Explorer Programs

Summer is a time for the curious child to discover new interests, take an adventure, and explore the world around them.
   
Our Explorer Programs are intended for the child with an adventurous spirit and inquisitive mind.
   

Indoor Games

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

  • Introduction to Tabletop Wargaming and Miniatures in the STEAMworks Makerspace

    Coed, Grades 5 - 8

    Session I
    Dates: July 22 - July 26
    Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
    Location: Shaker Heights Campus
    Tuition: $325.00

    Session II
    Dates: July 29 - August 1
    Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
    Location: Shaker Heights Campus
    Tuition: $325.00

    Campers will learn the basics of an old hobby with renewed and rapidly growing popularity––tabletop miniature wargaming! An introduction to creating and painting miniature game pieces, 3D printing and laser cutting terrain for game boards, and learning the rules and tactics of sci-fi battles in the far future are just part of the fun! By the end of the week, campers will have their own squad of miniatures and terrain to take home and play their own battles, all without a screen!

    If your camper attends Session 1 and wants to attend Session 2, activities will vary enough to make it just as fresh and fun as the first week.

    Directed by Bob Newill

  • Cards & Connections

    Coed, Grades 5 - 8

    Dates: July 22 - July 26
    Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
    Location: Shaker Heights Campus
    Tuition: $185.00
     
    At Cards and Connections, boys will embark on the discovery of classic and new-age card games. From household favorites like euchre, rummy, hearts, Texas hold 'em, and blackjack to hilarious modern card games, our campers will learn the rules, tactics, and strategies behind each game. An experienced instructor will guide them through the intricacies, ensuring that every camper can hone their skills by the end of the camp.

    But it's not just about cards; it's about building connections. Campers will have the opportunity to engage in friendly competitions, team challenges, and collaborative card-building sessions. Campers will also have the opportunity to teach others their favorite card games. The camp environment fosters a sense of camaraderie, encouraging boys to make new friends, strengthen social skills, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Speaking of memories, each camper will receive a custom University School card deck as a reminder of Cards and Connections camp!

    Directed by Matt McCarter

LEGO & Minecraft Creations

List of 6 frequently asked questions.

  • Mining & Building: Minecraft-inspired LEGO Building

    Coed, Grades K - 2

    Dates: July 22 - July 26
    Time: 9:00 - 12:00 p.m.
    Location: Shaker Heights Campus
    Tuition: $205.00
     
    Travel to the Nether with Snapology, but watch out for those creepers! Come join us as we bring Minecraft® to life using LEGO® bricks. Create your own world, including animals, creepers, your very own Minecraft® character, and more!

    Directed by Bill Champ

  • Mining & Building EPIC with LEGO

    Coed, Grades 3 - 6

    Dates: July 22 - July 26
    Time: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
    Location: Shaker Heights Campus
    Tuition: $205.00
     
    Do you think you know everything there is to know about Minecraft® and more? In Snapology’s EPIC Minecraft®, you are going to be put to the test. Your knowledge is going to be challenged in games of crafting and building with LEGO® bricks. What ideas can you create in EPIC Minecraft® - perhaps something that you "nether" thought of before.

    Directed by Bill Champ

  • Snapology Engineers: Foundational

    Coed, Grades K - 2

    Dates: June 3 - June 7
    Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
    Location: Shaker Heights Campus
    Tuition: $205.00
     
    Does your learner love to tinker and create new things? If so, they’re going to love Snapology’s Foundational Engineering: Machines and Contraptions camp using LEGO® bricks! Campers will follow instructions to build various machines and contraptions, develop new design ideas, test out concepts, and have fun in teams!

    Directed by Bill Champ

  • Snapology Engineers: Masterminds

    Coed, Grades 3 - 6

    Dates: June 3 - June 7
    Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    Location: Shaker Heights Campus
    Tuition: $205.00
     
    Snapology Engineers: Masterminds program gives your camper the tools they need to understand mechanical movement through simple machines, physics, and engineering design using LEGO® bricks. Whether they are the creative-constructive type or prefer the inquisitive-deconstructive way of learning, this fun program is sure to spark their interests!

