• Summer Programs
Experience Education

Summer Programs

Welcome to Bush Summer Programs!

Registration opens February 15

The goal of the Summer Programs is to offer classes, activities, and camps that provide a healthy, active, engaging, and safe environment for Bush students as well as for students from the broader community. The Summer Programs operate under the same guiding principles as The Bush School's academic-year programs.
The Summer Programs are dedicated to providing quality experiences for students of all ages.
Contact summerprograms@bush.edu with questions.
Click below for
Summer Sports Camps

Lower School Camps

We offer six weeks of K–5 Summer Experience Day Camp June 10–28, and July 22–Aug 9. Summer Experience Day Camp is open to incoming Kindergarten through Fifth Grade students. You register by the week. Each week has a different theme and group of classes. Cost is $400 per week. Each child gets four one-hour classes per day with half-hour recess time in between and a one-hour lunch (brought from home) and recess time between the second and third class. Each of those classes meet for one hour each day as four week-long units. Classes are taught by The Bush School teachers and our favorite outside contractors. Enrollment is limited to 40 students per week, so class sizes are 10 or less. We offer a flexible drop-off time from 8:30 to 9:00 am, with the first class starting at 9:00 a.m. sharp. The last class of the day ends at 3:00 p.m. We also offer a flexible pick up time from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. Before care is available from 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. for an additional $25 per week. After care is available from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. for an additional $100 per week.

List of 7 items.

  • Week 1, June 10-14: TECH-FLEX

    Computing Kids: Minecraft - Students design their own world and bring it to life by diving into the educational realm of Minecraft. By creating and exploring in this blocky world, aspiring game designers learn problem-solving, level design, and so much more. Instructors provide personalized instruction to engage students of all learning styles, provide challenges, and foster creativity as they progress at their own pace. No computing experience is required. 

    Kong Academy: Parkour - Parkour is the ability to move fluidly through your environment from one place to another. In this class, children will safely learn to progress through the basic parkour movements of jumping, vaulting, climbing, swinging, balancing, and rolling. The movements build strength, balance, and coordination. Your child will acquire the ability to engage with their environment while overcoming obstacles both physically and mentally. Practicing parkour skills fosters creativity and boosts confidence. 

    BEAM Experiences: Robotics - Unleash the powers of hands-on experience by building robots that can race, dodge walls, and complete obstacle courses! Students will utilize their creative and critical thinking skills by building robots that they design and program.

    Mad Holla Art - If you don't know Madison Holland, she is a fixture in the school year Extended Day Program at The Bush School and a professional artist (known as Mad Holla).  She will guide students through the creative process using a variety of art media that they have likely never seen before.  Better clear a little wall space at home for the final products!

  • Week 2, June 17-21 : Mindful Art and Magic

    Jeffrey Adjei: Digital Art - Explore self-expression through computer art! Become a master of digital drawing tools, photo editing resources, and on-line art creation resources. Taught by our Lower School Technology Teacher Jeffrey Adjei in our state-of-the-art computer lab. 

    Claire Wilson: Kids' Yoga and Mindfulness - Claire is a Kindergarten Teacher at The Bush School who is a certified children's yoga teacher as well as a being trained in mindfulness. She looks forward to putting all of these skills together for the benefit of the community.

    Ruben Barron: How To Be a Magician - Learn the basics to some of Magic's greatest secrets! Cards, coins, mind reading, escapes and magic history. Plenty of class participation. In each class you'll learn new effects and receive the props to perform them. These are yours to keep. Amaze and amuse family and friends with your new skills. All effects are age appropriate and easy to learn. Taught by a performing artist, Comedy Magician Ruben Barron.

    Li-Ting Hung: Summer Art - Engage the creative imagination of your budding artist by exploring a variety of hands-on art projects in and out of the studio. Students will learn field sketching technique, use watercolor paint, air dry clay and printmaking ink to create their own masterpieces, all inspired by the theme of summer.

