Programs

Students will be introduced to different 3D modeling software, as well as the process of turning their models into real world creations through 3D printers. Students will learn about the art of design and learn steps related to design thinking. The class will culminate with a competition for best design.

This two-week review class is intended for high school students moving into Algebra 2 for the upcoming year. We will provide opportunities to practice algebraic concepts such as solving linear and quadratic equations, systems of equations, inequalities, and equations incorporating absolute value, functions, polynomials, exponents, graphing, and more. This program serves as a reinforcement of key concepts and foundational skills that will help students find success in their Algebra II class. Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra I.

Calling on aspiring young authors!

This program is designed to allow students to develop their skills as fiction writers. Through reading sample stories, campers will develop an understanding of the structure and story in fiction and compare the techniques of various authors. They will use their knowledge to plan for and create their own stories that will include a developed character, a problem and solution, dialogue and details.

For students needing or wanting to participate in a morning option, consider participating in our Lower School Math Workshop!

Join us for this short, 3 day, excursion-based camp! Each day students will hop on a GDS bus and travel to a field trip destination in the DMV area. Students will have fun exploring while also learning new things. Please be sure to pack a lunch each day and wear comfortable shoes!

Tentative Destinations:

Maryland Science Center

Baltimore Aquarium

Pirate Adventures in Annapolis

Please note that these are subject to change.

Ever wanted to create your own computer game? This course offers the chance to learn the basics of programming, from understanding variables to implementing a conditional statement. In a culminating project, students will create their own game they can bring home.

This summer course will cover the same materials as a full-year of geometry core. The study of geometry concerns the discovery, understanding, and proof of plane and space relationships, based on the logical use of definitions, deductive reasoning, physical constructions, and/or computerized models. Course topics include logic and methods of reasoning, angle relationships, parallel and perpendicular lines, polygons, congruence, similarity, circles, right triangle trigonometry, volume, and area. Use of algebra is integral to this course. (Prerequisite: Algebra 1).

GDS students will receive credit for this course pending successful completion of a midterm and final exam as well as a minimum final grade of 70% or higher. Students who miss more than 20% (6 days or 18 hours or more) of the class will receive an incomplete and must make arrangements with the department chair in order to complete the course.

Our outdoor Hiking Camp is designed for students to explore the opportunities for outdoor enrichment within and beyond the borders of our city. Through collaboration and personal challenge, students develop an understanding of the natural world around them. Our goal is to promote personal growth through exposure to new and exciting environments and situations, ultimately leading to an appreciation for what the outdoors have to offer. Emphasis will be on how to have fun safely in the woods.

For this five day camp, students will participate in a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, bouldering, playing in the water and Geocaching. All day-trips will be within a short drive of GDS and utilize the public spaces in the District, Maryland, and Virginia. No outdoor experience is necessary, but an open mind is a must!

Participants will bring a bag lunch and water bottle each day.

Locations and Activities:

Sugarloaf Mountain—Geocaching and forest games
Catoctin Mountain Park—”Bouldering” and creek-stomping
Sandy Point State Park—service project and beach/swim time
Part of Great Falls Billy Goat trail and cookout at Carderock
Bull Run State Park—Fire Building and water park

Please note that schedule is subject to change based on weather, park condition, etc. Trips are rain or shine. However, if there is extreme weather expected for the whole day, students will do outdoor education activities on campus.

In this course, students will be taught the fundamentals of robotics, from what a robot is to how to get them to do what we want them to do. After mastering the basics, students will go on in small groups to compete in a robot building challenge.

Do you find yourself doodling along the side of your paper while trying to take notes in class? Do you ever read your notes from class and have no idea what they mean? If so, SketchNoting is the perfect summer class for you! Research shows that note-taking that includes shapes, colors, lines, hand lettering, and quick sketches improves retention and promotes deeper learning… Not to mention it’s fun! Throughout the week, we will build our “visual vocabulary” and develop our SketchNoting skills by collaboratively SketchNoting videos, quotes, portions of books, tweets, news articles and more.

Do you find yourself doodling along the side of your paper while trying to take notes in class? Do you ever read your notes from class and have no idea what they mean? If so, SketchNoting is the perfect summer class for you! Research shows that note-taking that includes shapes, colors, lines, hand lettering, and quick sketches improves retention and promotes deeper learning… Not to mention it’s fun! Throughout the week, we will build our “visual vocabulary” and develop our SketchNoting skills by collaboratively SketchNoting videos, quotes, portions of books, tweets, news articles and more.