    Directed by Bill Champ

  • Snapology: Science of Superpowers

    Coed, Grades 3 - 6

    Dates: July 29 - August 2
    Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    Location: Shaker Heights Campus
    Tuition: $205.00
     
    In Snapology's Science of Superpowers program, campers will learn about the science behind their favorite heroes' powers and explore gravity, aerodynamics, forces, motion, and much more using LEGO® bricks and mechanical parts.

    Directed by Bill Champ

  • Snapology: Movie Favorites with LEGO

    Coed, Grades K - 2

    Dates: July 29 - August 2
    Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
    Location: Shaker Heights Campus
    Tuition: $205.00
     
    Bring your favorite animated movies to life using LEGO® bricks in the super-fun camp. Movies such as Super Mario, How to Train Your Dragon, Pokemon, and Trolls will be recreated using creativity, imagination, and LEGO® bricks. Don’t miss out.

    Directed by Bill Champ

Outdoor Adventure

List of 5 frequently asked questions.

  • Junior Explorers

    Boys, Grades 5 - 6

    Dates: June 24 - June 27
    Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
    Location: Hunting Valley Campus
    Tuition: $195.00

    Boys entering grades 5 and 6 will explore the Hunting Valley Campus learning the basics of reading a map, following navigation directions, knots, building a shelter and a fire.  We’ll also include learning about the forest communities of plants and animals in our mature beech/maple and oak/hickory forests. This is a great way to expose boys to the joy of the outdoors, camping and self-reliance. This is an all-weather camp so expect some happy, tired and dirt-covered boys at the end of it!
     
    This is led by Dr. Erick Carlson, 8th grade science faculty, Eagle Scout, and former backcountry ski patrol.

  • Master Fort Builders

    Coed, Grades 3 - 5

    Dates: June 4 - 7
    Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
    Location: Shaker Campus
    Tuition: $315.00

    Have you ever built a fort from pillows and blankets at home in the living room? We are going to take this challenge to the next level! Master Fort Builders is for boys and girls looking for a design challenge. Using various tools and materials, we will divide into teams for the ultimate fort-building adventure. We will put these forts to the test with an epic water balloon battle! 

  • Outdoor Adventures Camp

    Boys, Grades 6 - 9

    Dates: June 18 - June 21
    No camp 6/19, Optional Overnight on Friday 6/21
    Time: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
    Location: Hunting Valley Campus
    Tuition: $395.00

    Learn how to observe and enjoy the small and large parts of our landscape, from seedlings to screech owls. Boys will explore the forests, fields, streams, and ponds of the Hunting Valley Campus. Instruction on camping basics including tents, fires, cooking, and "Leave No Trace" ethics. There will be fishing, canoeing, swimming in the high school indoor pool, and s'mores and games galore! This camp will culminate with an overnight on Friday at the Hunting Valley Campus. Tent and cookware are provided, but participants will need their own sleeping bag. Dinner and breakfast are provided for the overnight. Camp starts on Tuesday, 6/18. No camp 6/19. Optional overnight 6/21 to 6/22.

  • Sailing Camp

    Coed, Grades 3 - 9

    Dates: July 29 - August 2
    Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
    Location: Shaker Campus
    Tuition: $480.00

    If you like being outside and on the water and want to learn about sailing, this camp is for you! You will learn important boating fundamentals and water safety at the beautiful Mentor Harbor Yachting Club. Experience kayaks, small dinghy sailboats, large sailboats, and powerboats on Lake Erie and the protected Mentor harbor. The week-long camp is run by experienced, certified, professional sailing instructors who will guarantee fun. No boating experience or ownership is required. Simply bring your life jacket, sunscreen, and lunch. This camp provides transportation to and from the yacht club. Pick-up and drop-off are at the Shaker Campus.  