  • Week 3, June 24–28: Body and Brain Workout

    Karate-X - For beginners who have never tried Karate to athletes of any sport, Karate-X will challenge and grow bodies and minds. Join us for one exciting week of sweat, discipline, determination, and fun! Students will learn and practice Karate skills with punching bags, breaking boards, blocking drills, kicking targets and more. Our professional instructors know how to challenge and motivate kids while building self-confidence and discipline. Each day will include cardio, strength and agility training to keep bodies primed for mobility, action and good health. 

    Cecily Metzger: Science Exploration - Join us as we explore many different scientific principles and perform experiments to test them. Taught by Cecily Metzger, a celebrated teacher at the Bush Lower School. This will be hands-on and minds on!  

    Smart with Art: Wizardly Worlds - Join us on a magical medieval journey as we design and create castles, shields, dragons and more. We will work with paint, collage, clay and other exciting mediums.  The creative fun is guaranteed to be magical and mystical in Wizardly Worlds!

    Dana Zulauf: Make your own board game! - Do you want to roll the dice, choose a card, or take a spin? You get to decide when you design your very own board game! To start we will explore and play a variety of board games for ideas and inspiration. Then, you will use your creativity to design and build your own.  On the last day, we will have a game-a-thon, where we will celebrate and play each other's games! Taught by Dana Zulauf, Third Grade Teacher at The Bush School.

  • Week 4, July 22–26: Games, Pictures, Music, and Magic

    Jeffrey Adjei: Chess and Scrabble Fun - For all skill levels, this mix of strategy and literacy will be playful and fun. Jeffrey Adjei is the Lower School Technology Teacher and will use technology to bring these games to life for students of all ages. Play to win, lose to learn - that's good sportsmanship.

    Anna Belknap: Graphic Novel Adventure - From Batman to Dogman - for many adults and children alike, there's nothing that quite matches the allure of graphic novels and comic books.  We'll share some favorites, read some new ones, and most importantly - create our own. Sneak some literacy into your summer!

    Julia Sarewitz: Music Camp - Taught by Bush Lower School Music Teacher Julia Sarewitz, this music camp is all about creative expression through song, dance, instruments, and music games. The older kids musical experiences will include learning to play west African rhythms on the djembe, writing and performing songs on Orff instruments, and playing music games outside on the turf.  The younger kids will be playing music games, learning new songs and movement pieces, and getting crafty with instrument-making.

    Ruben Barron: How To Be a Magician - Learn the basics to some of Magic's greatest secrets! Cards, coins, mind reading, escapes and magic history. Each class you'll learn new effects and receive the props to perform them. These are yours to keep. Amaze and amuse family and friends with your new skills. All effects are age appropriate and easy to learn. Taught by a performing artist, Comedy Magician Ruben Barron.

  • Week 5, July 29–August 2: Exercise, Create, and Explore!

    Jeffrey Adjei: Master DJ - Join the Lower School technology Teacher and learn to create some awesome mixes in Garage Band. Impress your family and friends with the cool songs and sounds you have created. This is a skill that you can use for years! 

    Karate-X - For beginners who have never tried Karate to athletes of any sport, Karate-X will challenge and grow bodies and minds. Join us for one exciting week of sweat, discipline, determination, and fun! Students will learn and practice Karate skills with punching bags, breaking boards, blocking drills, kicking targets and more. Our professional instructors know how to challenge and motivate kids while building self-confidence and discipline. Each day will include cardio, strength and agility training to keep bodies primed for mobility, action and good health.

    Cecily Metzger: Animal Cartography - Are you curious about the animals of our earth? Do you like maps and geography?  Explore a different view of the world and make maps like you have never seen. It's the art of animal cartography. Taught by Bush Lower School teacher extraordinaire, Mrs. Metzger.

    Angelica Camargo: Mouse, Paper & Scissors - In this class will learn to create a comic book and greeting cards! Older students will use Photoshop and photography and younger students will use drawing and photography.  Taught by our Lower School Spanish Teacher, this class is a great opportunity to give your child a jump-start in photography and design.

