Our Programs | Summer Days

Wonderment. Exploration. Joyful Discovery. 

We keep recess and summer experiences relaxed, memorable and fun; just as they should be.

Summer Days 2024 for Toddler and Primary Children

Childhood and Summer

Summer for New Englanders is a long awaited treat, and for children, it is a time of relaxation, play and wonderment. For many, their greatest childhood memories are created during this season.

Think back to your own childhood. Which memories are your favorites? They are likely the ones enjoyed during free time. Whether that free time was spent at home, on vacation or during camp, the most lasting memories were probably those spent relishing summer!

During the summer months, children want to be outside! They want to play and make up their own rules to their own games. They want to stare up at the sky to find pictures in the clouds. They want to get dirty, giggle with friends, and see things they've never seen before. For young children, summer is simple, and we like to keep it that way for them. 

At MSGH, our Summer Days program is rooted in the belief that summer is to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace, yet filled with play, exposure to new and exciting activities and ample time to create, imagine, run, climb, dig, splash.. or just "be." Our format this summer supports these goals. While we do not adhere to a rigid schedule, or insist upon participation in group activities, there is a consistent rhythm to each day and week. The children feel safe in their routine, yet know that each time they are dropped off, enjoyable experiences await them. 

The Natural Playground, classroom gardens, and open green spaces will be an exciting part of our Summer Days program and will offer our children the optimal outdoor environment for exploration and joyful discovery. 

As you plan your summer, you may be considering Summer Days for all of its sessions, or maybe just a few as a nice complement to another experience. Children love to be in their school environment and Summer Days can be a nice way for your child to continue to bond with MSGH friends, staff, and teachers, while enjoying the special activities we have planned. 

Summer Classroom

The program is guided by our Montessori trained teachers and assistants who will share the simple joys of summer with your child. The summer Montessori classroom differs from the regular classroom in its appearance, due to the different materials available; nevertheless, Montessori is alive and reinforced via independence, freedom of choice, responsibility and routine. Shelves are arranged by subject, and teachers rotate the materials to ensure that the environment remains stimulating. 

Practical Life continues to be a part of the classroom experience. Children are supported in their care of themselves and the environment, which allows them to feel comfortable and capable in navigating their classroom space and routines, similar to the school year. For Toddlers, toileting is an integral part of the daily routine. 

Age-Appropriate Art and Craft materials such as watercolor paints, pastels, oil pastels, clay, charcoal, chalk, crayons, stencils, rubbing, and cutting and pasting supplies are provided. Children are free to enjoy these materials independently or with friends, and receive guided instruction on technique. 

Simple Science experiments and materials that introduce concepts like sink and float, living and non-living, etc. are also in great supply, providing inspiration for outdoor application. 

Manipulatives such as puzzles and construction materials are available to support the development of the child's fine-motor skills. 

2024 Elementary Summer Days Millstream Farm

Elementary Children

Give your child the gift of a summer spent on Millstream Farm. Home to our Adolescent Program, Millstream Farm offers 30-acres of summer memories. The pristine property includes gardens, ponds, streams, forest, wetland and pasture. Farm animals include goats, chickens, bees and sheep. This beautiful farmland abuts the 2,000-acre Nepaug State Forest. The property’s natural diversity and agricultural underpinnings open up limitless possibilities for the students' purposeful activities and joyful exploration. This program is open to children who have completed their primary cycle, lower elementary students, and rising 4th year elementary students.

What's a Typical Week?

Every morning, your child will assist in the daily maintenance of our working farm. This includes the feeding and watering of the animals, cleaning their environments, collecting eggs from the chickens and milking the goats. Your child will delight in the hands-on exploration of zoology, botany, animal husbandry, gardening, art, hiking, river exploration, Spanish and sports.  Our Millstream campers will enjoy a bilingual camp experience, rich with cooking, language, and literature. They will avail of Millstream Farm's environs as well as the neighboring sports fields at Brown's Corner where students are introduced to a variety of sports related activities. Our Millstream campers will enjoy a summer experience like no other. 

Transportation

Transportation will be provided from MSGH's West Hartford Campus to and from Millstream Farm for a limited number of students. The option to avail of transportation will be on a first come, first serve basis at the time of sign-up. The bus will leave West Hartford promptly at 8:00a.m. and return at 4:00p.m. daily. Families who are not utilizing transportation can drop off their children at Millstream Farm at 8:30a.m. and pick-up at the Farm at 3:30p.m. Millstream is located at 741 Steele Road, New Hartford, CT.