  • SCUBA Camp

    Coed, Ages 10 to Adult
    Session I
    Dates: June 17 - June 21
    Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
    Location: Hunting Valley Campus
    Tuition: $550.00

    Session II
    Dates: July 15 - July 19
    Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
    Location: Hunting Valley Campus
    Tuition: $550.00

    Looking for a unique and immersive summer camp experience? Then look no further! Just Add Water’s Scuba Camp at University School is for you! Campers will complete the classroom and pool training required to earn their Scuba Certification. You will learn about dive safety, scuba equipment, and being a good dive buddy. In addition, you'll learn about the underwater world, aquatic life, and protecting the environment. Have tons of fun, be active, make friends, and learn to scuba dive with Just Add Water! Families, including adults, are welcome!

Science, Engineering & Design

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

  • Rocketry - Advanced

    Coed, Grades 7 - 9

    Dates: June 24 - June 28
    Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
    Location: Hunting Valley Campus
    Tuition: $350.00

    Join US Rocketry Team Coach Jim Seibyl in a hands-on engineering challenge as you design and launch powerful rockets. The Team America Rocketry Challenge is the world’s largest student rocket contest. Students routinely build rockets that launch thousands of feet in the air, approaching the speed of sound. This camp introduces you to the contest with hands-on discovery of rocketry highlighted by a mini competition with the rockets you design and build. Cost includes materials.

  • Aviation Challenge

    Coed, grades 7 - 9

    Dates: July 8 - July 12
    Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
    Location: Hunting Valley Campus
    Tuition: $350.00

    Explore the fun and exciting world of aviation! Design and build several different types of aircraft from paper, controlling them through an app on your smartphone or tablet. Learn about stability, flight control systems, center of gravity, lift, and aerodynamics. The week concludes with an exciting competition where you take your best design and compete in a challenging flight obstacle course. Campers keep the powered flight system at the end of the week. Cost includes materials.

Speech & Debate

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

  • Speech & Debate Camp - High School

    Coed, Grades 9 - 12

    Dates: July 15 - July 19
    Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
    Location: Hunting Valley Campus
    Tuition: $350.00

    This camp provides the opportunity to learn and practice the skills of high school speech and debate. Open to both beginners and students with middle school debate experience. Debate instruction will be tailored towards teaching students the basics of Lincoln-Douglas and Public-Forum style debates. Experienced debaters will have the chance to practice and sharpen their skills with expert feedback. Speech instruction will be tailored towards teaching the basics of speech competition and helping students get a jump on the season by starting to prepare their pieces.

    The week will end with a mini-debate tournament and a speech exhibition for students. James Lewis, US Speech and Debate Team head coach instructs on debate elements. His students have won several State Championships in the Lincoln-Douglas debate. 

    Directed by James Lewis

  • Speech & Debate Camp - Middle School

    Coed, Grades 6 - 8

    Dates: July 8 - July 12
    Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
    Location: Hunting Valley Campus
    Tuition: $350.00

    Enter the fun world of academic debate! Learn to speak in public, think on your feet, construct arguments, find evidence, and refute opposing views. Then you will practice debating against other middle school students and receive feedback on your performance in each round. The camp week includes a number of practice rounds to apply your learning and will conclude with a mini-tournament. The camp is led by US Debate Coaches James Lewis and Jeff Pierce assisted by current high school debaters. Complete novices as well as experienced middle school debaters are welcome to attend; debate experience is NOT required. This camp focuses on the core skills of public speaking and argumentation and does not assume everyone will continue on in debate.

    Directed by James Lewis


    Directed by James Lewis
Questions? Contact summer@us.edu or 216.371.6809.

Shaker Heights Campus

20701 Brantley Road
Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122
JUNIOR K – GRADE 8
Phone: 216-321-8260

Hunting Valley Campus

2785 SOM Center Road
Hunting Valley, Ohio 44022
GRADES 9 – 12
Phone: 216-831-2200
University School serves over 850 boys in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 on two campuses in suburban Cleveland, Ohio. The School’s mission is to inspire boys of promise to become young men of character who lead and serve. Dedicated faculty, rigorous curriculum, and experiential programs foster intellectual, physical, creative, and moral excellence. University School is a diverse and inclusive community where each boy is known and loved. 
© 2024 University School. All Rights Reserved.