Registration open in Spring

Discover a fun, learning adventure this summer! Overlake’s Middle School camps engage students in project-based, hands-on learning experiences in a variety of disciplines. The Summer Program is open to the public and Overlake students.

Most Middle School camps are taught by Overlake faculty and are open to students entering grades 5 through 8 in the 2024-25 school year. Campers can join us for half-day from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM or 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, or select two half-day camps for a full-day experience from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Lunch supervision is provided from 12:00-1:00 PM for campers that stay for both a morning and afternoon camp.

Registration opens in Spring. 

Please note that camps will not be held on June 19, or July 4 or 5. 

Camps

June 17-21 Half-Day AM (9:00-12:00)

Games Galore

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$240
Faculty
Mindy McGrath

Looking for a way to have fun this summer? Join us for a week full of games, activities, and challenges! Explore Overlake’s 75-acre campus through games such as capture the flag, sharks and minnows, and hide and seek. There will also be group games like spikeball, disc golf, bocce, GOLA, quidditch, and so much more. These games are a great way to get outside, exercise, and make new friends. No experience required! 

Please note that this camp does not meet on June 19. 

Improv

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$240
Faculty
Sarah Fitzpatrick

Improvisation stretches the imagination and builds confidence and presentation skills. Through theatre exercises, games, and spontaneous improvisational forms, campers will develop ways to help them think on their feet. In this safe environment, you can expect to get outside your comfort zone and learn to express yourself through various scenarios and settings. At the end of the week, we will invite friends and family so campers can demonstrate what they’ve learned with an audience! 

Please note that this camp does not meet on June 19.

Lego Robotics

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$240
Faculty
David Basham

Robots have become an increasingly common presence in our lives, but what are they really? Are they androids? Are they thermostats? Can they be both? In this camp, students will learn what a robot consists of, and how a robot interacts with its environment. We will be using the Lego EV3 platform and block-based programming to build robots up from scratch and program them to solve increasingly challenging tasks. No hardware or software experience necessary! 

Please note that this camp doesn't meet on June 19.

June 17-21 Half-Day PM (1:00-4:00)

Documentary Filmmaking

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$240
Faculty
Sarah Fitzpatrick
Dallas Moody-Jimenez

Documentary Filmmaking introduces campers to documentary short films and explores the genre through visual storytelling. Campers will research and develop a documentary short on a topic of their choosing over the course of the week. Students will watch short documentaries to get a sense of different subject and narrative styles. Topics may include anything nonfictional - science, history, social issues, sports, food, art, or everyday life. Campers will learn filming and editing techniques from pre-production to production to post-production. The camp will end with a documentary short film festival, where campers share their work with each other. 

Please note that this camp does not meet on June 19.

Multi Sport

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$240
Faculty
Omar Jimenez

Multi-Sport Camp introduces students to a wide range of sports, encouraging students to become well-rounded athletes. Students will learn the fundamentals of these sports that are popular at Overlake. There will also be a focus on strategies and game play concepts that overlap within these sports. This course is geared to increase students comfort level with a variety of sports. Games like soccer, basketball, ultimate, lacrosse, volleyball, and baseball/softball will be played during this camp. 

Please note that this camp does not meet on June 19. 

Outdoor Photography

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$240
Faculty
Aimé Ngandu

This camp is an opportunity for students to explore areas on campus and in our local community, developing their photography skills along the way. Students will walk easy trails and snap photos on their phone as they go. At the end of the weeklong session, students will have created a photo blog of their trips and sights. Students will get outdoors with an eye for perspective, lighting, and effects. Each day students will be at a new location and will focus on capturing a new element for their photographs. Students who do not have phones can borrow a school iPad to capture and edit photos. 

Please note that this camp does not meet on June 19.

June 24-June 28 Half-Day AM (9:00-12:00)

Board Games and Human Civilization

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Dallas Moody-Jimenez

This camp explores the history of human civilization through board games. Each day focuses on a broad historical period, using a board game to explore how societies functioned in each of those periods. Each day will include a brief history lesson, an explanation of how the games work, and extensive time for game-playing. At the end of each day, students will reflect on how the game shapes a deeper understanding of how societies have operated, including the ways in which hierarchies are built within a society and on a global scale. 

