Summer Programs

Rhythm and pitch are the fundamental components of all music. Learn basic music theory to understand why some music reflects beauty and some music inspires fear. Learn the difference between major and minor chords and scales, and instantly begin to craft your own melodies. Employ a simple technique for writing chord progressions, and learn how to hang a melody from the rising and falling chords. Learn how to count rhythms and explore common and unusual time signatures. Take the knowledge of all the above and implement the ideas into workshop pieces. Explore various genres of music, examining the various applications of rhythm and pitch.

Calling basketball players of all ages and skill level! Whether you are just learning about the game of basketball or are a seasoned veteran, the summer is a great time to work on your basketball skills. During these sessions, students improve upon fundamentals while having fun and learning team-building concepts. Players are grouped according to age and skill level for optimal learning and improvement. Depending on numbers, the Youth Camp (grades 5 – 8) may move to 12:30-3:30.

Regardless of which instrument you have chosen as your primary, a study of rhythm will serve you well. Learn techniques for counting rhythms and ensemble playing that will bolster your skills on any instrument. Whether you are an absolute beginner, or already pressing toward mastery, this course has tools and techniques that will take your playing to the next level. Explore the layered percussion of traditional Afro-Cuban and Brazilian rhythms. Learn composition techniques and explore the art of improvisational soloing. There will be a recital of workshop pieces during the last hour of class on Friday. 

This one-week course will explore a variety of creative outlets through the lens of photography. Using digital SLR cameras (provided by Pacific Ridge School) students will learn both technical and artistic skills while capturing a range of subjects including portraits, landscapes, and abstracts. Students will practice basic and intermediate editing skills. We will craft imaginative projects using iPhoto and Photoshop while practicing how to offer positive and effective critique to fellow artists. At the conclusion of the course, students will compile a portfolio of their work.

Have a song inside of you that wants to come out? There are many approaches to songwriting. This course will survey several techniques to facilitate your creativity. Learn how to craft a melody, using the tried and true tools of basic music theory. Learn how to harmonize that melody with simple chords. Explore variations in timing to add color and expression to your idea. Try new ways of developing lyrical ideas. This course is excellent for anyone who wishes to gain deeper insights into musicality, and to more effectively capture musical ideas on paper, fretboard or tape. All genres welcome.

In this session students will use their imagination to become creators and innovators. Students will engage in open-ended design challenges using real machine parts, hardware, and construction materials. We will learn through doing, celebrate our mistakes, and work together to design and build. The class is facilitated by Kim Viernes, parent/architect/graphic designer and founder of tinkering camp San Diego. Kim Viernes has been inspired by and trained at #tinkeringschoolsf. Curious? Watch the TED talk by Tinkering School founder, Gever Tulley.

In this session, students will help bring history to life! Using a multidisciplinary approach, we will explore the San Diego area through a week of local art, literature, history and immersive activities. Step back in time and experience San Diego as our predecessors knew it! We will follow local history through music, games, food, and more. Older students will also have a chance to pursue a small research project and design a 10-minute lesson that shares a piece of local history: for instance, presenting an autobiography as an important player in San Diego's past, designing an art piece that represents a pivotal moment in local history, or guiding us through a poem by a local author. This class is facilitated by history teacher Claire Tam, who based this course off her own childhood experiences attending similar camps at the Louisa May Alcott House in Concord, Massachusetts.

Have you always wanted to be in a band, but need some help getting started? This course is designed to help you and your bandmates learn how to put songs together, whether they are popular songs currently on the radio, classics from the past, or original creations. Learn just enough music theory to kick your creativity into high gear, turning a handful of chords into a whole set of music. Learn to play cohesively in an ensemble setting, locking rhythms with your bandmates and supporting each other by creating space for improvisational exploration. There will be a recital during the last hour of camp on Friday. The class will perform a sample of songs and exercises that were learned during the week. You will be able to take away techniques and skills necessary to continue this work on your own, or with your newly-formed band, after this week-long intensive. All genres welcome.