In this week long painting class students will increase their knowledge of painting skills, color knowledge, and art history. Students will work with acrylic paint and canvases, creating multiple works of art that stretch their creativity and increase their confidence and understanding.

Students needing or wanting a morning option should explore our Mystery Reading and Writing Course.

Using real-world applications and hands-on projects, this introduction to 6th grade math will help prepare students for the upcoming school year. We will provide opportunities to practice mathematical note-taking, and study skills and explore topics such as mathematical expressions, fractions, decimals, percents, estimation and more. This program serves as a reinforcement of key concepts and foundational skills that will help students find success in their 6th grade math class.

This introduction to 7th grade math and pre-algebraic concepts will help prepare students for some of the critical thinking required in 7th grade math. Through hands-on projects and real-world applications, we will provide opportunities to practice mathematical study and note-taking skills and explore arithmetic operations and topics that include equations, expressions, problem-solving methods, estimation, probability and more. This program serves as a reinforcement of key concepts and foundational skills that will help students find success in their 7th grade math class.

Students will learn the basics of public speaking, argumentation, and how to rebut arguments. This class will focus on various introductions to different types of debate used around the country and the world including Spontaneous Argument Debate, Public Forum, and Middle School Public Debate. This fast-paced course will give students the chance to debate different topics including those on the economy, social issues, foreign policy, and education. Debaters will learn how to make an argument, speak in public, rebut arguments, and more in this summer week-long debate course.

3rd-5th grade students will learn the basics of public speaking, argumentation, and how to rebut arguments. This camp will focus on various introductions to different types of debate used around the country and the world including Spontaneous Argument Debate, Public Forum, and a glimpse of what Middle School Debate might look like. This fast-paced course will give students the chance to debate different topics at an age-appropriate level including those on the economy, social issues, foreign policy, and education. Debaters will learn how to make an argument, speak in public, rebut arguments, and more in this summer week-long debate course.

In this course, upper elementary and middle school students will be taught the fundamentals of robotics, from what a robot is to how to get them to do what we want them to do. After mastering the basics, students will go on in small groups to compete in a robot building challenge.

This program includes innovative, hands-on and research-based math games and activities to reinforce and preview topics in upper-elementary math classes. Students in grades 3rd-5th will spend two weeks doing problem-solving activities that will develop mathematical skills and create a growth mindset in math, reinforcing concepts and topics that will enable students to find mathematical success in the new school year. Concepts covered may include base-ten numbers, fractions, data analysis, elementary geometry concepts, simple mathematical algorithms, mathematical reasoning, problem-solving and more!

Students who are interested in an afternoon option should sign up for our writing classes!

Rising 3rd-5th grade animal lovers and budding student-activists are invited to join us for this interdisciplinary class focused on wildlife conservation. Through age-appropriate writing, research, and hands-on science activities, as well as several wildlife-focused field trips, students will learn about threatened and endangered species and learn how they can take action to help protect endangered animals.

This is a two week afternoon class designed to help MS students with their organizational and note taking skills. This is a great afternoon option for students who are taking a morning math class.

Rising middle school animal lovers and budding student-activists are invited to join us for this interdisciplinary class focused on wildlife conservation. Through age-appropriate writing, research, and hands-on science activities, as well as several wildlife-focused field trips, students will learn about threatened and endangered species and learn how they can take action to help protect endangered animals.

Who doesn’t love the thrill of solving a mystery? Students in this course will spend time reading different mysteries and putting their critical thinking skills to the test! Students will also have the opportunity to use what they have learned and write their own short mysteries. This course is designed to help students deepen their comprehension skills and creative writing skills. Mysteries have been proven to help students in a wide variety of ways by learning to understand characters and plot, problem and solution, look for important information within a text, make predictions, and much more. Put on your detective hat and join us for a fun two weeks of suspense!

Those who are interested in staying for a full day should sign up for our afternoon Art classes!

We receive a lot of our messages through mythology, fairytales and superhero stories. While these stories often impart wonderful messages about acceptance, kindness, and fighting against injustice, they have also been used to perpetuate stereotypes. In this class, we will read comic books and stories, watch film interpretations, and discuss and analyze their portrayal of the Big 8 Social Identifiers. This will culminate in students writing a pitch for a revised TV show or film. Our goal is to watch and engage with our favorite stories in a new way and be more conscious consumers of media.

