2-week (July 6-17 or July 20-31) or 4-Week (July 6-31)
Each day from 8:25 am - 12:45 pm, students will attend three to five classes depending on the length of the class. Before making your selections, please read the class descriptions below. You will indicate your desired class schedule on the registration form. It is highly recommended that you choose at least one or two choices from Enrichment, Arts, and Athletics selections as this balance is essential for optimum performance and enjoyment.
Please Note:
Core Academic Classes
Grammar Skills Refined
(Four-Week course, 45 minutes daily)
- Learn and understand the basics of English grammar and sentence structure in order to develop stronger writing skills. This class will cover units on the Parts of Speech, Parts of the Sentence, Phrases and Clauses. Be actively engaged working independently and collaboratively every day, communicating your newfound, growing knowledge of the many functions of the written word. (This course will be especially helpful to new incoming Pinewood students). Daily Homework
Pre-Algebra Prep
(Four-Week course, 45 minutes daily)
- Solidify and work on mastery of the foundational skills needed to succeed in pre-algebra in the fall. Daily Homework
Course Content
- Number sense - rational and irrational
- Squares and square roots
- Factors and multiples
- Coordinates in 4 quadrants
- Fraction arithmetic
- Area and perimeter
- One step Equations
- Circles and pi
- Probability - basics and experimental
- Statistics - bar charts, pie charts
- Word problems and brain teasers
Algebra Prep
(Four-Week course, 45 minutes daily)
- Prerequisite: Completion of pre-algebra. Practice foundational skills needed to succeed this fall in your algebra course. Daily Homework
Course Content
- Numbers sense - real numbers
- Exponents
- Simplifying algebraic sentences
- Two step equations
- Inequalities
- Surface area and volume
- Composite shapes
- Graphing using coordinate tables
- Fraction arithmetic including variables
- Probability - tree diagrams and sample spaces
- Statistics - data collection & representation
- Word problems and brain teasers
Writing and Rhetoric
(Two-Week course, 90 minutes daily)
- Focus on supporting your opinions in a compelling manner, both in written and oral formats. Improve your clarity of presentation by learning to organize your ideas skillfully. Daily Homework
Literary Analysis
(Two-Week course, 90 minutes daily)
- Practice developing reading comprehension, close reading, critical thinking and annotating skills when reading literary texts. Daily Homework
Academic Enrichment, Arts, and Athletics Classes
Math Application
(Two-Week course, 45 minutes daily)
- Go beyond the basics with projects, contests, critical thinking, and problem solving. Occasional Homework
VEX Robotics Lab
(Two-Week course, 45 minutes daily)
- Learn the exciting VEX IQ Robotics system that combines advanced engineering and programming skills necessary to design, build, and program a more extensive robotics system.
On Stage!
(Four-Week course, 45 minutes daily)
- Attendance at all four weeks of the summer program is required for this class.
Be in a fully costumed play!Students give final performance for family and friends on Thursday, August 1 or Friday, August 2. Occasional Homework (memorize lines and songs)
Music Showtime!
(Four-Week course, 45 minutes daily)
- Prepare an ensemble of high-energy, choreographed songs that is sure to delight an audience of family and friends. Final performance for family and friends is on Friday, August 2. No Homework
Public Speaking
(Two-Week course, 45 minutes daily)
- Learn how to present yourself in a dynamic, confident manner in front of a crowd, an employer, a client, or your classmates. No Homework
Investing Fundamentals for Teens
(Two-Week course, 45 minutes daily)
- Discover underlying fundamentals of investing and saving, including concepts like compounding interest, diversification, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and individual stock investing. No Homework
Creative Writing
(Two-Week course, 45 minutes daily)
- Practice the art of creative writing, both fiction and nonfiction, inspired by nature. Creative writing techniques are shown to improve writing in all forms by facilitating the written expression of ideas and building the skill of expressing thoughts into words in an engaging and meaningful way. Occasional Homework
3D Design Lab
(Two-Week course, 45 minutes daily)
- Use Tinkercad and 3D modeling in order to learn the basics of designing functional objects for 3D printing. Create at least two different 3D models to print and take home. No Homework
Lights, Camera, Action!