No script? No problem! Using a series of improvisation games and exercises, students will develop not only their confidence and creativity but also their listening and public speaking skills. We will learn how to trust and support our scene partners, build an ensemble, and provide a full story arc within an improvised sketch. The course will culminate with an informal performance. This class is facilitated by Claire Tam, history teacher and advisor/coach to the Pacific Ridge speech and debate team. In addition to having been active in her high school and children's theater productions, Claire Tam has taught summer theater classes at Concord Youth Theatre (Massachusetts) for students ranging from Pre-K through eighth grade.

In this program, students will use engineering, technology, math, and art to design and build their own custom skateboard decks! Students first sketch their ideas, then convert them into digital drawings using CAD 3D modeling software. Students will learn about vacuum-forming using Roarockit technology to laminate and bend wood.They will create their own foam molds by hand and laminate and press seven sheets of maple veneers into a molded shape. Once the boards are pressed, students will create templates and cut out their boards, learning the safety and basic operation of power tools. After some final sanding, the students will seal their skateboard decks and can apply art to give their product a fun, custom touch. Each student will leave the course with her/his own custom skateboard deck and foam mold!

Public speaking and knowing how to express oneself persuasively are skills that will serve young people both in the classroom and beyond. In this two-week sequence, students will develop these abilities in two ways. During the first week, we will work on developing presentation skills and creativity through a variety of speech styles, ranging from humorous or dramatic readings (in which students select, interpret, and deliver a short piece of drama or literature) to original oratory (in which students research, write, and present a short evidence-driven speech). In the second week, we will build on these skills with an introduction to debate. Students will work together to research a topic, write an argument for or against the resolution, and present their case through a combination of pre-written speeches, cross-examination, and extemporaneous speaking. For both weeks, the final day of the session will conclude with an opportunity for students to showcase their work for parents, friends, and other guests. While this has been designed as a two-week track (week 2 will use many of the pacing, enunciation, and projection skills we practice in week 1), students are welcome to enroll in one or both weeks. This class is facilitated by Claire Tam, history teacher and advisor/coach to the Pacific Ridge Speech and Debate team. She also competed in both speech and debate events while in high school and worked as a public speaking tutor for three years at Wellesley College.

This week-long course is designed to make students feel comfortable using hand tools and power tools to build, fix, and solve problems.  Students will receive instruction in different ways to cut, attach, shape, and finish wood and other materials, while also learning how to handle tools safely.  Each student will leave camp with a finished project of his or her own design and the knowledge of how to use tools to create solutions.

The Outdoor Fun program gets campers moving with a wide variety of outdoor activities that will include PE-style games, sports, hikes on local trails around campus, water-balloon battles, gardening, and more. Instructors will focus on fun, fair play, cooperation, and enjoying the outside world. The program will move into the gym in inclement weather.

Public speaking and knowing how to express oneself persuasively are skills that will serve young people both in the classroom and beyond. In this two-week sequence, students will develop these abilities in two ways. During the first week, we will work on developing presentation skills and creativity through a variety of speech styles, ranging from humorous or dramatic readings (in which students select, interpret, and deliver a short piece of drama or literature) to original oratory (in which students research, write, and present a short evidence-driven speech). In the second week, we will build on these skills with an introduction to debate. Students will work together to research a topic, write an argument for or against the resolution, and present their case through a combination of pre-written speeches, cross-examination, and extemporaneous speaking. For both weeks, the final day of the session will conclude with an opportunity for students to showcase their work for parents, friends, and other guests. While this has been designed as a two-week track (week 2 will use many of the pacing, enunciation, and projection skills we practice in week 1), students are welcome to enroll in one or both weeks. This class is facilitated by Claire Tam, history teacher and advisor/coach to the Pacific Ridge Speech and Debate team. She also competed in both speech and debate events while in high school and worked as a public speaking tutor for three years at Wellesley College.

This week-long course enhances academic skills that foster a successful transition to high school. Students improve classroom skills such as note taking, active reading, collaborative learning, and test taking. They also learn productivity strategies and tools such as time management, test preparation, goal setting, motivation and concentration. Finally, the class introduces students to the nature of high school disciplines (Biology, History, English, etc.) and the general expectations of those disciplines. Students leave with a clear understanding of the various academic and student support services available on campus. While this class is an excellent introduction for students new to Pacific Ridge, returning students can benefit from the skills and strategy review as well.