  • Week 6, August 5–9: Tapestry of Time

    Little Hands Creations: Fiber Arts and Crafts - Expand your imagination and get creative! This class will explore different techniques in fiber arts and other unique crafts. Students will have the opportunity to work with both 2D and 3D materials to create unique and exciting artwork. Projects range from textile art (including knitting, weaving, and fabric painting) to paper crafts and stamp making. This class is designed to explore students' creative mind and teach both beginning and advanced techniques.  Kids spend each class learning a new skill and get to take home a handmade piece of art that they can be proud of. All supplies included, let's get creative!   

    Anna Belknap: Engineering and Invention - We will harness our creativity and put our problem solving skills to the test.  We will learn about some famous inventors like Ben Franklin, Ada Lovelace, Temple Grandin, and Lonnie Johnson. Then we will figure out what problems we want to solve and get inventing!  With the help of the engineering design process, our budding inventors will create, test, and improve several top-notch inventions.  Taught by Bush Lower School Teacher Anna Belknap.

    Cecily Metzger: Greek Mythology - Learn about Greek Mythology and all the dynamic gods, goddesses, and demi-gods that occupied Mt Olympus.  Hand-on art projects well help students identify, relate to, and analyze the ancient Greek world and mythology. Come join the fun.  Taught by Bush Lower School Teacher Mrs. Metzger.

    Smart with Art: BOOM! WOW! Superheroes NOW! - Amp up your superpowers in this exciting cartooning camp.  We will design our own characters and comic strip! Create your Manga/Anime/Superhero character while building drawing skills. We will work with clay, paint, printmaking, and more. The creativity is endless as we design stories that will come to life through art. Join us for this comical creative class. Superheroes NOW!

  • Kindergarten, Here We Come! July 29 – August 2, 9:00am - 12:00pm $175

    Let’s get ready for Kindergarten! This is a readiness review for incoming Kindergarten students to prepare socially and academically for the upcoming school year. Practice being an involved member of the group, learning new games, and forming friendships! Students will participate in story time, explore number sense, and review early literacy skills through music, movement, and multi-sensory learning experiences each morning. Taught by Bush Lower School Kindergarten teaching assistant Vivian Graham and Bush Lower School teaching assistant John Cochin.
Register now!

Middle School Summer Classes

List of 4 items.

  • Stand-Up Paddle Boarding: June 17–21, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., $400

    Drop off at the Bush School where our Summer Programs Director will bus the crew to different water spots to meet up with a professional SUP outfitter for some great paddle boarding fun! Learn some advanced paddle skills that will last a lifetime and serve you well in paddle boarding, kayaking, or canoeing.

  • Stand-Up Paddle Boarding: July 22–26, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., $400

    Drop off at the Bush School where our Summer Programs Director will bus the crew to different water spots to meet up with a professional SUP outfitter for some great paddle boarding fun! Learn some advanced paddle skills that will last a lifetime and serve you well in paddle boarding, kayaking, or canoeing.

  • Self-Defense for Middle School Girls: August 14, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., $75

    Taught by Joanne Factor of Strategic Living, LLC. Girls on the verge of their teen years are beginning to seek independence. They may be staying home alone (or with younger siblings) for longer periods of time, babysit, walking to a friend’s house or to school, or riding the bus with buddies. They are exploring the world, at times without direct adult supervision. On top of that, you may be concerned about peer pressure and a cultural environment that romanticizes unhealthy relationship behavior and tends to denigrate girls’ abilities and sense of self. They could use some skills to help make up for the experience they don’t yet have. In this class, tween girl will learn to recognize “red flags” that someone may mean harm, plan safe exits from iffy situations, practice physical moves (just in case), and learn to find supportive self-care. All in age-appropriate language and concepts.