 

Debate

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Robin Monteith

In this course, campers will learn the basics of the debate format. We will focus on research skills, building an argument with evidence, rebutting an opponent’s argument, and strengthening public speaking skills. Students will have an opportunity to test out their newly acquired skills in large and small debates held over the session. 

Engineering Design Challenge 1

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Mindy McGrath

Engineer Design Challenge provides students the opportunity to problem-solve, collaborate and search for a creative way to solve an engineering challenge. There will be ten different challenges where students will explore the design process. Students will be given materials and asked to accomplish a goal. An example is to design and build a catapult that launches a marshmallow as far as possible. The challenges are supposed to be fun, educational, and provide a chance for campers to explore the life of an engineer. 

Rube Goldberg

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Karen Zaidberg
Omar Jimenez

Students will learn about Rube Goldberg, an engineer artist tinkerer who always was trying to invent a better "mouse trap." The idea behind this project is for students to use their vivid imaginations and come up with a way to move one object to another or to cause an object to do something by a series of events. Throughout the week, we’ll brainstorm ideas, tackle different challenges, and see what kinds of tasks we can accomplish at Overlake!! 

 

June 24-June 28 Half-Day PM (1:00-4:00)

5 Days of Art (middle school)

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300

During 5 Days of Art Camp we will dive into different mediums and techniques used for drawing, painting, and sculpture. Each day will have a different theme that will allow for guided and open-ended exploration of the day’s material, culminating in a day to experiment with all the materials we used throughout the week.  We will be using materials such as: Graphite, Charcoal, Pastel, Ink, Watercolor, Acrylic, Clay, Paper Mache and more! We will be creating art that explores both realistic themes, along with more creative and abstract imagery, with lots of room for students to explore the mediums in a way that feels authentic to them. The daily themes will provide guidance and direction, as well as leaving space for students to explore their own personal style, making this class appropriate for students of all skill levels. 

 

Animate in Blender: 3D Dreamscapes

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300

Unlock the magic of 3D animation in "3D Dreamscapes," an exclusive animation class for 5th to 8th graders at The Overlake School's Summer Camp! Led by Kristafer Vale, who has 18 years of experience in feature animation films working for Dreamworks Animation as a Character Rigger. Kris has been part of amazing teams of artists bringing animated characters to life in films like Kung Fu Panda, and Puss and Boots, and Trolls. This class invites you to the captivating world of Blender. Whether you've animated before or are just starting, you'll learn to craft your own stories in a 3D space, receive expert guidance, and use digital assets to bring your visions to reality. This camp is about creating, exploring, and expressing your unique ideas through animation. Discover the joy of turning imagination into art and become part of a community that celebrates creativity and innovation. Join "3D Dreamscapes" and embark on a journey where your stories leap off the page and into the animated world! 

 

Lost in Literature

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Robe Roberson

Do you know how many stories of us are hidden in the trees?  Can you imagine what these campus trees have seen in their hundreds of years of collecting information about humans?  Lost in Literature is perfect for discovering how there are really only 5 main themes of stories that exist wrapped in literary technique and character archetypes. We will borrow themes and storylines from great works of literature and under the canopy of our evergreen guardians, create a fun new list of “must reads” in a variety of genres to be determined by each student. 

If we just heed our trees and their whispers… 

 

Wilderness Survival

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Karen Zaidberg

Wilderness survival focuses on essential skills and tools you need to survive in the wild. Have you ever wanted to learn how to make a fire? Do you have any desire to cook over a fire? Want to learn how to make structures in the woods? If you are lost in the woods, can you navigate yourself using a map and compass? If any of this sparks your interest, then wilderness survival is for you! 

July 1-3 Half-Day AM (9:00-12:00)

Calling All Bakers: Cookie Galore (middle school)

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$180
Faculty
Allison Gilman

This is the perfect camp for anyone who loves to bake or is new to baking and interested in learning how to bake cookies. We will bake different cookies every day. 

