The Bush School
Experience Education

Summer Programs

Learning and Exploration

Your summer adventure awaits at The Bush School. We are excited to welcome campers for a range of summer classes and camps for students entering Kindergarten - Grade 12. Bush summer camps are open to the greater community, welcoming students from beyond Bush to enjoy summer on one or both of our two campuses in Seattle, Washington and the Methow Valley in Mazama, Washington.

Full course descriptions and dates from the summer of 2023 for reference of Bush Blazer Athletics, Camp Galileo, and Upper School Academic Classes can be found below. 

Seattle Campus Summer Programs

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  • Bush Blazer Athletics

    The Blazers Summer Athletic Camps focus on teaching and developing fundamental technical and tactical sports skills in a fun and challenging atmosphere. Participants are able to apply the experience they gain to their participation in recreational, club and/or interscholastic sports teams.

    Our experienced and qualified coaches will utilize age-appropriate coaching methods which aim to teach offensive and defensive skills, team strategies and mental aspects such as teamwork, leadership, confidence and fair play. Following the Blazers Athletic philosophy, coaches will encourage campers to work hard and to improve various aspects of their game while developing a love for the sport. All levels are welcome! 

    REGISTER NOW! 2023 SUMMER BLAZER ATHLETICS CAMPS

    Questions? Email jo.ito@bush.edu

    COURSES 2023

    Tennis (All Genders)
    Dates:  Monday, June 26-Friday, June 30
    Age: 6-8 Grade
    # of Days: 5 Days
    Time: 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
    Location: Outdoor courts at Amy Yee Tennis Center 
    A shuttle van to Amy Yee will be provided for students who participate in a morning sports camp during this week
     
    Ultimate Frisbee
    Lead Instructor: Kate Kingery
    Dates:  Tuesday, June 20 - Friday, June 23
    Age: 6-12 Grade
    # of Days: 4 Days
    Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
    Cost: $190 (Half Day); $360 (Full Day)
     
    Girls Basketball
    Lead Instructor: Anna Gabbert
    Dates:  Monday, June 26-Friday, June 30
    Age: 6-8 Grade
    # of Days: 5 Days
    Time: 9:00 a.m. - Noon
    Location: The Bush School, Schuchart Gym
    Cost: $240
     
    Boys Basketball
    Lead Instructors: Tarren Sumler, Maxwell Cromett, Sean Austin
    Dates:  Tuesday, June 20-Friday, June 23
    Age: 6-8 Grade
    # of Days: 4 Days
    Time: 9:00 a.m. - Noon
    Location: The Bush School, Schuchart Gym
    Cost: $190
     
    Girls Volleyball
    Lead Instructors: Bradie Ferguson 
    Dates:  Tuesday, June 20-Friday, June 23
    Age: 6-8 Grade
    # of Days: 4 Days
    Time: 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
    Location: The Bush School, Schuchart Gym
    Cost: $190

  • Camp Galileo

    The Bush School welcomed back Camp Galileo to its campus this past summer for the second year in a row! Galileo engages every kid with hands-on projects that teach design-thinking and problem-solving skills, all wrapped in big summer fun. Energetic, inclusive staff and world-class curriculum make for a summer kids love. Camp Galileo has been providing decades of fun for campers at 70+ locations in California, D.C., Chicago, and Denver. The Bush School is Camp Galileo’s first Seattle location. 

    Questions: For questions related to enrollment, parents/guardians can email at: info@galileo-learning.com or call 1-800-854-3684. 

