Summer & Auxiliary Programs
Summerfun At The Common School
Summerfun 2025
Ages 3-13
Registration is NOW OPEN. Email emma@commonschool.org with questions.
Half-day camps (in addition to full-day) are available for 3-4 year olds.
Tuition for programs range from $290-$445.
Registration will open on January 28th, 2025 at 12pm.
Summerfun 2025 Schedule
Summerfun Group Descriptions
Ages 3–4 yrs
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(Two identical sections will be run simultaneously, Green and Blue)
$445 Full Day 8:30-3:30pm ( $425 of the week of June 30th-3rd)
$290 Half Day 8:30-12pm ($275 for the week of June 30th-3rd)
June 23rd – August 1st, one to six weeks optional. For developmental reasons, we strongly recommend signing up for two weeks when possible (*no camp July 4th)
8:30am-3:30pm with half-day option 8:30am-12pm available for this program only
Our youngest campers will learn about skills related to farm-life and sustainability through immersive play opportunities. The children will visit Bramble Hill with Farmer Robert twice a week to explore day-to-day life on a farm and to help with farm and garden projects. Camp days will include artistic projects, gardening, singing, stories, visits to the conservation area at Larch Hill, and splashing in the wading pools and sprinkler. Children will be offered a rest/nap time between 1-2pm daily.
Ages 4 yrs 10 mths–6 yrs
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$445 per week ( $425 of the week of June 30th-3rd)
June 23rd – August 1st, one week to six weeks optional (*no camp July 4th)
8:30am-3:30pm
*This program is best for our younger adventurers who might be exiting a preschool program , entering kindergarten or need a little more rest and relaxation in their day.
Come put on your boots, get out your binoculars and explore our local forest habitat! We will be going on adventures and learning about the flora and fauna of ponds, streams, forests and fields. Using The Common School’s grounds, Larch Hill Conservation Area, and Bramble Hill Farm as our laboratory, we will visit, study, and research the local habitat and reflect on it through artistic and creative activities. Each day will also include time for free play, stories, games, and water play.
Ages 5 yrs 10 mths–7 yrs
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$445 per week ( $425 of the week of June 30th-3rd)
June 23rd – August 1, one week to six weeks optional (*no camp July 4th)
8:30am-3:30pm
*This program is best suited for explorers who are ready for a more full day. We recommend that children have had one year of school beyond preschool or are entering 1st grade.
In this group, we will be exploring the ecosystems in our community. We will visit habitats in close proximity to The Common School and around Larch Hill. We will study the cause and effect of different inputs in our environment such as weather, water, erosion and changes in animal life. We will take hikes and excursions and engage with nature daily including harvesting and tending to our own school garden. Each day will also include time for free play, arts and crafts, stories, building activities, and of course water play.
Ages 8–13 yrs
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$445
One week
June 23rd-27th
8:30am -3:30pm
Welcome to SummerFun Olympics, where we play some favorite sports and exciting new games too! While competition can be engaging, cooperation is crucial to our growth as team players. Throughout the week, we will introduce age-appropriate activities which teach us that not every game has to be about winning and losing (but they do still have to be super fun!). Campers will also work together to develop their very own games that we’ll test and tweak so they are safe, fair, and inclusive to all! Whether it’s our classroom, a designated indoor play space, the forest trails, or Groff Park nearby, there are plenty of opportunities for us to explore and cool down too. Rain or shine, our SummerFun Olympics team will be creating and celebrating the joy in play!
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$445 per week ( $425 of the week of June 30th-3rd *no camp on July 4th)
Two weeks available
June 30th-July 11th
8:30am-3:30pm
STEAM Society introduces kids to engineering and invention activities focused on environmental sustainability through fun hands-on activities. Throughout the week, we will design, invent, and build projects that help solve environmental problems in a spirit of risk-taking and collaboration. Your child will have a great time while strengthening their problem-solving skills, creativity, confidence, and ability to collaborate with new friends. We will be incorporating the arts into our design and will have access to a wide variety of materials and modalities to meet the needs of our creative crew. Of course, we will also have relaxation and water play in the afternoons.
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$445 per week
4 weeks available
June 23rd-July 18th
8:30am-3:30pm
Let your child be a hero for a day! Dungeons and Dragons is a fantasy pen and paper role-playing game with epic heroes and legendary dragons. Imagination, role-playing, social skills, problem-solving, and cooperation are a few of the skills that can be developed from playing Dungeons and Dragons. Audio, visual, kinesthetic, and writing activities will give all types of children their own way to enjoy and learn from this experience. No prior knowledge of Dungeons and Dragons is necessary, and stories in the games will remain appropriate for all children attending. This camp will have the opportunity to visit the Groff Park splash pads and/or the Mill River during some afternoons to cool off and have some water fun.
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$460 ($30 stipend for materials split over the two weeks)
Two weeks
July 14th-25th
8:30am-3:30pm
*It is recommended that you sign up for both weeks of this camp in order to get the full experience. There is also a $25 materials fee applied to give you the most out of your experience.
