Summer Writing Program

Overview

No skill is of greater importance in school—and in life—than the ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Our Summer Writing Program offers two weeks of small group writing instruction. More than that, though, the Summer Writing Program offers an ideal learning environment—mornings in small classes with inspiring teachers and afternoons outdoors with dynamic Overland leaders. Learning and fun, indoors and out—a great way to improve your writing.

Our Summer Writing Program is based in Williamstown, Massachusetts. We’ll be in class every morning, writing and revising under the guidance of a master teacher and two Overland leaders. In a supportive setting, students will break writing down into steps: brainstorming, outlining, writing a first draft, reading aloud, editing, revising and producing a finished product. We’ll focus on expository writing but will have fun, too, with poetry and short stories. Excited and confident, students will take risks in their writing and surprise themselves with the results.

Every afternoon, we’ll explore the Berkshire Hills by foot and bike. In the evenings, we’ll come together for dinner and dessert, reading, writing and games. During the weekend, we’ll enjoy camping and an exciting rafting trip. At the end of the program, each student will have had the chance to improve his or her writing and, as a result, build his or her confidence, while making friends and having fun in a close-knit and enthusiastic Overland group.

Learning should not be drudgery; it should be fun.  With inspiring teachers and a healthy balance of time “in school” and outside activities, the Summer Writing Program offers an energized educational experience.

Highlights

• Learn how to master the essay writing process
• Enjoy small classes (12 students) led by a professional master teacher
• Hike, bike & swim in the Berkshires
• Camp on Mount Greylock
• Raft the Deerfield River

Grade

For students who will finish grades 7-9 in June 2010.

Call us (800.458.0588) to check on current availability.

Challenge Level

3 (1-10, 1 is easiest)

Start and End Location

Starts and ends in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

Families are responsible for making travel arrangements to and from Williamstown, Massachusetts. Students who fly to the trip fly into the Albany, New York, International Airport, where Overland staff will be on hand to meet and assist all arriving students. Students who are dropped off should come to the Williams College Campus in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

Dates and Fees

2 Weeks

Sunday, June 27 to Friday, July 9
Sunday, July 11 to Friday, July 23
Sunday, July 25 to Friday, August 6

$3195(airfare not included)

Itinerary

Each day we'll start out by having breakfast together in a Williams College dining hall before meeting with our master teacher who will lead us through the process of expository writing- brainstorming, outlining, writing a first draft, reading out loud, editing, revising and producing a final product- in a fun and encouraging environment.

Every day after class, we'll make lunch together and then our leaders will guide the group through various fun activities to get us out and exploring the beautiful Berkshires. The evenings will consist of eating dinner together in a Williams College dining hall and dessert circle, a time to reflect on the day's progress and growth. After dessert circle, we'll come together for reading, writing and games. During our weekend, we'll camp outdoors and raft on the Deerfield River.

Trip Details

The Summer Writing Program is located in the beautiful town of Williamstown, Massachusetts, on the Williams College campus. For students who drive to the program start (Williamstown is three hours north of New York City and three hours west of Boston), we'll meet at our group accommodations on campus. For students who fly, Overland staff will be on hand in the Albany airport to meet you, assist with luggage and transport you by van the 42 miles to Williamstown.

We will enjoy ten meals a week(breakfasts and dinners) in a Williams College dining hall, and the rest of the meals(lunches and meals during our camping trip), we will prepare as a group.

Throughout the week, there will be plenty of time for recreation, as well as reflection, games and quiet time to work on your writing. Learning should not be drudgery; it should be fun. Our Summer Writing Program offers an energized educational experience.

“I had a great time on the Summer Writing Program.  The two weeks were action-packed.” Michelle Waters, Short Hills, New Jersey

Our Master Teachers

Liza Barrett has been a middle school English teacher for twenty-three years. She began her career at the Greenwich Country Day school in Connecticut where she taught Upper School Social Studies and English for ten years, and she has been teaching 7th and 8th grade English at Mount Greylock Regional High School for the past twelve years. She has a BA in English and Psychology from Wesleyan University, and holds a Masters in Education. Liza's passion is teaching writing to middle school students. She has extensive experience teaching all forms of writing including expository, creative and literary analysis.

Pat Blackman has taught middle school and high school social studies for eight years in western Massachusetts. He currently teaches 8th grade American history and uses music, creative writing and the visual arts to help students gain depth of understanding.He has two bachelor’s degrees, one in history and one in religious studies.He is an amateur guitarist, singer and poet and is noted in his school for providing students with a direct experience of the music of America’s past by performing the songs himself.

“Summer Writing Program has the perfect combination of classroom time and outdoor time .” Suzanne Worden, New York, New York

Summer Writing Program Found Poem

Mary MacDonald, a Summer Writing Program teacher in 2008, wrote the following found poem culled from the students' responses to the question "Why are you here?"  A found poem takes existing texts and refashions them, reorders them and presents them as poems.

Overland . . . So Why Did I Come?

Addicted to conversation,
my adoration for the written word knows no bounds.
I love to write.
I love the outdoors. 

I want to treasure my time away with unfamiliar people
and savor the taste of an unfamiliar place
and build upon a passion I have.