  • Upper School Academic Classes

    UPPER SCHOOL ACADEMIC CLASSES

    Writing the College Essay
    Instructors: Melissa Manning & Dana Perkins
    Dates:  Three sessions/ 2 courses per session
    • Monday, July 24 – Friday, July 28
    • Monday, July 31 – Friday, August 4
    • Monday, August 7 – Friday, August 11
    Age: For rising Twelfth Grade students only
    # of Days: 5 Days
    Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (break for lunch)
    Location: In-person at The Bush School 
    Cost: $750
     
    Geometry
    Instructors: TBD
    Dates: Monday, June 26 - Friday, July 14 (No class on July 4)
    Age: 9-12 Grade, open to all students
    # of Days: 14 Days
    Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
    Location: In-person at The Bush School 
    Cost: $1250
    Prerequisite: Students who have completed Algebra
     
    Introductory Calculus
    Instructors: TBD
    Dates: Monday, June 26 - Friday, July 14 (No class on July 4)
    Age: 9-12 Grade, open to all students
    # of Days: 14 Days
    Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
    Location: In-person at The Bush School
    Cost: $1250
    Prerequisite: Math Analysis or equivalent Pre-Calculus course
     
    Math Analysis
    Instructors: TBD
    Dates: Monday, June 26 - Friday, July 14 (No class on July 4)
    Age: 9-12 Grade, open to all students
    # of Days: 14 Days
    Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
    Location: In-person at The Bush School Seattle Campus
    Cost: $1250
    Prerequisite: Advanced Algebra and Geometry

    Pre-Season Writing
    Instructor: TBD
    Dates: August 14 - 25
    Age: 9-10 Grade
    # of Days: 10 Days
    Time: 9:00-11:00 a.m.
    Location: In-person at The Bush School Seattle Campus
    Cost: $650
    # of students: 13

    Description: The transition into high school is an important one. This class will help students manage this transition by preparing them to write at a high school level. Students in the Pre-Season Writing course will have a chance to brush up on techniques they may not have used much during the summer. Drafting and gathering feedback on writing in a helpful workshop atmosphere will allow students to combine the serious purpose of building stronger skills with the fun of working together. The goal is to have students enter their high school year with a sharpened sense of how to write well at this level. This course will focus on three areas of preparation: approaching writing assignments, generating ideas, and reviewing the basics.
    • Approaching writing assignments: How to "receive" an assignment, understand what is being asked, break it down into manageable chunks, and do the assignment in an efficient, timely, and effective manner.
    • Generating ideas, or brainstorming: How to develop a simple idea into a complex nuanced argument, how to narrow a broad idea into a focused topic, and how to write a strong thesis statement.
    • Reviewing the basics: writing strong, varied sentences; focused, complete, and concise paragraphs; and logical, tightly organized essays. Attention will be given to grammar, mechanics, spelling, and vocabulary in context.
    Study Skills for High School
    Instructor: TBD
    Dates: August 14 - 25
    Age: 9-10 Grade
    # of Days: 10 Days
    Time: 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
    Location: In-person at The Bush School Seattle Campus
    Cost: $500
    # of students: 13

    Description:     The transition to high school is a time of tremendous change. This course is designed to ease the transition by providing students with the study skills and tools necessary to manage a more demanding academic load. The course will address homework habits, planning, time management, organization, big projects and tests, mental health, self-reflection, and self-advocacy.

  • Upper School Robotics

    Instructor: Grace Hayek and Jeffrey Adjei
    Dates: Three Sessions, pick one, two, or all three!
    • Week 1: Monday July 24 - Friday July 28 – design and proof of concept
    • Week 2: Monday July 31 - Friday Aug 4 – prototyping and testing
    • Week 3: Monday, August 7 - Friday Aug 11 –  assembly and coding
    Age: 9-12 Grade, open to all Upper School students
    # of Day: 5 days per session
    Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
    Location: In-person at The Bush School Seattle Campus
    Cost: $375

    Description: Are you interested in Robotics Club — or already in it? We’re inviting all levels, from beginners to experienced engineers and coders, to join us for the first-ever summer design/build series.
     
    Competitive robotics is rapidly gaining popularity in the Seattle area. Maintaining Bush Robotics as a team to be reconned with depends on plenty of time to design and build — oh, and to get it wrong, too. Iteration and testing is what this class is all about. Since robotics contests start early in the fall, let’s get a jump on your designs.
     
    This summer workshop is about your ideas and ambitions. The Vex Robotics platform has become ever more exciting as they’ve added all manner of sensors, including vision, inertial, and even GPS. The Bush Robotics team have a history of thinking differently about how to approach each game, and we’ve built an inviting creation lab for whatever you can scheme up.
     
