Summer Adventures
2026 REGISTRATION will open very soon!
Programs for children who are 6-11 years old and Teen Leadership opportunities for youth 11-14 years old.
Cost:
June & August Programs: $335 per week or $75 per day
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Morning Activities: Children will be involved in active exploration as they learn, invent and build, and/or use technology and art materials to design solutions to various problems.
Lunch and Recess: Children bring their own lunches and drinks for each course. We ask that you pack a nutritious lunch and save sweets and soda for home.
Afternoon Activities: Because of the rich content of our courses, activities will continue into the afternoon following a break for lunch/recess. Swimming is an option at select locations when weather permits under the supervision of a certified lifeguard.
Locations: The Phoenix School, Winter Island, Forest River Park, and Salem State University’s Conservation Land and Salem Willows will be the locations for the programs this year. Not all locations are used each week; See weekly descriptions for locations.
Staff: Experienced Phoenix teachers, past and present, lead each Summer Adventure program; Full staff bios are below program descriptions.
PROGRAMS:
Super Hero Science
June 15-19, 2026
8:30 am-3:00 pm
Ages 6 to 11 * $335 per week or $75 per day
Invention Convention
June 22 – June 26, 2026
8:30 am-3:00 pm
Ages 6 to 11 * $335 per week or $75 per day
Maker Missions
August 17 – 21, 2026
8:30 am-3:00 pm
Ages 6 to 11 * $335 per week or $75 per day
Take on a series of interactive outdoor STEAM missions. Race marbles on an outdoor marble track that you create in a team, build the strongest spaghetti tower, experiment with sandcastle shapes and strengths, investigate flying abilities of animals and utilize your learning by making a simple twirling helicopter model with straws and paper, and create a unique light maze. Four days will be spent at the Salem Willows and one day at Winter Island. Weather permitting, swimming will be an option. Register online
Water World
August 24 – 28, 2026
8:30 am-3:00 pm
Ages 6 to 11 * $335 per week or $75 per day
Water makes up about 71% of our Earth, but imagine if it was almost 100% water! Take the challenge to live in a water world by building a floating city, creating and analyzing your own watershed, learning from beavers and trying to make a natural dam, testing water quality, building a boat only powered by rubber bands and balloons, and conducting a water experiment using local tidepools. Four days will be spent at the Salem Willows and one day at Forest River Park. Weather permitting, swimming will be an option. Register online
Teen Leadership Program
12 – 14 year-olds
Hours: 8:30 to 3:15
Fee: $125 per week
Offered both June and August
The Teen Leadership Program is for young people who are too young to have a job, but are interested in spending a week assisting our course teachers in the field, mentoring younger children, helping out with the activities for the day, supervising recess or play at the park. Teen Leaders (TL) will be given special assignments by their directing teacher and be responsible for various odd jobs that make the course run smoothly. Interest in science, animals, inventing and building with art materials, and using technology (Mac based) to create presentations — a plus.
TLs should have had previous experience working successfully with younger children, be able to work as a member of a team and have a basic understanding of how children learn through active exploration. 1-2 applicants will be accepted for each course.
Along with their Registration Form, interested TL applicants should send a list of their experiences working with young children and a letter that explains their interest in the program. On your Registration Form rank the courses in order of preference and submit your application by June 1st. You will then be invited for an interview and further clarification of our expectations.
Accepted applicants will meet with the course teacher before each session begins. They will work closely with course teachers and be given feedback on their performance. A final evaluation will be written that may be used as a recommendation for future summer employment with young children.
Questions: Call The Phoenix School at 978-741-0870 or email [email protected]
Refund Policy:
- between the registration date and up to 2 months (60 days) from the first date of the session – full refund less the $20 non-refundable administrative fee.
- between 59 days and 1 month (30 days) out from the first date of the session – refund 75%
- between 29 days and 2 weeks (14 days) out from the first date of the session – refund 50%
- less than 2 weeks from the session start date – refund 35%
- no advance notice – withdrawn or non-attendance on or after the start date of the session – no refund.
Staff Bios:
Mike Smith: Current Phoenix teacher, a past program director at New England Science & Sailing, a kayak guide in the San Juan Islands, a marine science naturalist on whale-watching vessels in New Jersey, a sailing and science instructor aboard Tall Ships in California, and teaching math, reading, and writing in a K-3 school in Nicaragua. He is also a director of Common Tides, a non-profit that provides free marine science and sailing programs to children from underserved communities. Mike is a Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor, NAUI Rescue Diver, ACA Coastal Kayak Certified, NSSIA SUP/Surf Instructor, and a USCG Master 100GT Captain.
Dave Morrill: Dave joined TPS in September 2022. Coming with experience in both private and public school settings, teaching those with behavioral, academic, or social challenges in inclusionary and sub-separate settings. Dave received his license in Special Education, Moderate Disabilities K-8, from Bridgewater State University as a part of his Masters’s program in 2021. He graduated from Endicott College in 2016 with a BA in Psychology and Education and began his M.Ed. S.P.E. in 2017.