With the intention of finding
my voice
and the freedom to share thoughts
dancing through my somewhat cluttered mind,

I hope to
vent my feelings,
expand my versatility as a writer,
break free from my comfort zone.

To witness and join the whiplash crack of ideas
so I might sidestep boredom.
Besides I needed something productive
so I wouldn't go insane during the almighty respite
that is summer.

Writing — something that is necessary in life — sure,
but to be surrounded by more diversity —
new friends, new skills, exercise, nature —
Threre's something to hold onto.

I am here to write to put it bluntly.

And so there's the why, but at its heels comes the how.
How did things go?
How did you like it?
How did you manage to leave?

“The Summer Writing Program was a great way to improve my writing, meet new people and enjoy some time in the great outdoors.” Andrei Papai, Brooklyn, New York

Photos

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Videos

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Prepare & Pack

Preparing for Your Program

We'll spend mornings in class, writing individually and with fellow students, under the direction of our writing instructor and Overland leaders. We will provide writing materials and laptops for every student's use in class. Afternoons will be active and fun; we will go for bike rides and hikes. During the weekend, we'll spend two nights camping outdoors and we'll raft down the Deerfield River.

We encourage you to get out for some walks and rides this spring. The more you prepare, the more you'll enjoy your program and the better able you'll be to hike and ride safely this summer. Once your program starts, commit yourself wholeheartedly to your group and all of its activities.

Luggage

On Overland trips, we travel light. Please bring just one carry-on size rolling suitcase and one small backpack. Experience has shown that this is the only way to go. Dimensions of the carry-on rolling suitcase should not exceed 22"H x 14"W x 9"D. Use your backpack to carry essentials on the plane (do not use as additional luggage space).  Your backpack will be used for carrying your materials to class, as well as for afternoon day hikes.  Be sure to tag all items with your name, address and phone number.

Packing for Your Program

Please stick to the following guidelines when packing for your program; your group will have access to laundry on a weekly basis. Bring clothes that are comfortable and suitable for outdoor activities. Overland provides linens (sheets, pillowcase, towels), a blanket and a pillow.

Clothing

• Tennis Shoes or Sneakers. Comfortable shoes to wear around all day and while on day hikes and bike rides.
• Sandals. Tevas, Chacos (or similar) with a heel strap for rafting trip.
• Waterproof Raincoat. Must be waterproof (not just water or wind resistant); GoreTex is one of the better-known waterproof and breathable fabrics but there are many to choose from.
• Long Pants. One pair.
• Fleece Pullover or Sweatshirt. One only.
• Comfortable Shorts. Two pairs; comfortable to hike and bike in.
• Shirts. Four short-sleeve shirts or tank tops; two long-sleeve shirts.
• Underwear. Seven pairs.
• Socks. Six pairs.
• Pajamas. One pair.
• Bathing Suit. One only.

Gear & Miscellaneous

• Small backpack. For everyday adventures and hikes.
• Bike Helmet. Overland will provide bikes.
• Sleeping Bag. Any type is acceptable.
• Utensils. 6" to 8" plastic dish or bowl with top; insulated plastic mug; spoon, fork and knife.
• Toiletries. All travel size.
• Beach Towel. Medium size.
• Water Bottle. Any kind, to stay hydrated out in the sun.
• Flashlight. Small.
• Sunglasses & Hat. With visor (e.g., baseball hat).
• Sunscreen (SPF 30+), Chapstick (with SPF protection) & Insect Repellent.
• USB Flash Drive (any size). For saving your writing projects.
• Camera/Batteries/Memory Card
Optional. Interested in seeing your photographs or videos on Overland's website next year? Bring a camera with lots of pixels (10 or more) and lots of memory (4GB or more). Buying a new camera? One of our favorites is the Canon PowerShot SD960 IS digital camera.
• Journal & Pen. Optional.
• Personal Spending Money. $50 is a suggested amount for souvenirs, gifts and necessities.

Note: Please do not bring any type of knife or multi-tool (e.g., Swiss Army Knife, Leatherman).

We do not permit personal electronics on our programs (for example, cellphones and iPods). We do, however, allow students who fly to their program to carry a cell phone while traveling; on arrival, Overland's leaders will collect all cell phones for the duration of the program and return them for flights home. Perhaps, a better option would be to bring a pre-paid phone card so that the leaders do not have to carry cell phones for the duration of the program.

Admissions

Below is the Admissions Material packet and other information for Summer Writing Program.

Admission Material 2010

Flight & Travel Information 2010

Program Start & End Information 2010

Summer Writing Program Release Form 2010

Apply

We welcome your interest in joining Overland this summer!

To apply, please complete and sign the application on page 47 of the Overland catalog or download an application. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the application).

Please refer to page 46 of our catalog for important information you should know before signing the application.

Send your application and $795 deposit to:

Overland
P.O. Box 31
Williamstown, MA 01267

For overnight mail via UPS or FedEx, please use our street address:

Overland
63 Spring Street
Williamstown, MA 01267

Sorry, we are unable to accept applications by fax, and we do not take credit cards. Applications are reviewed in the order in which they arrive at our office and we cannot hold spots over the phone.

To learn about our admissions process, please click here.