While the possibility does exist, the great majority of summer enrichment programs are quite different from both school and summer school. SuperCamps academic summer camps are one example of summer enrichment programs that kids and teens enjoy while gaining new learning and life skills.

SuperCamp is held on college campuses throughout the U.S. each summer. Students who attend SuperCamps summer programs are taken aback by the dynamic facilitators, the presence of music and the engaging, interactive nature of the camp.

We understand that our job is to get into the students world, says SuperCamp co-founder and president, Bobbi DePorter. We dont do it by lecturing; instead we accomplish this by presenting an environment to which they relate.

By doing so, SuperCamp creates a receptive learning environment within its kids camp programs and teen summer camps. And students who are reluctant to go to SuperCamp at the outset of the 10-day summer program cant wait to return the following year by the time their camp ends.

The results achieved with students who attend SuperCamp support the fact that the non-school approach is effective. A study with over 6,000 SuperCamp graduates reports that 73 percent raised their grades in the following school year. Well over 80 percent say that their confidence and self-esteem improved after attending SuperCamp.

While labeled an academic camp, SuperCamp actually combines learning skills and life skills instruction with physical challenges that help students gain confidence and develop team-building, leadership and communication skills. Every minute of SuperCamps 10-day summer programs is orchestrated to maximize the students attention and, in turn, learning and long-term retention.

Students do get 90 minutes of free time each afternoon before dinner, during which they can swim, play basketball and other games, read, relax or hang out with their new friends. Most evenings include smaller group of activities within teams of 10 to 12 students and a team leader. When its time for lights out, the campers are usually ready for bed and a good nights sleep.

One similarity to school at SuperCamp is graduation. On day 10, parents arrive for the emotionally-charged graduation ceremony where campers are invited to share insights from their 10-day learning adventure. The transformation seen by many parents in their kids is visible and touching.