  • Band Camp: August 19–23, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., $400

    Musicians of all skill levels are invited to join this one-week session focused on developing the musical skills needed to play in a band. Students will arrange popular songs and compose original works in a variety of group settings that are designed to take your student’s musicality to the next level. Bush Middle School Music Teacher Chris Trimis aims to provide an experience that prepares students for musical involvement in the upcoming school year or to be used in independently organized student bands. Any instrumentalist or vocalist who is interested in arranging and writing popular/contemporary music is welcome.
Register now!

Upper School Summer Classes

List of 13 items.

  • Ashland Theatre: June 12–16, $800

    Board the bus with Jeremy and Julie Bryan, The Bush School Drama instructors, for their annual road trip to Ashland, Oregon. The group will watch five plays at the world-famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival including Macbeth, Alls Well That Ends Well, and As You Like It, along with world premieres like The Mother Road and Cambodian Rock Band. Ashland is famous for hosting one of the oldest and most well regarded repertory theater companies in the world, with plays performed on a replica of the Globe Theater in London as well as two modern theaters. We will take tours of the backstage areas of the theater, walk around the town and learn its history, and of course, watch the amazing plays. It is an immersive and extraordinary experience to stay in this unique town. Come be a part, because it’s going to be an amazing experience! All transportation, hotel, food and play tickets are included in the cost. 

  • Advanced Play Production: July 1–27, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., $650

    No class July 4

    Advanced Play Production: She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen
    Create and perform an entire play in four weeks this summer with the Bush School Drama Program! She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen: Ohio 1995, Agnes is a normal girl with normal hobbies and normal friends who listens to normal music. But her sister, Tilly, is different. Tilly plays Dungeons and Dragons, and Agnes thinks it's ridiculous. When Tilly dies in a car accident, Agnes realizes that the game her sister played might be the only connection she has to understanding her sister. This hilarious play promises to be a wonderful experience that explores why games are both incredibly silly and incredibly fun. This is an ensemble show where every actor involved will have a meaningful role and a great chance to perform and build their skills. As an actor and a theater technician, you will learn all of the steps to create a production from the ground up. Actors will receive stage combat training, movement and vocal training, and of course - perform in the show! Actors and technicians will work together to create costumes, built and paint the set, hang the lights, design the sound, and even develop video projections. As a technician, you will work to build and create the set, and then run all of the technical aspects during production. Advanced Play Production will meet every weekday to rehearse from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., July 1 through July 26 with a Final Performance on July 27.

  • Stage Combat: June 24–28, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., $200

    Come learn the art and craft of choreographing theatrical combat. You will learn how to safely grapple, fist-fight, sword-fight, and more with twenty-year stunt and theater veteran Tim Bryan, fight director of the performance group BOOM. Learning these skills improves actors' performance techniques and body control, opens a wide range of new acting possibilities, and is incredibly fun. Whether you are honing your skills after taking past workshops, starting from scratch, or getting ready for the She Kills Monsters the next week, this workshop is for you! We will be developing fight choreography for our summer production of She Kills Monsters during this class, so it makes a perfect companion workshop.

  • Geometry: June 17–July 5, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., $700

    No class on July 4

    Age ranges or grade levels of students: Current High School students or students who have completed Algebra

    This is an intensive course designed to present the major topics of a geometry course with practice problems that lead to fluency. Emphasis is on relationships among spatial constructs, algebraic applications and using deductive reasoning for proof. This course can serve as a student’s comprehensive study of geometry at the high school level or prepare students for a more in-depth examination of a full-year geometry class. Enrollment in this class does not imply placement in Advanced Algebra in the coming academic year. This decision is made through a placement test at the conclusion of the course and in consultation with the Department Chair.