Want to start cooking like a chef? This class will start you on your way! You will be chopping, frying, sautėing and exploring flavors to unleash your creative side. "Playing with your food” is A-okay when creating and decorating your dishes!

This week-long course is designed to help incoming 7th grade Pacific Ridge students develop the skills needed to be successful in middle school.  Students will improve classroom skills such as writing, note taking, active reading, collaborative learning, and Harkness discussion skills. They will also learn productivity strategies and tools such as organization, time management, test preparation, goal setting, motivation and concentration. By introducing and using the technological platforms required of them during the year, such as their Pacific Ridge email account, PowerSchool Learning, and Google Drive, students will be ready to hit the ground running on the first day of school. Students will also leave with a clear understanding of the various academic and student support services available on campus. The transition to a new school and into middle school is exciting and fun, but it can also be challenging for students. This course is designed to help new Firebirds with the transition and to help them fine-tune some of the skills they will need in middle school.

This week-long course enhances academic skills that foster a successful transition to high school. Students improve classroom skills such as note taking, active reading, collaborative learning, and test taking. They also learn productivity strategies and tools such as time management, test preparation, goal setting, motivation and concentration. Finally, the class introduces students to the nature of high school disciplines (Biology, History, English, etc.) and the general expectations of those disciplines. Students leave with a clear understanding of the various academic and student support services available on campus. While this class is an excellent introduction for students new to Pacific Ridge, returning students can benefit from the skills and strategy review as well.

In this workshop, Middle School students will practice and gain confidence in all aspects of the essay-writing process, especially the ability to argue persuasively for a specific position. They will learn how to read for writing, brainstorm, develop a strong thesis statement, use supporting evidence, expand and analyze ideas, draft, and gain comfort with revision as the most important part of the writing process. This essay-writing workshop will benefit all Middle School students, whether they are building their writing foundations or simply wish to gain more practice and confidence with persuasive essay writing.

This clinic is for athletes who will compete in a position on their high school team in the fall. Each session combines individual skill work, position training, group drills & various competition formats. We also emphasize advanced attacking, blocking, serving and defense, as well as advanced team offensive systems and defensive systems.

Want to start cooking like a chef? This class will start you on your way! You will be chopping, frying, sautėing and exploring flavors to unleash your creative side. "Playing with your food” is A-okay when creating and decorating your dishes!

In this session students will use their imagination to become creators and innovators. Students will engage in open-ended design challenges using real machine parts, hardware, and construction materials. We will learn through doing, celebrate our mistakes, and work together to design and build. The class is facilitated by Kim Viernes, parent/architect/graphic designer and founder of tinkering camp San Diego. Kim Viernes has been inspired by and trained at #tinkeringschoolsf. Curious? Watch the TED talk by Tinkering School founder, Gever Tulley.

In this workshop, Upper School students will practice and gain confidence in all aspects of the essay-writing process, especially the ability to argue persuasively for a specific position. They will learn how to read for writing, brainstorm, develop a strong thesis statement, use supporting evidence, expand and analyze their ideas, draft, and gain comfort with revision as the most important part of the writing process. This essay-writing workshop will benefit all Upper School students, whether they are building their writing foundations or simply wish to gain more practice and confidence with persuasive essay writing.

This clinic is for athletes who will compete in a position on their middle school team. Each session combines individual skill work, position training, group drills & various competition formats. We also emphasize advanced attacking, blocking, serving and defense, as well as advanced team offensive systems and defensive systems.

Start Algebra II on the right foot! After a year of Geometry, the foundations of Algebra can be a bit rusty. The goal of this workshop is to provide a strong review of the important concepts of Algebra I. Analytical skills are stressed more than simple mechanical skills, as students work on many models represented by linear, quadratic, and exponential functions as well as systems of equations. The graphing calculator Texas Instrument (TI-84) is used as a learning tool. Don’t be stressed at the beginning of your next math class!