Sunshine, no school, possibilities for vacation or time with friends… Summer break offers many opportunities for students. It can be an opportunity to work hard, improve academic skills and prepare for the next school year. It can also be an opportunity to have fun and take a break from school stress. Or a balance of both. No matter what, students must make a decision that can be difficult: how to spend their summer.

“I think a really good question to start with when I work with kids is to ask them ‘What would you like to do in the summer?'” Resource Teacher for the Gifted Elizabeth Burgos said. She encourages many students to be involved in summer programs. “I feel like it’s a great time to do the things that you enjoy doing, whether that is painting, hiking, Staffswimming, or playing a musical instrument.” 

Summer camps offer different options where the opportunity to learn different kinds of skills is available.

“I think a summer camp is for a student to help them develop skills that they’re interested in,” said Burgos. 

Leo Brigham is a sophomore who goes to the Sea Cadets program over the summer, a Navy-sponsored organization designed to teach individuals about the military at sea.

“I’m really interested in learning more about medicine,” said Brigham. “I like cooking. So those trainings appealed to me.”

Another option for a student who wants to work over the summer is a summer job.

“Maybe you want to just see what it’s like to make money,” said Burgos. “And maybe it could be working at a coffee shop, or doing an internship.” 

Richard Chen, a sophomore who currently works at Starbucks and plans to continue doing so over the summer, is an example. 

“I like the job because it actually focuses on connections between people,” said Chen. “Because not only do you have to communicate with customers, we also have to work together with our co-workers as a team to do the job properly.” 

The school also has an option to take the required Economics and Personal Finance course virtually over the summer.

“I’m taking that class [Economics] so I don’t have to take it during the school year, so I can do another elective next year.” Chen said. 

In the end, the decision for what to do in the freedom offered by the summer is something the student should decide based on their preferences.

“I think it’s sort of a personal choice,” said Brigham. “I think that summer camps are a really good way to meet new people or expand on your interests, but I think that there are some people who probably would be happier doing stuff on their own, and I think that’s fine.”

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