(Two-Week course, 45 minutes daily)
- Work together to design a script, act, film, and edit your own short film. Use iPads and Macs to learn about video and sound editing. Share your finished product with your peers and families. No Homework
Coding for Puzzles and Games
(Two-Week course, 45 minutes daily)
- Using Scratch and other block based coding programs, design and build puzzles and at least three different games to play on your own or with friends. No Homework
Forensic Science Exploration
(Two-Week course, 45 minutes daily)
- Investigate principles of science used in the field of forensics to solve crimes. Get reinforcement in math and science concepts while working in hands-on labs designed and modeled around projects with a real forensic purpose and suspenseful outcome. No Homework
Art and Visual Literacy
(Two-Week course, 45 minutes daily)
- Explore a variety of artistic mediums and techniques for self-expression. Learn about creativity, produce art projects, and be introduced to the works of some of the world’s greatest artists. No Homework
Graphic Design
(Two-Week course, 45 minutes daily)
- In this project-based class, be introduced to basic navigation of Adobe Photoshop. Learn how to use layers, tools, and menus and explore advanced techniques for creating and altering graphics and photographs. No Homework
Athletics
(Two-Week or four-Week course, 45 minutes daily)
- Energize the day in this class that focuses on athletic skills, physical fitness, and sportsmanship. Enjoy participating in team sports and learning new games. No Homework
Upper Campus Afternoon Classes
Please Note: For students registering for one of the 2-Week Sessions, the classes that are only offered in a particular Session are noted.
Chemistry in Action (Session 2 only)
- Explore chemical processes and create substances to take home. Students that enjoy getting their hands gooey and learning science will not be disappointed.
Creating with Code (Session 1 only)
- Using scratch and other block based coding programs, students will learn computer science fundamentals that serve as the building blocks for more complex programming languages.
Culture Club (Session 1 only)
- Travel to far off Latin American lands, learn the language, taste the food, create, and enjoy! Get an introduction to various Spanish speaking countries through music, games, food, art, and literature.
Dance
- Increase dance basics in technique, strength, posture, flexibility, and rhythm and get introduced to multiple styles of dance. All levels welcome.
Film Making (Session 1 only)
- Develop your film making and technology skills. By creating short films you will exercise your creativity in storytelling and learn videoing and editing techniques. Lights! Camera! Action!
I Escaped!
- Focusing on teamwork, healthy competition, and thinking “outside the box," students will work together to escape and create suspenseful simulations.
Investigating the Hidden World (Session 1 only)
- Investigate the hidden world around us. Examine bacteria, unicellular organisms, and cell processes.
Leadership in Action
- Practice skills that make a strong leader. Enjoy interactive team-building games that increase confidence, communication, creativity, and collaboration.
Makey Makey Lab (Session 2 only)
- Using our Makey Makey kits, a laptop, and some technical skills, students will work in groups to make fun interactive creations such as musical instruments, door alarms, interactive artwork, or even big video game controllers.
Multimedia Art
- Using different materials/mediums, create works of art worthy of display.
Soaked in Leadership (Session 2 only)
- Let’s put a twist on some of our favorite team-building games and make sure everyone gets soaked while learning to develop the attributes of a strong leader.
Speak Up (Session 2 only)
- Learn skills to help you make an impact in everything from sports to scholastics. Practice ways to communicate effectively and increase your success in conveying your ideas and feelings.
*Splash Bash! (Session 2 only)
- Cool off in the sun with water games*, fun, and giant inflatable water slides.
Sports Mania
- Play your favorite sports and outdoor games.
Taekwondo
- Learn some of the basics of the world's most popular Martial Art. Students will learn principles of self defense, agility, flexibility, and just plain have fun with this Korean martial arts class.
Tennis
- Focus on all the necessary skills to raise your game to the next level. Match play, stroke production, and conditioning are all included.
The Amazing Race
- Race other teams of two or three to various "pit stops." Perform tasks, solve problems, and try not to come in last. Challenge your ability to collaborate with others, think critically, and solve problems effectively all the while learning fun facts about different cultures and world landmarks.
Theater Improvisation (Session 1 only)
- Learn how to think on your feet and present yourself in a dynamic, confident manner. Team up with your fellow actors in theater games and improvised sketches.
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Option 1: Take your pick! (offered by Summer Festival of Learning)
- Choose from a variety of activities organized by our enthusiastic afternoon staff such as water play, BubbleBall, games, and athletics. A study hall is also available for students who want to complete homework or spend time reading silently.
Option 2: Panther Tennis Club (offered by tennis pro, Craig Corfield)
- If you would like to enroll your student in this club, an additional registration form + fee is required. Please follow these steps:
- For the club description, click here and you will be directed to the Summer Camps web page.
- Download / print out / complete the July Tennis Club registration form and write a check payable to Craig Corfield.
- Mail the completed form and payment to: Pinewood Summer Camps, 327 Fremont Avenue, Los Altos, CA 94024.
- Important! Student pickup is at 5:00 pm for this club; however, you must select the 3:00 pm pickup time. By choosing the 3:00 pm pickup time, you will not be charged the fee for the Take Your Pick! option.
- If you do not select the correct dismissal time for this option only, your program fee will need to be adjusted and a $50 processing charge will be assessed
- Please note: the tennis class that is offered during the 1:10-3:00 pm period is a different class. Since it is part of the Summer Festival of Learning afternoon choices, there is no additional fee.