Summer Enrichment: Expanding Opportunities for Growth

As Mother Nature hints at the arrival of spring, it's the perfect time to consider enrichment activities that go beyond the classroom. Daisy ’25 and Alvina ’25, our Seniors in Charge (SICs) of Guidance, are passionate about encouraging their peers to explore such opportunities and made this the goal of their leadership role this year. Both have already embraced enriching experiences — Alvina delved into bioengineering and robotics, while Daisy took on leadership roles in language teaching and math contests.

Summer is an excellent time for students to enhance their skills, explore new interests, and gain valuable experiences. There are many reasons to consider summer enrichment:

It is important to debunk some common myths about the type and value of summer enrichment that a student may choose to engage in. It is a common misconception that getting into a summer program guarantees university acceptance and that only academic programs that offer credit matter for university applications.

In reality, what admissions officers truly value is the growth students experience. Whether it's an academic program, volunteering, or pursuing a personal passion, the key is the reflection and skills gained from it. Universities won’t be impressed simply because a student does an academic program, even if it is their own. They will, however, appreciate the person that student is becoming as a result of interesting involvement – no matter where or how they get them, especially if the student learns to write reflectively about the experience! (Another purpose of the Springboard surveys, introduced earlier this month.)

Remember, there’s no "one size fits all" for summer enrichment. What matters is what students learn from the experience—whether it’s in the classroom, the community, or abroad; what matters is HOW they do it.   It's the "learning" from the activity that has value, not the activity itself. It is an opportunity to explore, grow, and challenge themself.

Looking for opportunities? Alvina and Daisy have compiled a list of enriching summer programs, featuring opportunities in STEM, humanities, business, leadership, and more. Here is the Padlet collection which was highlighted in Chapel on Monday and shared with students on Edsby.

Reach out to program providers directly, seek references, apply early, and check age requirements. And don’t forget to ask your student’s guidance counsellor for advice on navigating the many exciting options available!