This program will allow students to explore a range of nonfiction texts and learn to analyze and explain the material they read and translate what they have read into their own words. Students will also have an opportunity to work collaboratively as researchers in order to develop their skills as nonfiction writers.

For students needing or wanting to participate in a morning option, consider participating in our Lower School Math Workshop!

Come make your own tabletop pinball machine! Students in this camp will learn the basics of woodworking, electronics, 3D printing, and workshop safety in order to make their machine. We’ll be working in an area with power tools so be sure to have your kids wear closed toes.

This two-week review class is intended for rising 8th and 9th grade students moving into Algebra 1 for the upcoming year. We will provide opportunities to practice pre-algebraic concepts such as variables, formulas, and algebraic expressions as well as key concepts for algebraic success such as equations, fractions, decimals, percents, exponents, ratios and more. This program serves as a reinforcement of key concepts and foundational skills that will help students find success in their Algebra I class. Prerequisite: Completion of Pre-Algebra or Intro to Algebra.

In this week long immersive printmaking camp, students will learn about the fundamentals of printmaking as well as explore a variety of printmaking methods. From collagraph printing to monotypes and linoleum, students will produce multiple works of art while learning the history and techniques of this exciting medium! Students will also get to explore fundamental drawing and drafting techniques in preparation and development of their printing projects.

Students needing or wanting a morning option should explore our Mystery Reading and Writing Course.

In this week-long program intended for students with some prior debate experience, students will improve their skills in Public Forum Debate under expert guidance of GDS’s Middle School debate coach. Public Forum is a two-on-two debate that focuses on various domestic and foreign issues. Debaters will learn how to make an argument, speak in public, support their arguments, and more in this summer debate course.

Students with no public forum or debate experience will get a crash course on the first day of program.

In this hands-on science class, students will explore various branches of science including chemistry, ecology, and physics. They will develop inquiry questions, conduct experiments, and record observations to explore each topic. Students will also participate in a field trip to enhance their understanding and connect to their experiments.

Our touch-typing program uses online software (Typing Quest) that walks each participant through home key placement, letters, accuracy, speed, and more, all at the student’s own pace. A teacher supports typers with posture, hand placement, and other elements. Students will leave with a greater familiarity of the keyboard and proper typing technique.

We do NOT recommend a student participating in more than one session of Touch Typing. Please register for only one session.

Please note: While students will gain familiarity with the keyboard and with proper hand placement, students may not be expert typers by the end of the session. Students proceed at their own pace and we place an emphasis on accuracy rather than speed. Some students may finish the program by the end of the session. Others may simply gain comfort with home key placement.

This camp is designed for our youngest campers who are ready to spend the day learning and having fun at GDS! We recognize that this might be the first camp experience for our Little Hoppers. Through different play-based activities ranging from arts and crafts, drama, read alouds, active games, music, STEM, and more, children will develop friendships and skills designed to prepare them for school. School readiness skill building will include various explorations, fine motor skills practice, and activities related to following directions, working with and listening to others, and more! Students must be potty trained and must be 4 years old by the start of the program.

A coed basketball camp for rising 5th – 9th graders for all skill levels and abilities. This camp provides a supportive atmosphere that promotes fun, growth, and healthy competition. Coaches will teach fundamental basketball skills that incorporate basic drills, proper technique, and fun games to fully round out your child as a basketball player. Daily station work and exciting competition will help players of all levels improve and learn the core values of the game.

Train your brain this summer! This camp is about creativity, problem-solving, innovation, critical thinking, and collaboration. Each day, students will be given a challenge to address. Through a variety of activities and exercises, students will stretch their brains as they develop their 21st century skills. Students will learn how to learn from failure, explore the ideas of peers, brainstorm, and more!

Each week will include a field trip related to one of the week’s challenges. (Please note that field trips will be to learn more about a topic or to see examples of the theme in action and may or may not include visits to museums or traditional field trip sites. They may also include walking trips from/around the school.)

Our touch-typing program uses online software (Typing Quest) that walks each participant through home key placement, letters, accuracy, speed, and more, all at the student’s own pace. A teacher supports typers with posture, hand placement, and other elements. Students will leave with a greater familiarity of the keyboard and proper typing technique.

We do NOT recommend a student participating in more than one session of Touch Typing. Please register for only one session.

Please note: While students will gain familiarity with the keyboard and with proper hand placement, students may not be expert typers by the end of the session. Students proceed at their own pace and we place an emphasis on accuracy rather than speed. Some students may finish the program by the end of the session. Others may simply gain comfort with home key placement.