    Join us for one or more iterations in this series of design/build sessions. Even if you can’t make all of them, you can still have a big impact on the final robot and a hand in elevating Bush Robotics.
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Financial Aid for Summer Programs
There is limited financial aid available for Bush Summer Programs upon request for Bush Upper School students who receive financial aid for tuition. For more information on financial aid coverage for Bush Summer Programs, please contact Director of Enrollment Management Adam Choice at adam.choice@bush.edu.

Methow Campus Summer Programs

The Bush School offers summer programming at our Methow campus to provide school-age children the opportunity to explore the Methow Valley’s environment, history, and culture, and to learn new skills. Each camp is led by an experienced instructor, with assistance provided by additional qualified staff.
 
Camps use The Bush School’s campus in Mazama as a base, but also venture to destinations around the valley to explore the session’s chosen theme. Campers can expect to be outside in any weather, and be active and engaged. Each camp, listed below, runs Monday through Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Campers bring their own lunch and water bottles.
 
These camps primarily serve permanent residents of Methow Valley, but we encourage visiting families to apply. Please note, we do not offer transportation from Seattle and or overnight accommodation on campus. 

List of 3 items.

  • Young Explorers

    Dates: Monday, August 7 – Thursday, August 10
    Location:  Methow Valley Bush Campus, 225 Lost River Rd, Mazama WA, 98833
    Times: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
    Ages: 6-9 years-old
    Cost: $270
    Transportation: 8:30 a.m. drop-off at red barn in Winthrop; 3:30 p.m. pick-up at red barn in Winthrop 
     
    Description: In this week of wilderness exploration and artistic expression, students will discover the magical secrets of nature in the woods and waters around The Bush School’s Methow Campus. Using all their senses and a variety of tools, students will develop naturalist skills and create art from and inspired by nature. Friendships will develop and grow as kids share feelings, ideas, and new experiences, all in a nurturing environment with caring teachers. Come be creative and explore the outdoors with us!

  • Fly-Fishing Fly-Fishing (10-12 years-old, no prior experience necessary)

    Dates: Monday, July 31 – Thursday, August 3
    Location:  Methow Valley Bush Campus, 225 Lost River Rd, Mazama WA, 98833
    Times: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
    Ages: 10-12 years-old
    Ability: No experience necessary
    Cost: $270
    Transportation:  8:30 a.m. drop-off at red barn in Winthrop; 3:30 p.m. pick-up at red barn in Winthrop 
     
    Description:  Mayflies, wooly buggers, and cutthroat–oh my! In this fly-fishing camp, campers learn about aquatic insects in the Methow Valley, how to tie their own flies, and how to cast with a fly rod. Students also learn what fish eat, how to "read" water, and how to wade safely. Campers have three on-the-water experiences with the opportunity to catch fish on flies that they’ve tied!
     

  • Methow Wildlife Camp

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    Organization: Home Range Wildlife Research
    Location: Methow Valley Bush Campus, 225 Lost River Rd, Mazama WA, 98833
    Dates: Monday, July 10 - Thursday, July 13
    Times: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
    Ages: 9-11 years-old
    Cost: $275
    Registration: Click here to register. 
     
    Description: Learn about wildlife living in the Methow Valley and how wildlife biologists study these animals. From camera traps to tracking, in this experience Methow Wildlife campers spend their days outdoors exploring The Bush School Methow Campus and discovering all the life it holds. All students should come prepared to spend long hours outside. Please bring sunscreen, hat, water bottle, rain jacket, proper footwear for walking/running around) and a sack lunch. Snacks will be provided.

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For questions about Bush Methow Campus Summer Programs, email summerprograms@bush.edu.
The Bush School
The Bush School is an independent, coeducational day school located in Seattle, WA enrolling 715 students in grades K–12. The mission of The Bush School is to spark in students of diverse backgrounds and talents a passion for learning, accomplishment, and contribution to their communities.

3400 East Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98112    (206) 322-7978
The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment, recruitment, admissions, or administration of any of its programs on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. In addition, The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment on the basis of age or marital status.
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