Summer Writing Program

for 7th-10th graders

No skill is of greater importance in school—and in life—than the ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Our Summer Writing Program offers two weeks of small group writing instruction. More than that, though, the Summer Writing Program offers an ideal learning environment—mornings in small classes with inspiring teachers and afternoons outdoors with dynamic Overland leaders. Learning and fun, indoors and out—a great way to improve your writing.

Our Summer Writing Program is based in Williamstown, Massachusetts. We’ll be in class every morning, writing and revising under the guidance of a master teacher and two Overland leaders. In a supportive setting, students will break writing down into steps: brainstorming, outlining, writing a first draft, reading aloud, editing, revising and producing a finished product. We’ll focus on expository writing but will have fun, too, with poetry and short stories. Excited and confident, students will take risks in their writing and surprise themselves with the results.

Every afternoon, we’ll explore the Berkshire Hills by foot and bike. In the evenings, we’ll come together for dinner and dessert, reading, writing and games. During the weekend, we’ll enjoy camping and an exciting rafting trip. At the end of the program, each student will have had the chance to improve his or her writing and, as a result, build his or her confidence, while making friends and having fun in a close-knit and enthusiastic Overland group.

Learning should not be drudgery; it should be fun.  With inspiring teachers and a healthy balance of time “in school” and outside activities, the Summer Writing Program offers an energized educational experience.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy the process of writing
• Improve writing skills
• Hike, bike & swim in the Berkshires
• Raft the Deerfield River

GRADE

For students who will finish grades 7-10 in June 2009.  There are usually two groups per session, and students are grouped by grade—typical groupings are:

• One group with a mix of 7th & 8th graders
• One group with a mix of 9th & 10th graders

Call us (800.458.0588) to check on current availability.

START & END LOCATION

Starts and ends in Williamstown, Massachusetts

2009 DATES & FEES

2 Weeks

Sunday, June 21 to Friday, July 3
Sunday, July 5 to Friday, July 17
Sunday, July 19 to Friday, July 31

$3095(airfare not included)

APPLY TODAY

Most groups fill in January & February. To download an application, click here.

“Amazing!” Ben Vaughan, Chicago, Illinois

Students: Is This Program Right For You?

The Summer Writing Program requires a positive attitude and enthusiasm for writing.

Keep in mind that your enjoyment of this trip will hinge on certain factors:

1. Your motivation for improving your writing. You will get out of this program what you put in!

2. Your commitment to teamwork. Overland trips require compromise, patience and selflessness. Support your trip leaders and your trip mates, and you will find that you'll have a great time!

Trip Details

The Summer Writing Program is located in the beautiful town of Williamstown, Massachusetts, on the Williams College campus. For students who drive to the program start (Williamstown is three hours north of New York City and three hours west of Boston), we'll meet at our group accommodations on campus. For students who fly, Overland staff will be on-hand in the Albany airport to meet you, assist with luggage and transport you by van the 42 miles to Williamstown.

After we've settled into our rooms in a Williams College dorm (doubles shared by Overland students of the same gender), we'll reconvene and spend the afternoon getting to know one another. In the morning, we'll meet with our master teacher and have our first writing session.

During the afternoons, our fun Overland leaders will guide you on hiking and biking adventures around Williamstown and the surrounding Berkshire area, and during the weekend, we'll spend two nights camping outdoors at a nearby campsite, and we'll take a fun rafting trip down the Deerfield River.

We will enjoy ten meals a week(breakfasts and dinners) in a Williams College dining hall, and the rest of the meals(lunches and meals during our camping trip), we will prepare as a group.

Throughout the week, there will be plenty of time for recreation, as well as reflection, games and quiet time to work on your writing. Learning should not be drudgery; it should be fun. Our Summer Writing Program offers an energized educational experience.

“A great program, combining educational and athletic experiences.” Amy Fitzgerald, Wayland, Massachusetts

Our Master Teachers

Trudy Ames is the recipient of numerous awards and grants toward the study and teaching of writing. She holds an MFA from Bennington College and her poems have been published in many journals and anthologies. Ms. Ames has taught high school English for twenty years.

Liza Barrett has been a middle school English teacher for twenty-two years. She began her career at the Greenwich Country Day school in Connecticut where she taught Upper School Social Studies and English for ten years, and she has been teaching 7th and 8th grade English at Mount Greylock Regional High School for the past twelve years. She has a BA in English and Psychology from Wesleyan University, and holds a Masters in Education. Liza's passion is teaching writing to middle school students. She has extensive experience teaching all forms of writing including expository, creative and literary analysis.

Pat Blackman has taught middle school and high school social studies for seven years in western Massachusetts.  He currently teaches 8^th grade American history and uses music, creative writing and the visual arts to help students gain depth of understanding.  He has two bachelor’s degrees, one in history and one in religious studies.  He is an amateur guitarist, singer and poet and is noted in his school for providing students with a direct experience of the music of America’s past by performing the songs himself.