This camp is designed for our youngest campers who are ready to spend the day learning and having fun at GDS! We recognize that this might be the first camp experience for our Little Hoppers. Through different play-based activities ranging from arts and crafts, drama, read alouds, active games, music, STEM, and more, children will develop friendships and skills designed to prepare them for school. School readiness skill building will include various explorations, fine motor skills practice, and activities related to following directions, working with and listening to others, and more! Students must be potty trained and must be 4 years old by the start of the program.

A coed basketball camp for rising 5th – 9th graders for all skill levels and abilities. This camp provides a supportive atmosphere that promotes fun, growth, and healthy competition. Coaches will teach fundamental basketball skills that incorporate basic drills, proper technique, and fun games to fully round out your child as a basketball player. Daily station work and exciting competition will help players of all levels improve and learn the core values of the game.

Train your brain this summer! This camp is about creativity, problem-solving, innovation, critical thinking, and collaboration. Each day, students will be given a challenge to address. Through a variety of activities and exercises, students will stretch their brains as they develop their 21st century skills. Students will learn how to learn from failure, explore the ideas of peers, brainstorm, and more!

Each week will include a field trip related to one of the week’s challenges. (Please note that field trips will be to learn more about a topic or to see examples of the theme in action and may or may not include visits to museums or traditional field trip sites. They may also include walking trips from/around the school.)

Our touch-typing program uses online software (Typing Quest) that walks each participant through home key placement, letters, accuracy, speed, and more, all at the student’s own pace. A teacher supports typers with posture, hand placement, and other elements. Students will leave with a greater familiarity of the keyboard and proper typing technique.

We do NOT recommend a student participating in more than one session of Touch Typing. Please register for only one session.

Please note: While students will gain familiarity with the keyboard and with proper hand placement, students may not be expert typers by the end of the session. Students proceed at their own pace and we place an emphasis on accuracy rather than speed. Some students may finish the program by the end of the session. Others may simply gain comfort with home key placement.

This camp is designed for our youngest campers who are ready to spend the day learning and having fun at GDS! We recognize that this might be the first camp experience for our Little Hoppers. Through different play-based activities ranging from arts and crafts, drama, read alouds, active games, music, STEM, and more, children will develop friendships and skills designed to prepare them for school. School readiness skill building will include various explorations, fine motor skills practice, and activities related to following directions, working with and listening to others, and more! Students must be potty trained and must be 4 years old by the start of the program.

A coed basketball camp for rising 5th – 9th graders for all skill levels and abilities. This camp provides a supportive atmosphere that promotes fun, growth, and healthy competition. Coaches will teach fundamental basketball skills that incorporate basic drills, proper technique, and fun games to fully round out your child as a basketball player. Daily station work and exciting competition will help players of all levels improve and learn the core values of the game.

Train your brain this summer! This camp is about creativity, problem-solving, innovation, critical thinking, and collaboration. Each day, students will be given a challenge to address. Through a variety of activities and exercises, students will stretch their brains as they develop their 21st century skills. Students will learn how to learn from failure, explore the ideas of peers, brainstorm, and more!

Each week will include a field trip related to one of the week’s challenges. (Please note that field trips will be to learn more about a topic or to see examples of the theme in action and may or may not include visits to museums or traditional field trip sites. They may also include walking trips from/around the school.)

This camp is designed for our youngest campers who are ready to spend the day learning and having fun at GDS! We recognize that this might be the first camp experience for our Little Hoppers. Through different play-based activities ranging from arts and crafts, drama, read alouds, active games, music, STEM, and more, children will develop friendships and skills designed to prepare them for school. School readiness skill building will include various explorations, fine motor skills practice, and activities related to following directions, working with and listening to others, and more! Students must be potty trained and must be 4 years old by the start of the program.

Train your brain this summer! This camp is about creativity, problem-solving, innovation, critical thinking, and collaboration. Each day, students will be given a challenge to address. Through a variety of activities and exercises, students will stretch their brains as they develop their 21st century skills. Students will learn how to learn from failure, explore the ideas of peers, brainstorm, and more!

Each week will include a field trip related to one of the week’s challenges. (Please note that field trips will be to learn more about a topic or to see examples of the theme in action and may or may not include visits to museums or traditional field trip sites. They may also include walking trips from/around the school.)

