teen built leadership and life skills while fostering an inclusive and supportive community.
Teen leadership programs are a great way to stay connected with a favorite camp you’ve attended. Working alongside adults and assisting with activities, and taking on responsibilities for others as well as yourself in a safe environment is a great way to spend a few weeks, or more!
South Jersey Summer Series Regatta: Competitive Sailing
This Grayson Upper School sailor competed in the South Jersey Summer Series Regatta, strengthening their racing skills and sailing acumen!
What extracurricular activities is your teen passionate about? Inspire them to follow their interests—whether in a lab, on a stage, or on the water — because honing skills and taking part in competitions are a proven path to building confidence and self-discovery.
Mastering the Basics: Middle English and Old Chinese
At Grayson, humanities and the arts are as treasured as STEM subjects.
This intensely self-directed student chose to master the basics of not one, but two distinct ancient languages: Middle English (c. 1150–1450) and Old Chinese (c. 11th to 7th centuries BCE), demonstrating an extraordinary level of linguistic passion.
Visit the Ancient Language Institute to learn about their courses and tutorials.
Shakespeare in the Summer: Quintessence Theatre Group
Find acting workshops in your area, like at the Quintessence Theater Group in Philadelphia. This Shakespearean intensive taught skills for learning verse, text work, character development, and more. The attendees were able to apply those skills by performing an abridged Twelfth Night at the iconic Sedgwick Theatre!
Acting classes are a great way to explore a favorite playwright, to build your onstage chops, or to experience the supportive environment of the theatre that can boost your confidence and encourage creative risk-taking.
Hundreds of Hours in the Water: Rowing/Crew
This student athlete committed a vast amount of time to intensive physical and technical training in the sport of rowing (crew), focusing on fitness, technique, and teamwork.
You can find local clubs, university teams, and training centers in your area for a wide range of sports.
Summer Opportunities for Academic and Personal Achievement
The greatest summer opportunities emerge when we empower intellectually gifted teens with the time and support to explore their unique drives. A simple three-month break can turn into a period of profound learning, service, and high-level competition.
The next time I ask a Grayson student what they did over the summer, the answer won’t be simple. It will be extraordinary. What incredible things will they do next? I can’t wait to find out. What if I ask the teen in your house?
Leave a comment below to recommend other ideas to our readers or tell us what incredible and extraordinary things your teen did last summer!
Meet the Author
Jill Williford Wurman, Director of Research, is a founding member of the Grayson team. She serves as a valuable mentor to our Upper School students as they build their mastery transcript portfolio for their college applications.
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