Mary MacDonald has taught English and creative writing for fourteen years in New York City and Berkshire County, Massachusetts.  Her students have ranged from sixth graders through graduate students. Currently, she teaches at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School, where she collaborates with the Edith Wharton Restoration at The Mount to create professional development programs for teachers of prose and poetry. She holds degrees in English from Boston College and Teachers College, Columbia University.

“The Summer Writing Program was a blast, and my leaders were amazing! .” Conor O'Rourke, Stamford, Connecticut

The Daily Schedule

Each day we'll start out by having breakfast together in a Williams College dining hall before meeting with our master teacher who will lead us through the process of expository writing- brainstorming, outlining, writing a first draft, reading out loud, editing, revising and producing a final product- in a fun and encouraging environment.

Every day after class, we'll make lunch together and then our leaders will guide the group through various fun activities to get us out and exploring the beautiful Berkshires. The evenings will consist of eating dinner together in a Williams College dining hall and dessert circle, a time to reflect on the day's progress and growth. After dessert circle, we'll come together for reading, writing and games. During our weekend, we'll camp outdoors and raft on the Deerfield River.

“One of the best weeks of my life!” Lily Bodinson,West Hartford, Connecticut

 Supervision & Safety

Overland’s two leaders, a man and a woman, provide 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week supervision of the highest standard. Our leaders are dedicated, first and foremost, to making each student's experience with us a safe and enjoyable one. By creating a supportive and wholesome environment, our leaders help each student to feel comfortable and at home. In this kind of setting, friendships flourish and teamwork grows; challenges are welcomed and accomplishments are celebrated. For nearly 25 years, Overland's students have felt safe and secure in our talented and conscientious leaders’ hands.

On Overland's Summer Writing Program the group stays together all day: in the morning, we are in the classroom writing and revising; in the afternoon, we head outdoors to explore Williamstown and the surrounding Berkshire countryside; and in the evening, we prepare dinner and dessert and talk about the day's adventures. We get up early (usually before 7:00 a.m.), have full, active days, and head to bed soon after dark (typically between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m.).

We set high expectations for each student’s behavior—we expect respect and consideration for others, a positive attitude, and an eagerness to help make the program a success in every way possible.

In every decision we make, safety comes first. We plan our programs carefully choosing the best accomodations and activities. Since our first trips in 1985 our safety record has been superlative; it's no wonder, then, that Overland is one of the few organizations of its kind to earn accreditation by the American Camp Association.

For nearly 25 years our caring and competent leaders, our superlative supervision, our high expectations, and our commonsense approach to safety have made Overland the number one choice for summer programs.

Overland Leaders

In a world where strong leadership skills make the difference between the average and the exceptional, Overland recruits and trains only the best to be our leaders. Not only do these remarkable people capably lead our groups, they also offer our students the kind of role modeling for which Overland has long been recognized.  Bright, charismatic and accomplished, our leaders ensure the safety and well-being of every Overland student, and then they provide much, much more, inspiring our students to reach for their potential in every way. 

You won’t find a more dynamic and talented group of people than Overland’s leaders. Most Overland leaders have played varsity sports and many have captained their teams; they have served as student government officers, volunteered as peer counselors and directed campus organizations. They are high achievers who come to Overland with a lifetime of leadership experience—but just as importantly, they are warm, wonderful people who are eager to work with Overland’s students.

Overland’s leaders prepare carefully for the summer. We know of no other program that requires certification in First Aid, CPR and lifesaving—every Overland leader has all of these plus our own 10-day training program that focuses on safety, supervision and leadership. All of our efforts prepare Overland’s caring and committed leaders to create safe, supportive and valuable programs where each of our students can flourish.

Meet some of our spectacular returning leaders.

How We Put Our Groups Together

We have a number of important criteria for every group:

Size: Every Overland group is limited to 12 students.
Grade: We generally group 7^th & 8^th together, 8th & 9th together and 9^th& 10^th together.
Gender: Groups are coed; the male/female ratio is always carefully balanced (6:6, 7:5 or 8:4).
Friends: We allow two pairs of friends in a group (we never allow three or more friends to travel together). With a maximum of two pairs of friends there will always be space available for at least eight students to come on their own without a friend. Furthermore, if we enroll two pairs of friends in a group and both pairs are of one gender, we generally try to: (1) enroll three or four more students of that gender in that group, or (2) close the group to additional students of that gender.

Getting To & From The Program

Families are responsible for making travel arrangements to and from Williamstown, Massachusetts. Overland’s leaders will be on hand at the airport to provide supervision and assistance at trip start and end.

Additional Costs

Transportation to and from program start and end locations, spending money and personal gear are not included in the program fee.

“The Summer Writing Program was excellent and organized.” Jonathan Davis, Chicago, Illinois

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