Best. Summer. Ever.
The perfect balance between academic enrichment
and summertime fun for boys and girls ages 8-15.
Welcome to Summer Session
Join us for a summer of adventure, academic enrichment, and personal growth! Cardigan’s Summer Session attracts girls and boys from across the country and around the world to our 525-acre lakeside campus for a truly unique experience that blends classroom learning with the quintessential New England camp experience.
A Transformative Experience for Students 8-15 Years Old
Our days are full! Mornings are set aside for academic activities, including class offerings that cover a wide range of subjects for all ages that will inspire students through experiential, hands-on learning. Wallach, our newest academic building, is the campus hub for innovative design, applied engineering, and the creative arts. As a state-of-the-art makerspace, Wallach will inspire new academic offerings to prepare students for academic pursuits beyond Summer Session.
With a low student-faculty ratio, classes are tailored to each individual and include diverse topics such as ceramics, forensics, creative writing, computer coding, and wilderness survival, as well as traditional offerings like SSAT Prep and English as a second language.
In the afternoons and evenings, students have the opportunity to participate in several activities, pursue passions, conquer challenges, and develop new skills. Cardigan’s beautiful campus and the surrounding New Hampshire mountains are the perfect backdrop for activities and outdoor adventures including mountain biking, hiking, paddle boarding, tennis, model rocketry, drama, and more.
Students entering the 10th Grade are eligible for our Leadership Program, an experience that prioritizes coursework in teamwork, goal setting, motivation, and diversity. Student Leaders practice their leadership skills as they model behavior and serve as mentors for younger students.
Many Summer Session students return for multiple summers as they are drawn to renew their connections with peers, share the bond of this special community, and build upon the rewarding experiences that have catalyzed their independence and self-confidence.
When our students return home at the end of the summer, parents often reach out to share the transformational growth they see in their child. I encourage you to spend a moment watching the short parent video below.
Summer Session at a Glance
- Established in 1951
- Enrollment of approximately 130 students
- Open to all girls and boys ages 8-15
- Core academic courses include math, reading & writing, science, world languages, essential academic skills, ESL, and more.
- Enrichment courses include Ceramics, dance, drama, music, photography, drawing, and more.
- Summer camp activities include hiking, arts & crafts, canoeing, boating, mountain biking, tennis, soccer, street hockey, baseball, basketball, and more.
The value of a true residential camp experience where children can play, laugh, study, and learn together in person is more important now than ever - Cardigan’s Summer Session is where you will find it. At Cardigan, each individual is celebrated and elevated, and our students leave at the end of the summer with friendships that last a lifetime.
We hope to see you on campus soon!
Matt Rinkin
Director of Summer Programs
(603) 523-3526
summer@cardigan.org
Watch: Parent Testimonial
“We've never seen anything like this in our camp experiences or our school experiences, and we'll definitely keep coming back.”
JULIETTE MADAN, SUMMER SESSION PARENT