  • Introductory Calculus: June 17–July 5, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., $700

    No class on July 4

    Age ranges or grade levels of students: Current High School students 
    PREREQUISITE: Math Analysis or equivalent Pre-Calculus course

    This course synthesizes a wide array of previous math experiences. Among other topics, this class introduces polar and parametric equations, vectors, difference equations, and logistic functions. Concepts introduced in Math Analysis are refined, broadened, and extended. Through graphic, numerical, and algebraic points of view, the groundwork is laid for a formal development of rates of change and limits of infinite sums. Enrollment in this class does not imply placement in Advanced Calculus in the coming academic year. This decision is made through a placement test at the conclusion of the course and in consultation with the Department Chair.

  • Math Analysis: June 17–July 5, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., $700

    No class on July 4

    Age ranges or grade levels of students: Current High School students 
    PREREQUISITE: Advanced Algebra and Geometry

    This course integrates an analysis of data with a formal development of functions encompassed by real-world applications. The students’ study of data motivates the need to develop an understanding of functions in order to model variable relationships. Many families of functions are investigated including exponential, inverse, logarithmic, and trigonometric. In addition, the students continue their study of sequences by examining series. The students are introduced to probability concepts and data analysis tools as well. Graphing calculators and other technology are heavily utilized to allow students to make connections between graphical and analytical approaches. Enrollment in this class does not imply placement in Introductory Calculus in the coming academic year. This decision is made through a placement test and in consultation with the Department Chair at the conclusion of the summer course.

  • Writing the College Essay Section 1: July 22–26, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., $475

    This one-week, intensive course tackles the writing portions of the college application process. Hands-on and fast-paced, Writing the College Essay class will help you tell your best story, presenting to colleges an engaging portrait of who you are. By the end of the course you will:
    ·      Understand the components of a strong college admissions essay,
    ·      Analyze the nuances of the Common Application personal statement and college specific supplemental questions,
    ·      Be able to edit your own and others’ work for topic, form, and voice,
    ·      Complete an edited draft of a Common App personal statement and college supplement,
    ·      Explore other written elements of college applications, including additional information and activity descriptions
    You should expect to write both in class and at home and complete at least 30 minutes of homework each night. Please bring paper and writing utensils as well as a laptop. Before this class, students must have identified at least one college that they intend to apply to with a supplemental essay.  Given the intensive nature of this course, it is imperative that you attend all five days.

  • Writing the College Essay Section 2: July 29–August 2, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., $475

    This one-week, intensive course tackles the writing portions of the college application process. Hands-on and fast-paced, Writing the College Essay class will help you tell your best story, presenting to colleges an engaging portrait of who you are. By the end of the course you will:
    ·      Understand the components of a strong college admissions essay,
    ·      Analyze the nuances of the Common Application personal statement and college specific supplemental questions,
    ·      Be able to edit your own and others’ work for topic, form, and voice,
    ·      Complete an edited draft of a Common App personal statement and college supplement,
    ·      Explore other written elements of college applications, including additional information and activity descriptions
    You should expect to write both in class and at home and complete at least 30 minutes of homework each night. Please bring paper and writing utensils as well as a laptop. Before this class, students must have identified at least one college that they intend to apply to with a supplemental essay.  Given the intensive nature of this course, it is imperative that you attend all five days.

  • Writing the College Essay Section 3: August 5–9, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., $475

    This one-week, intensive course tackles the writing portions of the college application process. Hands-on and fast-paced, Writing the College Essay class will help you tell your best story, presenting to colleges an engaging portrait of who you are. By the end of the course you will:
    ·      Understand the components of a strong college admissions essay,
    ·      Analyze the nuances of the Common Application personal statement and college specific supplemental questions,
    ·      Be able to edit your own and others’ work for topic, form, and voice,
    ·      Complete an edited draft of a Common App personal statement and college supplement,
    ·      Explore other written elements of college applications, including additional information and activity descriptions
    You should expect to write both in class and at home and complete at least 30 minutes of homework each night. Please bring paper and writing utensils as well as a laptop. Before this class, students must have identified at least one college that they intend to apply to with a supplemental essay.  Given the intensive nature of this course, it is imperative that you attend all five days.

