a quality experience
There’s a sign on the wall in Collin McConaghy’s Luck Hall office that says, “Endless Summer.”
The term has any number of connotations.
If you’re into music, you might have heard of the band called Endless Summer.
If you’re into horticulture, you’re aware that a hydrangea bears that name.
If you’re an athlete, you no doubt think of that very long pre-season stretch before the heat lifts, school starts, and the games begin.
If you’re a child of the ‘60’s, your mind might transport you to the beach where you dreamed of traveling the world in search of that perfect wave as did the peripatetic, passionate surfer dudes in the documentary entitled, yes, Endless Summer.
If you happen to be retired, every day’s a Saturday – so I’m told –
and the summer is endless.
But if you’re the director of Collegiate’s Summer Quest, a role McConaghy has ably filled for eight years, your summer really is endless. At least it seems that way.
McConaghy’s job, you see, is a year-round gig, for he – along with his colleagues – is always thinking, planning, executing, and debriefing to ensure a better product the next time around.
All the effort has been well worthwhile as this year’s program approaches its final weeks.
“It’s been great so far,” McConaghy said one afternoon recently. “Weather’s been awesome. We’ll go over 3,300 spots filled, which is a record by a good chunk, and the kids are having a great time.”
McConaghy said that roughly 1,500 individuals account for those 3,300 spots.
“In the weeks that we run our summer programs,” he said, “we’ll have just as many individuals come to this school as we do during the regular school year, which is pretty neat.”
About 90 teachers/coaches assisted by 60 or so student aides direct the 175-plus offerings.
“A ton of our full-time folks are running camps, which is really awesome,” he continued. “They know how we do things, and they’re passionate about what they do. Quality goes through the roof.”
Summer Quest includes, well, pretty much everything.
There’re camps in 12 different sports plus an all-sports camp.
There’s a wide variety of academic options for enrichment or skill-strengthening. There’re SAT and ACT prep for high school students and study skills for Middle School.
There’re programs in disciplines as diverse as art, Kung Fu, chess, cartooning, cooking, sewing, animation, video design, and STEAM
There’re offerings for three-year-olds, for kids entering junior kindergarten, and for those coming to kindergarten to test the waters and get a feel for Collegiate. Hooked on Books continues to be a well-subscribed option for older Lower School kids.
There’s KickStart Fitness for adults hardy enough to toe the line at 5:30 a.m.
Brad Cooke, Outdoor Collegiate director, provides with his crew instruction on the Stephen P. Adamson Jr. Ropes Course, which was dedicated in November.
Carolyn Villanueva (Middle School English) teams with John Dau (global scholar in residence) to offer a leadership lab.
Why is Summer Quest thriving?
“Parents know their child is getting a full-time teacher – an educator – who’s passionate about what they’re doing,” McConaghy said. “If kids want to test something out during the summer to see if they’re interested…maybe they take a drone camp to see if that’s something they want to explore.”
Summer Quest began on-site on June 10, and the ensuing weeks have moved very quickly. The “endless” appellation notwithstanding, there is a final day: August 23. Then, after a respite, brainstorming begins anew for 2020.
“We work with our teachers during the school year to make sure we’re offering the latest and greatest that’s coming through each subject,” McConaghy said.
“Each year, the quality of our camps goes up. When kids show up for Summer Quest, they’re going to learn, and they’re going to be challenged, mentally and physically. We want to provide a really neat experience for everyone.”