Please note this is a three-day camp, running from Monday, July 1 through Wednesday, July 3. 

Hoop Camp

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$180

This coed camp is open to any player that wants to learn the fundamentals of basketball and wants to advance their basketball skills. Camp traditions include individual medals for fundamentals work, camp competition games, and team play. Camp is coached by Overlake's basketball coaches and high school players. If you like to have fun, this camp is for you!  

Please note that this camp runs for three days from Monday, July 1 to Wednesday, July 3.

Leadership

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$180

This camp is a great opportunity for participants to enhance their leadership skills. Through experiential activities, games, and simulations (including Overlake’s Challenge Course!), students will learn more about leadership styles. By participating in the camp, students will develop a better understanding and higher level of trust when working with a team. In addition, they will discover personal strengths and how to use them to bring out the best in others. Come grow your leadership skills at Overlake’s leadership camp! 

Please note that this camp runs for three days from Monday, July 1 through Wednesday, July 3.

July 1-3 Half-Day PM (1:00-4:00)

Design and Create

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$180
Faculty
Sara Thomas

Design and Create will introduce you to the art and structure of drawing and designing through the program Procreate.  You can learn the techniques and apply them to print-based projects. Explore dazzling color palettes, photo effects, and fonts that allow you to create striking stickers, posters, stationary and more! Along with showing off your designs, you will be able to use these skills in the future when creating your masterpiece and maybe even start a small business! 

 Please note this camp runs for three days, from Monday, July 1 through Wednesday, July 3.

Ultimate

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$180

This camp will introduce campers to the basics of Ultimate Frisbee and provide ample opportunity to get outside and play. Throughout the week campers will develop their agility, stamina, and razor-sharp throwing skills. They will also increase game IQ through drills, scrimmages, and fun team games. No experience necessary—come join the fun! 

Please note that this camp runs for three days from Monday, July 1 through Wednesday, July 3.

July 8-12 Half-Day AM (9:00-12:00)

Debate or Diplomacy: Negotiating World Peace

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Robin Monteith

Campers will dissect different methods of debate and diplomacy through simulations and challenges. By adopting different leadership perspectives, students can approach real-world issues from social and economic lenses, ultimately developing negotiation and collaboration skills. In addition to cultural exploration through Model UN simulations, students will work together to achieve world peace in Overlake’s original game, Diplomacy or Domination? 

 

Rube Goldberg

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Karen Zaidberg
Omar Jimenez

Students will learn about Rube Goldberg, an engineer artist tinkerer who always was trying to invent a better "mouse trap." The idea behind this project is for students to use their vivid imaginations and come up with a way to move one object to another or to cause an object to do something by a series of events. Throughout the week, we’ll brainstorm ideas, tackle different challenges, and see what kinds of tasks we can accomplish at Overlake!! 

 

Witches and Wizards Training School

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Kristina Rey

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Harry Potter! After being sorted into houses we will create origin stories for our house founders, make our wands, play a rousing game of Quidditch, brew potions, identify magical plants, and even create a magical creature for future witches and wizards to learn about! Points will be awarded to houses based on excellent behavior, creativity, teamwork, and general trivia knowledge! The final day of camp, houses will share their origin stories while we partake in scrumptious butterbeer and snacks. 

Yoga and Mindfullness

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Sarah Fitzpatrick

Details coming...

 

July 8-12 Half-Day PM (1:00-4:00)

Engineering Design Challenge 2

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Mindy McGrath

Engineer Design Challenge 2 provides students with an additional opportunity to problem-solve and collaborate. There will be different challenges where students will further explore the design process. In session two, one challenge is to build a sailboat that travels a certain distance in the fastest time possible. As usual, the challenges are supposed to be fun, educational, and provide a chance for campers to explore the life of an engineer. Campers do not need to take Engineer Design Challenge 1 in order to join Engineer Design Challenge 2. 

Comedy Acting through Monologues, Scenes and Mishaps

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Sarah Fitzpatrick

details coming....

