Welcome to Sudbury Summer!

About Sudbury

The Summer Camp is modeled after our school's philosophy. Students choose their own pursuits without externally imposed curriculum or expectations. Staff members respond to student's requests for help, but do not impose their ideas or interrupt the activities which the students choose to pursue. By being allowed to pursue their own interests, students learn that they are ultimately responsible for their life and the choices that they make.

At a Sudbury school, the students are not divided by age. The older students help the younger students. The more experienced guide the less experienced and the more knowledgeable teach the less knowledgeable. This age mixing helps build confidence by showing the students that they are role models and contribute to the younger or less experienced.

Our school operates as a participatory democracy. The school's rules, policies and procedures are determined at the weekly School Meeting. This meeting is operated like a New England town hall meeting. Each student and each staff member gets one vote and the majority rules. Having the students be such an active part of the operation of the school show them that their opinions count; that voice is heard; that they are an important part of the community and that they matter.

The above is a very quick summary of our school's philosophy and day-to-day operation. Please read more of the articles on this site for many more details.

Sudbury Summer Camp

The Summer Camp will operate as a modified version of the school itself. It will have reduced attendance, and various summer activities will be included such as swimming, crafts, sports, etc. Our normal democratic procedures such as School Meeting will be made less formal. Our procedure for handling rules violations (the Judicial Committee) will be streamlined and meet less often than during the school year. All of the school's basic year-round resources will be available; internet-connected computers, a pool table, a commercial kitchen, the School Store stocked with organic snacks and frozen meals, a piano, a well-supplied art room, a full library, and much more. Hikes through the school property's 67 acres and the adjoining state park will be available.

Who Can Register

Students already enrolled in the Hudson Valley Sudbury School, or another Sudbury School, may attend. Anybody interested in the camp, but who is not enrolled in a Sudbury School, should attend an Information Meeting for the school . The last one scheduled for this school year will be Saturday, June 20, from 12 to 2pm. If you can't make this meeting you can instead attend one of the two Camp Orientation meetings; the first will be held on Wednesday, July 1st from 7pm to 10pm, the second will be help on July 18th from 12 to 2pm.

Cost , Registration and Staff

The Summer Camp costs $100 per week, and will be held from 9am-4pm, Monday through Friday. Any week that the number of registered participants is below 20, we reserve the right to cancel that week's camp schedule. We will have a ratio of roughly 1 staff member for each 10 students at the camp. The camp staff will all be Sudbury School staff members.

Please fill out and return the attached Registration form for the weeks your child(ren) will attend. If they are not enrolled in the school, please make arrangements to attend either the June 20th Information Meeting or one of the Camp Orientation Meetings. As it states on the Registration Form, full payment of tuition is due by or before the first day of camp attendance. Attendance is expected of all registered, and a refund is not available for partial attendance or a missed week.