Description:
BASS (Brewster Academy Summer Session) is both a credit-granting school and an adventure recreation camp for co-ed, American and international students ages 12-18. At BASS, leadership training is built into everything we do.
What do we mean by leadership? To us, it begins with self-respect.
Self-respect may be the most important characteristic a leader must possess. We all recognize it in successful people. In them we observe behaviors that exhibit honesty, integrity, drive and confidence, for example. Such qualities can be developed and we strive to do so.
Our educational philosophy stresses the development of self-respect. We believe that respect for self is reached through self-knowledge and self-knowledge is best learned through guided experience with role models. Our staff members are all leaders and role models whose jobs are to provide that guidance.
We put students/campers in positions to model their decisions and actions on those of their inspirational teachers and leaders, people who have demonstrated their qualities and abilities through successful careers in school and in life. In our classrooms, on the water, in the mountains, on cliff faces, in tents and in dorms… constantly, during our six-week program, kids are presented with challenges. They watch and learn, try for themselves, get feedback and push toward success after success.
Of course, while self-respect is a necessary attribute of a leader, it is not sufficient. A person can be quite content to enjoy self-knowledge and self-respect, but not be a leader. A leader must have at least two other abilities. First, s/he must be able to think independently (critical thinking) and second, s/he must be able to work collaboratively and influence those with whom they engage.
Again, our staff members model these abilities all day, every day and guide our students/campers toward meeting the expectation that they do the same. It is a nurturing process that is played out many times over. Our being both a school and a camp provides us numerous opportunities for our staff to engage with kids in many different situations.
Please see our website for a detailed description of BASS. Our program is based on building important skills both in the classroom and outdoors.
As a school, we teach English (reading, writing and critical thinking), or one of four math levels (pre-algebra through algebra II and geometry) for credit. We also teach ESL (beginner to advanced), Instructional Support (organization, time management, study skills), science and computer graphics for enrichment.
As a camp, we teach canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, hiking and camping, and leadership initiatives. In all these areas we emphasize team building, problem solving, and critical thinking skills. We also do field and court sports and art.
Each student is provided with a Macintosh laptop for the duration of the program. Access to the Internet and email is available from all over campus.
Brewster is located in the picture-perfect village of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, a safe and cozy place, where the days are warm, and the nights cool, and the scenery and outdoor recreation unmatched.
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