Rivermont 2025 Summer Academies Start June 9th!
Rivermont Summer Academies will appeal to older students. Our summer academies offer specialized programs that align with middle and high school students’ diverse interests and developmental stages. Rivermont Summer Academies are structured so students taking more than one week of a session will continually expand and build upon their knowledge regardless of the weeks they select. So, each week is not a repeat of the previous. The range of activities, from sports training to intellectual challenges to art and creativity, cater to a broad spectrum of interests. Our summer academies also allow older students to further develop and hone their skills in specific areas of interest, such as the SAT Math Prep, SAT Verbal Prep, and ACT English & Reading Prep Academies, which address the practical needs of high school students preparing for college admission exams. Overall, the diverse and skill-focused nature of the programs creates an engaging and enriching summer experience tailored to the interests and aspirations of older students.
Entering and Exiting Campus
The Rivermont Collegiate campus is one way. Families dropping off their student(s) should enter from Sunset Drive and continue right around the circle to the doors at Building 3, then continue right to the lower lot and exit campus. Summer Academy students driving themselves may park in the student lot on the right as you enter campus.
- Students may arrive no sooner than 15 minutes before their scheduled session starts.
- Enter the circle drive to drop off and pick up in front of Becherer Hall (Bldg. 3) and then continue to the lower lot to exit the campus.
- All Summer Academies students must check in at the front desk in Becherer Hall.
Campus Attendance Policy for Summer Academy Participants
- Students cannot remain on campus if they are not actively attending a scheduled session.
- Loitering on campus between sessions is strictly prohibited.
- Failure to adhere to these policies may result in the student’s dismissal from the Summer Academy without a refund.
- Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring timely drop-off and pick-up of students.
Early Bird Pricing Ends April 30th!
Sessions & Descriptions
ACT English & Reading Prep Academy
For those who plan to take the ACT (in addition to or instead of) the SAT, this course will help students prepare by teaching language usage and rhetorical skills, as well as providing ample practice with reading comprehension, with the goal of boosting the ACT subscores for the English and Reading sections. The class instructor is Ms. Julia Durango, Rivermont’s Middle and Upper School English teacher and a published author.
ACT Math Prep Academy
For those who plan to take the ACT (in addition to or instead of) the SAT, this course will help students prepare by reviewing the algebra, geometry, and trigonometry concepts assessed by the math section of the ACT. The academy is led by Mr. Sangmin Park, Rivermont’s math and computer science teacher and an expert in test preparation.
Acting & Improv Academy
This academy is for anyone who isn’t afraid of being on stage. Students will play improv games, act out short skits, and gain comfort and confidence with vocal projection and nonverbal communication skills. The academy will be led by Mr. Hayden Richardson, a former theater kid himself.
Army Physical Training Academy
Want to build strength, speed, and stamina while also seeing if you have what it takes for the US Army? This academy is led by Mr. Hayden Richardson, who served in the army and will lead students in training exercises similar to the ones he followed during his time in service.
Cross Country Running Academy
This academy is designed for middle and high school students who intend to run cross country during the coming fall season. Each athlete will be provided developmentally appropriate workouts, building fitness over the course of the summer. Each day will include a warm-up, main workout, cool down, stretching, and light strength training. This academy will be overseen by Mr. Collin Lawrence, coach of the Rivermont cross country and track teams.
Crochet & Crafting Academy
For the artistically inclined, this academy will teach the art of crochet as well as other fun crafts. Students will learn techniques and crochet their own scarves, hats, or pouches. Advanced students can crochet stuffies or other more elaborate items. The academy is led by Mrs. Tiffany Johnson, who has taught crochet and supervised the knitting club for several years at Rivermont.
Esports Academy
Do you enjoy competitive gaming? Esports is one of the fastest-growing pastimes in the world. In the esports academy, students will engage in multiplayer games with peers, learning tips and tricks to improve their performance. The academy will be built around school-friendly games such as Mario Kart, Super Smash Brothers, FIFA, and Pokémon.
Fun With Code
For anyone who wants to learn about application development from idea to implementation. We’ll explore how to plan your software project, how to structure your code, and finally, put fingers to keys to build something that works. We’ll work on a web app and the tools to turn that into an app that runs on your laptop and mobile phone. No experience is necessary; we’ll start with the basics and build up from there.
Middle School Cooking/Baking Academy
Do you enjoy sweet treats? You’ll enjoy them even more if you learn how to bake them yourself! This academy will teach students how to read and follow recipes while experimenting to create new taste sensations. Students will learn basic skills and principles of cooking and baking while making a variety of desserts. The class is strategically placed after lunch so that creations can be enjoyed as a mid-afternoon snack. Mrs. Tiffany Johnson, a Rivermont English instructor and avid baker, leads the class.
Podcast Production Academy
Do you enjoy having conversations about interesting topics? Have you ever listened to a radio story and wondered how it was produced? This academy is for you! Each week, students will pick a topic and spend time researching it. The students will then work collaboratively to produce a loose script and finally will create a record of their podcasts! The academy will be led by Mr. Will Brin, Rivermont’s middle and upper school history instructor and a former podcaster.