Mock Trial

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Robin Monteith

Step into the world of a real litigation! Part law class and part theater, mock trial will open a window into the complex world of law. We will choose a case together at the first meeting and assign roles, then spend the rest of the camp investigating and preparing the trial. Participants will learn the basic mechanics of a trial, including rules of evidence, the responsibilities of attorneys, how to ask good questions, how to testify, and how to make objections. Justice will be served! 

Overlake Olympics

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Omar Jimenez

Are you getting excited for the Olympic Games in Paris later this summer? Do you wish you could practice some events in order to get ready? Look no further! In the Overlake Olympics Camp, you will get the opportunity to train for some events that take place in the summer Olympics. Some of the activities include archery, badminton, volleyball, track and field, tennis and more. You will also learn more about some of the countries participating in the games this summer. Lace up your shoes and get ready!  

July 15-19 Half-Day AM (9:00-12:00)

Calling All Bakers: Cakes and Cupcakes (middle school)

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Allison Gilman

At this camp, young bakers will learn the art of baking cakes and cupcakes! 

 

Creative Writing and Photography

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Robe Roberson

Are you a creative writer who is ready to break the rules of writing in a stress-free, nonjudgmental, and fun environment? Do you love photography and nature? In this workshop, campers will play different types of creative writing games and craft poems, stories, and character sketches in light of their individual passions. In addition to creative writing, students will make a hand-crafted, miniature book to fill with their writing and photographs throughout the week. This camp is an opportunity for students to explore areas on campus, developing their photography and creative writing skills along the way. Students will walk easy trails and snap photos on camp-provided iPads as they go. Students will get outdoors with an eye for perspective, lighting, and effects. Each day students will be at a new location and will focus on capturing a new element for their photographs. At the end of the weeklong session, students will have created a book of writing and images inspired by their outdoor outings. 

 

Vocal Training

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Kristina Rey

This camp is for singers who are looking to learn how to build healthy singing habits and grow their confidence as a performer. Singers will work on a solo song of their choice and learn about the anatomy of the voice, breathing and breath control, musical expression, vocal health, and how to audition. 

July 15-19 Half-Day PM (1:00-4:00)

Engineering Design Challenge: Seattle Themed

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Mindy McGrath

Engineer Design Challenge provides students the opportunity to problem-solve, collaborate, and search for a creative way to solve an engineering challenge. There will be ten different challenges where students will explore the design process. Students will be given materials and asked to accomplish a goal. All these challenges will be inspired by Seattle. Students will build a bridge similar to 520, build a tall structure like the space needle, make something that glides in the air similar to what happens at Boeing, and build a craft that can hold a certain amount of weight and floats in water. 

Non-Traditional Sports

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Aimé Ngandu

The Non-Traditional Sports Camp is an activity- and movement-based program. The emphasis is less on competition and focuses more on participating, learning, and having fun. Each day, campers have the opportunity to play a variety of activities. They will play badminton, archery, table tennis, floor hockey, circus arts, fistball, four square, GOLA, international games and gym games. Campers learn through a demonstration and explanation of the activities and then get to try out the equipment as they move and explore throughout our space. 

 

Snap-Crackle-Pop Legos (middle school)

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$275
Faculty
Sara Thomas

Do you LOVE LEGOs! Join us for a week of fun and engineering as we use LEGOs to build and create structures of all capacities. You will receive challenges throughout the week such as designing a building or bridge that can withstand a load, or a structure that can move or be adjusted. Options are unlimited with where we can take our creativity. Join us with an open mind and a desire to build with all sorts of bricks! 

July 22-26 Half-Day AM (9:00-12:00)

LAX Camp

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300

Join us at Overlake’s LAX Camp where players of all levels come together to sharpen their skills and learn more about the game. Led by our very own Overlake coaching staff, the week covers all aspects of the game, from fundamental drills to advanced strategies. Get ready to be active, work hard and have fun!