Experience clay where it came from, in nature! Your children will be making projects that include the beauty of the natural world while learning about the fundamentals of ceramics. Kids will make pinch pot chia monsters, press flora and foliage into slabs of clay, and make coil vases (for the rest of those beautiful flowers we find!) and then they will be able to take what they’ve learned to make their own creative masterpiece.
In week one of this camp, we will focus on construction and ‘wet work’ with our clay.
In week two we will focus on staining, glazing and combining our work into multimedia installations.
As with all camps, there will be plenty of rest and relaxation as well as water-play.
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$445 per week
Two weeks available
July 21st-August 1st
8:30am -3:30pm
This camp is all about the popular trading card game Magic The Gathering! Magic is an exciting fantasy based strategy card game featuring powerful wizards, fearsome dragons, amazing heroes, and tactical spells. In this camp we will learn the fundamentals of Magic The Gathering by applying our math, reading, and critical thinking skills. Counselors will lead introductory groups where new players can learn the game alongside their peers. Campers will be provided with all of the needed cards and materials to play and even take home with them at the end of camp. Our final day will feature a series of mini-events where campers can show off the skills that they developed in a variety of classic Magic The Gathering formats.
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$445
One week
July 28th-August 1st
8:30am -3:30pm
This camp is designed for artists and makers who love to collaborate. In this course campers will create collaborative and socially engaged art with peers in a dynamic group setting. Furthermore, campers will have access to a variety of materials for their artistic endeavors and will be encouraged to get creative! Campers will have opportunities to work together in both small and large groups to develop their painting, drawing, building and sculpting techniques. In addition to daily and ongoing group art projects, each day will also include time for outdoor excursions and organized group play to foster a community of makers.
Counselors In Training
Ages 13-15yrs
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$200 per week
June 23rd – August 1st, one week to six weeks optional (*no camp July 4th)
8:30am-3:30pm
We are pleased to welcome five Counselors In Training per week to our summer programming here at Summerfun. CITs are generally former campers who would like to add responsibility and extend their experience at Summerfun, or young adults who wish to gain experience in leadership and education. In order to apply for the CIT program, please contact Emma Simmons directly at emma@commonschool.org.
Additional Information
QUESTIONS?
Please contact Emma Simmons at emma@commonschool.org if you have any questions.
Fees
A non-refundable deposit of $100 per week is due with application. The full remainder of fees is due by May 15, 2025.
Tuition Assistance
We have a limited amount of tuition assistance available for those who qualify. Please fill out this application with attached tax documents no later than March 1st, 2025 to be considered for assistance. You will be notified of your award by March 15, 2025.
Medical Information, Immunizations and Emergency Forms
All campers are required to submit health information. You can access your child’s complete immunization records and waiver through your pediatrician office portal. If you have questions please contact your pediatrician.
Waitlists
Once a group is full, we will automatically place other applicants on a waitlist. Families on the waitlist will be notified as soon as an opening occurs.
Cancellations/Withdrawals
Please note that all deposits are non-refundable. Families who withdraw 30 days or more before the start of camp will receive a refund of any fees paid minus the non-refundable deposit. Payments made towards your balance less than 30 days from the start of the camp season are non-refundable with the exception of a medical emergency. Refunds for these situations are at the discretion of the Directors. No refunds are provided for planned or unplanned absences or sick days or unexpected vacations.
ACTIVE Premium: Please note that our service provider ACTIVE may ask you to opt into a premium plan that protects your purchase for $89. This is NOT The Common School’s refund plan. If you choose to purchase this plan, please note that you will receive the refund from ACTIVE and will need to be in contact with them. If you believe you signed up for this plan in error, please contact support@active.com.
Afterschool Clubs
Sprouts: Caregiver/Child Classes
February and April Vacation Camps
Auxiliary Programs
Soccer Skills Clinic
Ages 7-9
$120 for April 30th-June 4th
Wednesdays 3:30-4:30pm
Registration opens April 4th at 12pm
We are excited to launch our Spring Soccer Clinic. This is a 6 week clinic for 7-9 year old soccer enthusiasts. Led by Erik Markowski, players will be developing footwork, gameplay techniques, teamwork and of course have fun!
Drop-off and pick-up will be at the front parking lot.
Afterschool Clubs
Ages 5-12
Weekday afternoons 3:30pm-5:30pm
Registration for spring sessions opens March 3rd
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Monday, March 31, 2025 - Wednesday, May 19, 2025
$300
Starting January 2025. Sign-ups in November. Come explore and create at the Common School art club! This series will include student driven experimentation with a variety of media in a safe, compassionate environment. Participants will have the freedom to explore the world around them, while enhancing their self confidence, and discover a deeper understanding of their self expression through art making. We will use many different mediums including but not limited to clay, fibers, paint, collage and more!