This camp is designed for our youngest campers who are ready to spend the day learning and having fun at GDS! We recognize that this might be the first camp experience for our Little Hoppers. Through different play-based activities ranging from arts and crafts, drama, read alouds, active games, music, STEM, and more, children will develop friendships and skills designed to prepare them for school. School readiness skill building will include various explorations, fine motor skills practice, and activities related to following directions, working with and listening to others, and more! Students must be potty trained and must be 4 years old by the start of the program.

Train your brain this summer! This camp is about creativity, problem-solving, innovation, critical thinking, and collaboration. Each day, students will be given a challenge to address. Through a variety of activities and exercises, students will stretch their brains as they develop their 21st century skills. Students will learn how to learn from failure, explore the ideas of peers, brainstorm, and more!

Each week will include a field trip related to one of the week’s challenges. (Please note that field trips will be to learn more about a topic or to see examples of the theme in action and may or may not include visits to museums or traditional field trip sites. They may also include walking trips from/around the school.)

This camp is designed for our youngest campers who are ready to spend the day learning and having fun at GDS! We recognize that this might be the first camp experience for our Little Hoppers. Through different play-based activities ranging from arts and crafts, drama, read alouds, active games, music, STEM, and more, children will develop friendships and skills designed to prepare them for school. School readiness skill building will include various explorations, fine motor skills practice, and activities related to following directions, working with and listening to others, and more! Students must be potty trained and must be 4 years old by the start of the program.

Train your brain this summer! This camp is about creativity, problem-solving, innovation, critical thinking, and collaboration. Each day, students will be given a challenge to address. Through a variety of activities and exercises, students will stretch their brains as they develop their 21st century skills. Students will learn how to learn from failure, explore the ideas of peers, brainstorm, and more!

Each week will include a field trip related to one of the week’s challenges. (Please note that field trips will be to learn more about a topic or to see examples of the theme in action and may or may not include visits to museums or traditional field trip sites. They may also include walking trips from/around the school.)

This camp is designed for our youngest campers who are ready to spend the day learning and having fun at GDS! We recognize that this might be the first camp experience for our Little Hoppers. Through different play-based activities ranging from arts and crafts, drama, read alouds, active games, music, STEM, and more, children will develop friendships and skills designed to prepare them for school. School readiness skill building will include various explorations, fine motor skills practice, and activities related to following directions, working with and listening to others, and more! Students must be potty trained and must be 4 years old by the start of the program.

Train your brain this summer! This camp is about creativity, problem-solving, innovation, critical thinking, and collaboration. Each day, students will be given a challenge to address. Through a variety of activities and exercises, students will stretch their brains as they develop their 21st century skills. Students will learn how to learn from failure, explore the ideas of peers, brainstorm, and more!

Each week will include a field trip related to one of the week’s challenges. (Please note that field trips will be to learn more about a topic or to see examples of the theme in action and may or may not include visits to museums or traditional field trip sites. They may also include walking trips from/around the school.)

This camp is designed for our youngest campers who are ready to spend the day learning and having fun at GDS! We recognize that this might be the first camp experience for our Little Hoppers. Through different play-based activities ranging from arts and crafts, drama, read alouds, active games, music, STEM, and more, children will develop friendships and skills designed to prepare them for school. School readiness skill building will include various explorations, fine motor skills practice, and activities related to following directions, working with and listening to others, and more! Students must be potty trained and must be 4 years old by the start of the program.

Train your brain this summer! This camp is about creativity, problem-solving, innovation, critical thinking, and collaboration. Each day, students will be given a challenge to address. Through a variety of activities and exercises, students will stretch their brains as they develop their 21st century skills. Students will learn how to learn from failure, explore the ideas of peers, brainstorm, and more!

Each week will include a field trip related to one of the week’s challenges. (Please note that field trips will be to learn more about a topic or to see examples of the theme in action and may or may not include visits to museums or traditional field trip sites. They may also include walking trips from/around the school.)

Are you an avid DC sports fan? Spend a week with us completely immersed in DC sports! Learn about different teams and their history, stadiums, uniforms, statistics, and other interesting facts. We will discuss topics that relate to these teams and their history such as salary inequities, gentrification, race, etc. We will also take a field trip or two to visit some of these teams for a game or a tour!

Please note: while we will incorporate opportunities to pay various sports into the camp free times, this is a class focused on learning about sports rather than playing sports or learning to play those sports.

Students in this course will learn to make their own video games! We use block coding (i.e., scratch, blockly, etc..) to simplify the concepts that real game engineers use while creating hit video games. Not only will we be making video games, we’ll also be coding robots and making our own controllers.