Testimonials

From Pat Monson:

"Last summer, Jordan could hardly wait each day to go to the Teddy Bear Tea class at St. Charles Summer Institute. Although she enjoys spending summer at home ‘just playing’, she also thought this class would be fun as she loves her teddy bears and stuffed animals. It was special because they ‘learned to make Bear Paws for treats and now we make them at home and have another yummy treat for our family’. Jordan also enjoyed coloring pictures of teddy bears, making bear crafts, giving here bear a bath & brushing her, reading books about bears and having a picnic. It was also special because the teacher, Mrs. Gleason, shared her love of bears in so many ways – it was contagious! We also chose the Summer Institute as another way to support the St. Charles School and community that give so much to our children throughout the school year."

From Tonya Rensi:

"The St. Charles Summer Institute is a spectacular program. Ed and I are both working parents so we were looking for a special program to accommodate our needs. This is a flexible and well-organized program. It was educational and fun for our daughter. It was available for eight weeks during the summer break. We also felt like it was cost effective and lunch and before and after care also were available. That made the program so convenient for us. Caroline loved every session. There always were two classes she wanted to take in every session but she could only choose one. All the teachers were very creative and enthusiastic. We were very impressed and thrilled with the St. Charles Summer Institute. We would highly recommend it. Our daughter loved it."

From Philippa Guthrie:

"Our family has participated in the St. Charles Institute for approximately six years. We have always been so pleased with the variety of classes offered – our children have trouble choosing which ones to sign up for. And the instructors are wonderful! The best thing about this program is that the kids are learning really worthwhile things but its more like playtime than school….It’s also a godsend for working parents - finding a way to keep kids engaged and happy but also supervised during the summer is a challenge. At the St. Charles Institute the kids can go to a morning class, have lunch bunch, attend an afternoon class, and then go to supervised aftercare until the workday is over. We don’t know how we would have managed without it."

From Lee Ann Sandweiss:

"Each year, our children look forward to receiving the St. Charles Summer Institute catalog, so they can circle the classes that interest them. The only problem is that there are so many great offerings, the kids can’t possibly take them all! The teachers are first-rate-upbeat, prepared, and inspiring-and many return year after year, which our children also look forward to."

From Karen Hoeve Adams:

"We initially selected St. Charles Summer Institute for our boys because it provided both a consistent environment and routine for the family, along with a variety of two distinct classes each day with different sets of classes every two weeks for them. Four summers later, the boys remain enthusiastic about the Institute and selection of classes and that’s no small undertaking given the totally different tastes and interests the twins have for their activities! As parents, we have been impressed with the quality of the classes and the effort put into making them substantive. They are a nice mix of educational activities and fun. Additionally, we love the way younger people are used as assistants for the classes….our boys have gotten to know several of the assistants over the years and they obviously have had good experience interacting with these young people."

From Malcolm Webb:

"St. Charles Summer Institute has provided a wonderful way for Haiz and Marie Claire to spend time with their cousins in a thrilling learning environment."

From Sun-Yank Hwang:

"John, what camp do you want to go this year?" I asked my 4th grade son seeing a flyer of a camp in his school folder (thinking camp season already?). "St. Charles, absolutely!" "Again? What makes you stick to the same camp for 3 years?" Without any hesitation he answered, "Lots of classes for boys and girls of all ages, good and funny teachers and Red Shirts, a good way for children to get to know each other and to make new friends. And everything is very well organized."

"Me, too", my 3 year old daughter joins us, listening to her brother and mom talking. "Why, Robyn?" "Because of good friends and toys. And teachers love me and take care of me like God and I love teachers"
Yes, my children must be very satisfied with their experience in St. Charles summer camp. And I agree with these two witnesses.

First of all, the curriculum of the camp covers various areas, enough for the children’s needs and interest and is well organized in very convenient way for them. They can choose a class among the various options in each session and 2 weeks terms a class seems to be effective period.
Secondly, I trust the camp because of good people involved the camp. Most of teachers seem to be an experienced teachers and an expert in their area. And they have participated in the camp continuously every year. My son waits for Ms. A’s drama class and Mr. B’ science class this year, too, as last year. And "the friendly Red Shirt" seems to be really good helpers to children, playing as a role model to them. My son waits for the day when he comes to be a ‘Red Shirt’ in St. Charles camp. And all the staff I have met there are very kind and supportive to the children and parents.

Lastly, I like the friendly atmosphere of the camp best. Whenever I drop by the camp and meet people there, I can have some warm and stable feeling. I think it is the power to enable the children to get lots of learning, new friends, and memorable experience from only 8-10 weeks camp, staying there happily and safely.

My son, daughter, and I are looking forward to the "Home coming day" this June, as in pat years.