School-vacation weeks

Winter & Spring Break Camps

School's out — the growing doesn't have to stop. In winter, a week inside the United Nations. In spring, social innovation and a real $1,000 grant. Both built on argumentation, persuasion, public speaking, and writing, capped by a finished project your child presents on the last day.

See the weeks Get notified when dates drop

Two weeks a year

One in winter. One in spring.

Both camps run at Lesley University, Cambridge. Winter Break Camp runs Monday–Friday; Spring Break Camp runs Tuesday–Friday, because Monday is Patriots' Day. The themes are set — exact dates are announced closer to each break, and the interest list below hears first.

February 2027

Winter Break Camp

February vacation · Mon–Fri

$500 · Five full days, Monday–Friday

This year's theme: The United Nations

A week inside the United Nations — how the world argues, decides, and does good together. Each day takes on one piece of the UN, through the same argumentation, persuasion, public speaking, and writing our whole program is built on.

Day 1The UN Charter — the rules the world wrote for itself

Day 2The Security Council — who decides, and who can say no

Day 3UNESCO — World Heritage sites worth protecting

Day 4UNICEF — the UN in a child's life

Day 5The Sustainable Development Goals — and your pitch to advance one

April 2027

Spring Break Camp

April vacation · Tue–Fri

$400 · Four full days, Tuesday–Friday — Monday is Patriots' Day

This year's theme: Social innovation & entrepreneurship

Four days on doing good, well — what counts as doing good, how to plan it, how to reward it, and how to tell whether it worked. It all builds toward directing a real $1,000 grant.

Day 1Defining doing good — what counts, and who decides

Day 2Planning doing good — from idea to workable plan

Day 3Rewarding doing good — making the case for a real $1,000 grant

Day 4Evaluating doing good — did it work? Presentations & grant decision

What they'll practice

Four skills. One finished project.

UN week or grant week, the training is the same four muscles our whole program is built on — and every camper leaves with something real they made and presented.

ArgumentationClaim, evidence, warrant — students learn what an argument actually is, and how to build one that holds up when someone pushes back.

PersuasionEthos, pathos, logos, and how to read an audience — the difference between being right and bringing people with you.

Public speakingDaily reps in front of a friendly room: structure, presence, and real techniques for nerves — until speaking up feels natural.

WritingClear, punchy prose with a point of view — the skill behind every good speech, op-ed, and pitch they'll ever make.

Friday is demo day. Every week ends with a finished project — written, rehearsed, and presented to the room. Students don't just practice the skills; they leave with proof they used them.

Spring campers direct a real $1,000 grant. The week ends with campers making, defending, and evaluating the case for where the money should go — how it's awarded takes shape with the group, so every voice counts.

Simple pricing

$500 winter. $400 spring.

$800for both weeks — winter and spring
(save $100)

Winter: Monday–Friday · Spring: Tuesday–Friday (Monday is Patriots' Day)
Full days at Lesley University, Cambridge
All materials, snacks, and personal feedback
A finished project presented on Friday
The same 1:7 instructor-to-student care as summer

Join the interest list

Summer alumni save 25%

Did a summer week with us? Your 25% alumni discount applies to break-camp tuition automatically when registration opens. See the summer program →

Cost shouldn't decide this. Financial aid is available — and no student is ever turned away for cost. See aid →

Be first to hear

Dates drop soon. Get them first.

We announce each camp's exact dates a couple of months before the break — and spots go to the interest list first. Leave your details and we'll email you the moment registration opens.

No commitment · $500 winter · $400 spring · $800 for both · Alumni save 25%