  • Study Skills for High School: August 12–23, 12:00 to 1:30 p.m., $300

    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.

  • Pre-Season Writing: August 12–23, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., $350

    The transition from Eighth Grade into Ninth Grade is an important one. This class will help students manage this transition by preparing them to write at the High School level. Students in the Pre-Season Writing course will have a chance to brush 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.

  • Self Defense for Upper School Girls: August 14, 1:30–4:30pm — $90

    Taught by Joanne Factor of Strategic Living, LLC. Teen girls are looking to increase their independence. Increasingly, they will need to take care of themselves while exploring and engaging in rich, fulfilling lives. They are out more with friends, teams, bands. They (or their friends) are beginning to drive. They are beginning to date. They are exploring the world, at times without direct adult supervision. On top of that, you may be concerned about social pressure and a cultural environment that romanticizes unhealthy relationship behavior and tends to denigrate girls’ abilities and sense of self. They could use some skills to help augment the experience they are acquiring.
     
    In this class, your emerging young adult will learn to recognize “red flags” that someone may mean harm, plan safe exits from iffy situations, practice physical moves (just in case), and learn to find supportive self-care. All in age-appropriate language and concepts.

  • Self Defense for Girls Off to College: August 15, 10:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. — $105

    She’s off to college! For the first time, she’ll be living with peers rather than parents, responsible for her own food and schedule, and having to make more judgements about balancing risk and safety. All while making new friends, finding how she fits in, and thriving in a college environment. Give her tools to increase her chances of the next four years being some of her best. Ones she will later remember fondly. In this class she will learn simple and effective ways to stay out of harm's way on and around campus while still enjoying the full college experience. In this short seminar, we will address 2 ways to identify possible evil-doers, 3 strategies to evade them, and 4 techniques to neutralize their ill intent. Some of this class will be physical, some verbal, and all aimed at increasing her choices. EmPOWERment doesn't get more fun!
Register now!

Methow Campus Summer Programs

List of 3 items.

  • Methow - Assistant Counselor Training Camp (June 17–19)

    Logistics: Mon-Wed, 9am-3:00pm (Flex ½ hour drop off/ pick up)
    Ready to hone your leadership skills and join the staff of one of the Methow's great summer camps? Gear up at this three-day workshop. You'll develop your own personal leadership style, practice First Aid and CPR, learn techniques for managing kids of any age. Need a quick game to keep kids entertained? We'll practice a variety so you have plenty of tricks up your sleeve. Whether you're planning to babysit or earn service hours, this camp will help you feel confident and prepared to be a leader!

  • Methow Camp Week 1 (August 5–8): Camouflage Camp

    Location: Bush School Methow Campus, 255 Lost River Rd. Mazama, WA
    Logistics: Mon-Thurs, 9am-3:00pm (Flex ½ hour drop off/ pick up)
    In this week of wild wilderness games we’ll spend our days playing in the woods around The Bush School’s Methow Campus. While using our senses and developing our naturalist skills, we’ll learn lots of new group games and explore how animals survive in the forest. Learn tracking skills, native plant identification, and discover strange insects in the ponds as you become an expert naturalist. Don’t wear bright colors this week or you’ll be too easy to find. 

  • Methow Camp Week 2 (August 12–15): Animal Detectives

    Location: Bush School Methow Campus, 255 Lost River Rd. Mazama, WA
    Logistics: August 12–15, Mon–Fri, 9:00am–3:30pm (Flex ½ hour drop off/ pick up)

    Join us for a week of exploring all the amazing animals that live in the forests of Mazama. We’ll follow wildlife tracks, hunt for animal homes, use binoculars to check out our feathered friends and even go on a bug safari! With scientific tools, games and stories we’ll unravel the clues of who lives here. Using our imaginations, we’ll even make some creative animals of our own. Get your detective hats ready, this mystery is sure to be an adventure!
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3400 East Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98112
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(206) 322-7978