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Tuesday April 1st- Tuesday May 20th
Tuesdays 3:30pm-5:30pm
$325
Ages 8-12
This club is all about the popular trading card game Magic The Gathering! Magic is an exciting fantasy based strategy card game featuring powerful wizards, fearsome dragons, amazing heroes, and tactical spells. In this camp we will learn the fundamentals of Magic The Gathering by applying our math, reading, and critical thinking skills. Teachers will lead introductory groups where new players can learn the game alongside their peers. Club members will be provided with all of the needed cards and materials to play and even take home with them at the end of the session.
Afterschool Program Cancellation Policy:
24 hours after registration you may receive a full refund
15 days before session starts, you will recieve all but the $50 deposit back.
Less than 15 days before session starts, refunds are issued on a case by case basis.
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Wednesday, April 2nd- Wednesday, May 21st
$330
Starting January 2025. Sign-ups in November. Come explore and create at the Common School art club! This series will include student driven experimentation with a variety of media in a safe, compassionate environment. Participants will have the freedom to explore the world around them, while enhancing their self confidence, and discover a deeper understanding of their self expression through art making. We will use many different mediums including but not limited to clay, fibers, paint, collage and more!
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Thursday, April 3rd-Thursday, May 22nd
Thursdays 3:30pm-5:30pm
$325 (9 sessions)
Ages 8-12
Let your child be a hero for an afternoon! Dungeons and Dragons is a fantasy pen and paper role-playing game with epic heroes and legendary dragons. Imagination, role-playing, social skills, problem-solving, and cooperation are a few of the skills that can be developed from playing Dungeons and Dragons. Audio, visual, kinesthetic, and writing activities will give all types of children their own way to enjoy and learn from this experience. No prior knowledge of Dungeons and Dragons is necessary, and stories in the games will remain appropriate for all children attending.
Afterschool Program Cancellation Policy:
24 hours after registration you may receive a full refund
15 days before session starts, you will recieve all but the $50 deposit back.
Less than 15 days before session starts, refunds are issued on a case by case basis.
Child/Caregiver Programs
Ages 1-4
Weekday mornings
Registration for spring sessions opens March 3rd!
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Thursdays 9:15-10:15am
Thursday, March 13, 2025 - Thursday, May 15, 2025
$165
Our Outdoor Nature Play Program is designed to engage children ages 1 - 4 years, along with caregivers, in outdoor play that will spark curiosity and joyful learning. Each class will offer an "invitation to play" that will allow children and caregivers to engage as they feel ready and comfortable. While the "invitation" is the launching point for the day, the activities are designed to be open ended so we never know where the children's play will take us...which is the most exciting and fun part of the journey!
We are pleased to offer a 10% discount for siblings who register, please notify Emma at emma@commonschool.org if you would like this discount activated.
Vacation Camps
Ages 3-12
February 17th-21st and April 21st-25th, 2025
Registration for April SPRINGFUN will open March 10th at 12pm.
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We are pleased to offer three exciting options for February 2025:
Nature Fun (3-5 year olds)
STEAM Society (6-12 year olds)
Dungeons and Dragons (8-12 year olds)
A $50 deposit is due for all camps at time of registration. Cancellations for all but the deposit available until February 3rd, 2025. After February 3rd, refunds are on a case by case basis.
Camps available on a daily basis or whole week. We recommend that Nature Fun campers come for the whole week if possible.
Daily Rate $110
Weekly Rate $445
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We are pleased to offer three exciting options for April 2025
Little Artists (3-5 year olds)
Mixed Media (6-10 year olds)
Magic The Gathering (8-12 year olds)
Staff Bios
Director of Auxiliary and Summer Programming
Emma Simmons M.Ed. University of San Francisco
Emma is coming back for her second year directing the SummerFun program. After teaching at Summerfun and following 15 years as a head classroom teacher in the Bay Area, Emma is thrilled to be continuing to offer enriching high-quality child-centered programming. For Emma, summer at The Common School exhibits the best of what the school has to offer; beautiful natural playscapes, warm and deep relationships and a safe and inclusive environment for children and staff. When not at the top of the Common School driveway, Emma can be found playing in nature with her own two children or taking a pottery class, reading a book and enjoying the Pioneer Valley.
Assistant Director of Summerfun
Emily MacDonald
Emily began their career in education in 2008 working for the youth outreach non-profit South Shore Stars. They wore many hats in the 8 years working for Stars: summer camp counselor, after school specialist, a van driver, a unit head, STEM specialist, mindfulness specialist, and more. The next step in their journey was earning two degrees from Bridgewater State University: one in biology and one in elementary education. After graduating, Emily worked as a sixth grade science teacher in Revere for 5 years before moving to Western MA. Now, Emily works as the Associate E1 teacher. Emily spends their free time enjoying their home and pets, performing in their bands, and learning new crafts and skills.
QUESTIONS?
Please contact Emma Simmons at emma@commonschool.org or call 413-256-8989 if you have any questions.