Non-Fiction Writing

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Kristina Rey

This camp will explore different forms of nonfiction writing, including biography, memoir, op-ed, and journalism. Students will be exposed to different types of nonfiction writing in the first three days. After looking at some samples of nonfiction writing, students will draft their own nonfiction piece in that day's genre. On the final day, students will learn about the editing process and select and pick which of the four pieces they want to refine and share with the group. 

Obstacle Bonanza (middle school)

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Aimé Ngandu

This active bonanza is a fun and challenging way to stay active during the summertime. Campers may be walking along a balance beam and leaping onto the bouldering wall or using quick feet to pass under a low space. The week will be filled with a variety of activities meant to challenge everyone at their own pace and comfort level. Campers will conquer obstacle courses and participate in group games that are active, cooperative, and FUN! By the end of the week, everyone will be creating and designing obstacle courses to challenge one another. 

July 22-26 Half-Day PM (1:00-4:00)

Building and Design (middle school)

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Aimé Ngandu

Do you like to build, code, and solve complex problems? If so, this camp is for you! In this camp, students will learn how to collaborate and tackle fun problems with a variety of tasks and challenges. Throughout the week, we will work together to solve different building challenges using a variety of materials and strategies. 

 

Claymation Creativity (middle school)

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300

Get ready to get your hands dirty in "Mold Your Adventures: Claymation Wonders," a fun-filled animation class for creative minds! With clay as your medium and your imagination as your guide, you'll learn how to bring your stories to life in a way that's uniquely yours. From sculpting characters to animating frame by frame, you'll discover the joy of claymation under the guidance of passionate instructors. This class is about more than just learning—it's about creating, experimenting, and making memories that stick. Whether you're crafting epic battles or heartwarming tales, "Mold Your Adventures" is where your clay creations come to life. Dive into the world of claymation and let your creative spirit soar! 

 

Volleyball Camp

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Robe Roberson

This co-ed Volleyball camp is designed for the beginning, intermediate, and experienced player. The camp provides a fun way to learn and practice the skills of passing, setting, digging, serving and hitting. There are many opportunities to practice and improve each skill as the week progresses. In addition to skill development, campers will play in various volleyball type games and play in a camp tournament. Campers are taught court positions and strategy. All campers are encouraged to play with teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the camp. 

 

Wilderness Survival (middle school)

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300

Wilderness survival focuses on essential skills and tools you need to survive in the wild. Have you ever wanted to learn how to make a fire? Do you have any desire to cook over a fire? Want to learn how to make structures in the woods? If you are lost in the woods, can you navigate yourself using a map and compass? If any of this sparks your interest, then wilderness survival is for you! 

July 29-August 2 Half-Day AM (9:00-12:00)

Calling All Bakers: French Classics

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Allison Gilman

Oui, Oui! At this camp, young bakers will try their hand at making tarts, macarons, eclairs and more. 

 

D&D Quick Campaign

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300

Details coming...

Video Game Production

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Aimé Ngandu

Do you like playing video games? Have you ever thought “I could make a game better than this one?" Would you like to design your own video game? Then, this is the camp for you! We will explore what makes video games great and plan and create our own games using Bloxels and other video game design tools. 

July 29-August 2 Half-Day PM (1:00-4:00)

Guinness Book of World Records (middle school)

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300

Guinness book of world records is a fun, exciting, and challenging opportunity for campers to try new and unique activities. Campers will learn what the process of setting a world record is and how records are measured and recorded. The people who have set world records and the records themselves are unique and interesting. We will learn about the people who broke world records and the history of the records. Throughout the week, campers will attempt as many world records as they can. They will also have the opportunity to attempt a world record that they create. Our culminating project will be to attempt several records, competing with fellow campers, for the Overlake Summer Program Records Champion. 

 

 

 

Summer Program’s Greatest Hits

Grades
5
6
7
8
Cost
$300
Faculty
Omar Jimenez

Summer program’s greatest hits takes a little something from some of the great camps we have at Overlake to create one exciting week! From building fires, collaborating on a design challenge, to playing group games and eating smores this week is filled with a variety of activities meant for kids to try something new and have fun. 

 

Contact

Mike Hufstader
Summer Program Director
summerprogram@overlake.org