This summer, D-E 360° is offering D-E students of all ages immersive programs for interests ranging from music and theater to sports and STEM. Read on to learn more about our summer programming!
For our Lower School (LS) families, we have a traditional day camp experience for students the first two weeks of summer vacation (Summer Spark) and the final two weeks before the start of the 2025-2026 school year (Summer Segue). Students in these programs will engage in a variety of sports, games, arts projects, and more.
In addition, our Leaders-In-Training (LIT) program allows students in grades 7 through 10 to take on leadership roles during these day camps and develop the skills necessary, including first-aid/CPR training, to become junior camp counselors aka “Blue Shirts.”
Blue Shirt LIT Day Camp
Cohort 1: June 9-19, 2025
Cohort 2: August 18-28, 2025
Grades 7-10 (must be at least 13 years of age)
String Society
String Society is one of D-E’s signature offerings. For the first time this summer, the long-standing program, now in its 17th year, will include woodwinds (flute and clarinet). “This [addition] helps enrich the program by expanding the repertoire for all students, and gives the opportunity for the string students to play with flute and clarinet students,” says Jared Newlen, who will be directing the new section. “This also gives the flute and clarinet students an opportunity to perform chamber music.”
String Society +, as it’s now known, is led by co-artistic directors Ella Heifets (violin/viola) and Ani Kalayjian (cello). It will include technique boot camps, instrumental workshops, orchestra sessions, private lessons, as well as yoga and athletics exercises. The week-long program will culminate in a Grand Finale Concert on Friday, June 27, 2025.
Video auditions may be submitted through June 1, 2025.
2-4-1 Universal Sports (Life’s 2 Short 4 Just 1 Sport)
For students interested in sports, D-E 360° has renewed its partnership with the local chapter of Life’s 2 Short 4 Just 1 Sport (2-4-1). “This program fosters leadership, discipline, and community building around sports,” says D-E 360° Director Dr. Sherronda Brown. “It provides our children the space to grow in a wider range of sports.”
According to Coach Orestes Medina, D-E’s 2-4-1 Camp Director, students will engage in team sports, including flag football, basketball, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, and Ultimate frisbee, for one or two weeks. “It’s going to be a blast, and I can’t wait to see everyone out there, trying new things, making new friends, and having an unforgettable time!” says Coach Medina.
Musical Theatre
Theater students have the chance to be a part of the summer production of The Lightning Thief: A Percy Jackson Musical, directed by LS faculty member Jennifer Koteles. “During our two-week camp, the cast will learn not only the music, choreography, and dialogue, but also how to work as a team to bring the world of Percy Jackson to life on stage,” shares Ms. Koteles.
“One of the most exciting elements of this production is the incorporation of stage combat and fencing,” adds Ms. Koteles. “Throughout our rehearsal process, our cast will learn the techniques required to safely portray epic battles and thrilling fight sequences.”
In addition to the Performance track, there will be a Production track for students in grades 7 to 9 interested in technical theater. Dr. Brown says, “It’s an immersive experience that consists of learning and being engaged in the techniques that great theater is built around.”
“The Lightning Thief is a show about self-discovery, friendship, and facing incredible challenges,” says Ms. Koteles. “More than anything, I hope this production fosters a deep love of theater in each of the campers, inspiring them to continue exploring the magic of storytelling, collaboration, and creative expression both on and off the stage.”
Intro to Java & Intro to Python
Two summer Computer Programming courses will be taught by Math Department faculty members Joseph Iwanski (Introduction to Programming with Java) and Frederic Fontaine (Introduction to Programming with Python).
“Java and Python are the two primary programming languages that we teach at D-E in the Upper School,” says Mr. Iwanski. “Both languages are vital and powerful professional programming languages.”
Mr. Iwanski says the Java course is excellent preparation for AP Computer Science (APCS), a course he has taught at D-E for the past 26 years. “Students who complete the course will be qualified to take APCS and, more than that, should do extremely well in APCS, as we will cover much of the course curriculum over the two weeks.”
Meanwhile, Introduction to Programming with Python will equip students with the knowledge they need to ignite a passion for coding by completing projects that model real-world scenarios. Mr. Fontaine says that students with little to no programming experience will benefit from the two-week course.
“Python’s straightforward syntax makes it an ideal first language, providing an accessible entry point into coding,” says Mr. Fontaine. “By the end of the course, students will have explored fundamental programming concepts that extend beyond any single language, laying the groundwork for more advanced coursework.”
Dr. Brown says both courses are ideal for students who are interested in exploring or diving deeper into computer programming languages but whose schedules may be full during the academic year.
Chess with Grandmaster Mac
D-E has quickly become the chess site of Northern New Jersey for tournament play. Our chess enthusiasts are coached by Grandmaster (the highest level one can achieve in the sport) Mackenzie “Mac” Molner. Our summer program, Chess with Grandmaster Mac, helps make chess accessible for our students, says Dr. Brown.
Through a series of fun games and activities, such as bughouse, speed chess, chess jeopardy, and solitaire chess, this week-long session will keep chess players of all skill levels engaged, with opportunities for free play. Participants will be grouped by age, as they often are during national competitions.
STEM Exploration
STEM Exploration is a one-week summer program that introduces students to the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) competition and allows them to explore the areas of research, scientific drawing, mechanical design, coding, and more. It is a self-paced experience that helps develop essential skills beyond robotics and fosters confidence in critical thinking, innovation, and leadership. Students will also get to practice public speaking and hone their presentation skills.
We look forward to welcoming our lifelong learners to the D-E campus in June and August to take part in one or more of the kaleidoscope of D-E 360° Summer programs available! To stay updated on our offerings, please fill out this inquiry form.