RPG/D&D Academy
For students who enjoy playing Dungeons & Dragons and other role-playing games, this academy is for you. Fill out character sheets or army lists, paint miniatures, and engage in massive battles and grand adventures. The class is led by Mr. Hayden Richardson, an avid D&D player and Dungeon master.
SAT Math Prep Academy
The SAT Math Prep Academy offers a comprehensive learning experience, equipping you with various techniques and essential knowledge to tackle SAT math problems with confidence. Learn specialized methods crafted by Mr. Sangmin Park, Rivermont’s math and computer science teacher and an experienced test prep instructor, designed to solve algebra and geometry problems efficiently—ensuring you can navigate these challenges effectively during the test. Mr. Park covers a range of topics, from fundamental algebraic operations to advanced trigonometric functions and statistics, emphasizing those that commonly appear in the test.
SAT Verbal Prep Academy
This academy is primarily designed for incoming sophomores, juniors, and seniors who plan to take the SAT (or PSAT) this coming year. The class will familiarize the students with the type of test questions asked, enhance student vocabulary, and provide lots of practice and feedback to help students improve their SAT verbal scores. The class instructor will be Ms. Julia Durango, Rivermont’s Middle and Upper School English teacher and a published author.
STEM Academy
This academy is designed for middle and upper-level students who have a love for the sciences and the natural world around them. Students will learn about the mechanics guiding the world around them through discussion, observation, and experimentation. The group will engage in thrilling activities involving chemistry, physics, earth science, and biology! Exploding volcanoes, mouse-trap cars, dissecting frogs, and cracking open geodes are just some of the activities this academy has in store. The academy will be overseen by Mr. Hayden Richardson, Rivermont’s Middle School Science Teacher.
Upper School Cooking Academy
In this academy, you will learn culinary science while preparing your lunch! Week 1 will focus on eggs, pasta, and custard. Week 2 will teach about beans, rice, and beef. Week 3 is American food. The course instructor is Dr. Scott Wellnitz, Rivermont science teacher and resident foodie.
Video Production Academy
Have you ever wanted to host your own YouTube channel but didn’t know how? This academy teaches you how to plan and produce narrative videos each week, built around a different theme. A laptop with a built-in camera is required for this academy. The academy will be led by Mr. Hayden Richardson, Rivermont’s middle school science instructor.
Volleyball Academy
This academy is designed for middle and high school students who intend to play volleyball during the coming fall season or want to improve their volleyball skills. The class will be jointly led by Ms. Michelle Grimm, Rivermont’s volleyball coach, and Mrs. Jill Beinborn, a coach of one of the Platform Elite teams.
Weird History Academy
Do you love learning about history and hearing crazy stories about the past? Weird History will introduce you to places and times far different from our own while also discussing the methods historians use to interpret the past. The academy will be led by Mr. Will Brin, Rivermont’s middle and upper school history instructor.
About Rivermont Summer Academies
Rivermont Summer Academies run weekly from June 9 – August 1, 2025 (No sessions July 3rd or 4th).
Our Summer Academies are designed so students can register for any number of weeks. They can take a single academy or multiple academies (up to 4 in any given week). Sessions are structured so students taking more than one week of a session will continually expand and build upon their knowledge regardless of the weeks they select. So, each week is not a repeat of the previous.
Registration
Convenient Online Registration
Register for the grade level your student(s) will be this fall.
Make sure to submit all the required forms via links in your confirmation email before your student’s first session.
- Asthma Action Plan
- Epi Pen Self-Administration Form
- Food Allergy Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan
- OTC Medication Form
Registration Confirmation
Registration is completed online. Once payment is collected, you will receive a confirmation email listing the session(s) and the dates and times your student attends. If a session is full, you can be added to a waitlist without charge. NOTE: Some sessions may require students to bring supplies in addition to what the school provides. These additional supplies are listed in the camp description. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch with the Summer Camp Director.
Health Guidelines
- Any student who is ill should not come to camp.
- Students with a temperature of 100.4° or higher should stay home.
- Students will be sent home if they develop a temperature of 100.4° or higher while at camp.
- Students may not return until they are fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medications for 24 hours.
- Tuition will not be refunded due to illness.
Cancellations and Refunds
- Early Cancellations: A $25 cancellation fee per week per student will apply for cancellations made six (6) weeks or more before the session start date.
- Late Cancellations: A $50 cancellation fee per week per student will apply for cancellations made less than six (6) weeks before the session start date.
- No Refunds for Last-Minute Cancellations: No refund will be given for cancellations made within one (1) week of the session start date.
- Full Refunds for Cancellations by Rivermont: The registrant will receive a full refund if Rivermont Collegiate cancels a camp.
- Camps are not transferable to other participants.
Session Changes
Students may switch sessions up to one (1) week before the start date of the original session.
Switching is only allowed if the requested session has available spots.
Contact the school at 563-359-1366 with all cancellation and change requests.