• Courses are capped at a specific number of students to ensure the best possible experience!  

• *New courses created by RPS staff!

• Open to ALL Ridgefield residents as well to children of RPS staff

• Transportation to/from Bridge is not provided. 

• Transportation to Boys and Girls Club available at the end of the day.

• Courses begin at 8:45am and end at 11:45am.

• The Upper Program is located at the Ridgefield High School

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• Information about MS Jump Start (Free program)

• Best Buddies Program 

• High School Volunteer Opportunities 

• Rising 10-12th Grade: Courses for Credit Options

Jump Start for Rising 9th Graders

First Session.    July 7th-8th        

Second Session  July 14th-15th

Cost $50

 
9:00 AM - 12 PM

Open to rising 9th graders

This course is designed to support incoming ninth graders as they prepare for the exciting transition to high school. This two day intensive program will provide students with opportunities to connect with peers, tour the school and gain familiarity with the staff, course offerings, and extracurriculars. Students will also develop valuable tools and skills to excel in their high school coursework from the “jump.” This program is a valuable resource for all incoming freshmen, including those who may be experiencing any anxieties about the transition, new to the district or those who may be the first in their family to attend RHS. 

Anticipated Instructor:  Ms. Karlan & Ms. DeJulio

Get ready to mix, chop, and stir your way to deliciousness in this fun and interactive beginner cooking class! Designed for middle schoolers, Kitchen Creations will teach basic cooking skills, kitchen safety, and easy-to-follow recipes that you can make at home. From simple snacks to tasty treats, you’ll gain confidence in the kitchen while having a blast with your classmates. No experience needed—just bring your appetite and creativity!  Join us for a summer of cooking, tasting, and fun! 

🍕🥗🍪 

Anticipated Instructors: Chad Stewart and Jessica Koning ERMS 

Get ready for a fun, high-energy summer on the courts! This program will teach the basics of both tennis and pickleball through exciting drills, mini games, and skill challenges. Players of all levels will get chances to compete in real match play while improving their skills and confidence. It’s fast-paced, supportive, and perfect for students who love games, movement, and friendly competition!

Anticipated Instructor: Devin Sulliven, SRMS Physical Education

Fishing is back this year and better than ever!!  We added extra days based on feedback from students!  What would be better than spending a summer morning fishing and catching a Bass.  Enjoy a few hours relaxing, relieving stress and meeting kids with a similar interest.  You will learn how to use all your fishing gear, identify which lures work best for a particular environment and possibly trade one for something new.  For those who have never fished before we will have a few extra fishing poles and gear, it's all about the fun. Rain or shine we will fish so don’t forget to pack a poncho!  

Drop off and pick up locations will be different for each day!  

The list of fishing locations will be shared closer to the start of the week.

Anticipated Instructors: Frank Oakes, SRMS Science and Shaun Gallagher, RHS Physical Education

Ready to get your feet off the ground? Join us for an action-packed 3-day experience designed to take your skills to new heights! 

We kick things off on the ground with high-energy cooperative games and low-element challenges that will test your squad’s problem-solving skills. Once the trust is built, we head for the rafters. You won’t just be a climber—you’ll become a pro at the safety systems that keep the adventure running. You will learn the art of the Belay, and taking command as a primary belayer and back-up belayer, 

Whether you are scaling the high elements or managing the ropes for your teammate, this course is about adrenaline, trust, and conquering the climb.

Anticipated Instructors: Carrie Torpey, SRMS Physical Education and Andy Clavi, SRMS Music

Got ideas? Let’s put them on stage! In this fast-paced and creative summer playwriting class, students will dream up characters, write exciting dialogue, and turn their ideas into original one-act plays. Students will work collaboratively to brainstorm, write, rehearse, and perform. Through drama games, writing challenges, and rehearsals, students will bring their stories to life and build confidence as writers and performers. The week wraps up with a fun performance where students act out the plays they created together.

Anticipated Instructor: Jen Bray, SRMS English

Join us for a week of STEM projects! This hands-on course is for any students entering 6th, 7th, 8th or 9th who like to design, build, and test out their personalized projects. Along with attention to detail, students will put their science, technology, engineering, and math skills to the test.  Projects may have to do with thermal energy transfer, flight, simple machine making to name a few.  Get ready to figure out the wonders of science with this engaging hands on course.

Anticipated Instructors: Steve LaBounty, SRMS Science and Sean Geary, SRMS Math

Summer Studio Crafts is a premium, small-group creative experience who love hands-on projects and creating things they’re truly proud of. Think Pottery Factory–style crafting, but right here at RPS. Over five structured days, students work with high-quality materials and real techniques—resin, soap making, hat burning, Mod Podge décor, tie-dye, and coastal seasonal crafts—producing multiple polished, take-home pieces. This program is more expensive than other RPS offerings, but remains very reasonable given the volume of projects, the quality of materials, and the level of instruction involved. It is intentionally planned to ensure structure, safety, and a true studio experience. 

Anticipated Instructor: Amanda Johnson, SRMS Math

Ever wanted to design your own food truck? In this hands-on intensive course, students will work in teams to create a themed food truck menu from start to finish! Over four days, students will brainstorm food truck ideas, design menus, explore how food affects energy and mood, analyze food labels, and take part in fun challenges. By the end of the week, teams will pitch their food truck and menu to the group. This course is creative, interactive, and perfect for students who love food, teamwork, and trying new ideas—no cooking experience needed!

Anticipted Instructor: Kristin DiMarino, RHS Health

Calling all student bakers! In this fun, four-day Baking Bootcamp, student chefs will mix, roll, knead, and decorate their way through cookies, pies, tarts, yeast breads, and cakes. Along the way, they’ll learn essential baking skills, kitchen safety, measuring precision, and creative decorating techniques—while having a blast and taking home sweet treats to share. This course will take place in an instructional kitchen under the guidance of a certified culinary instructor. 

Anticipated Instructor: Martha DeSantis, RHS FCS

Isn't it time you were on Stage? Students will explore the foundational elements of acting, including voice and movement, character development, improvisation, and script analysis. Through individual and ensemble work, students will engage in various performance exercises and scene studies designed to build confidence, creativity, and a deeper understanding of dramatic storytelling.

Anticipated Instructor: Jane Tulley, RHS English & Acting

Snack Lab is a hands-on course where students become snack scientists and entrepreneurs. You'll investigate popular snacks, create healthier alternatives using real ingredients, and compete in a "Shark-Tank" style pitch to prove your snack is better than name brands. Expect taste-tests, challenges, nutrition information, and lots of creativity! 

OPEN TO RISING 8th & 9th graders

Anticipated Instructor: Rachel Fleischer, RHS Health & PE

High school brings new expectations for how students manage their time, read complex texts, write clearly, and collaborate with peers. This five-day intensive is designed to make those expectations visible and manageable before the school year begins.

Students will work with real high school–level materials and engage in guided practice focused on three essential skills: time management, reading for understanding, and academic writing. Through structured discussion, choice-based reading and writing tasks, and collaborative problem-solving, students will build confidence in their ability to meet high school expectations.

By the end of the week, students will leave with a small portfolio of work—including a written paragraph, annotated reading, and a personal academic plan—that reflects both their readiness for ninth grade and their growing independence as learners.

Open to Rising 9th graders only

Anticipated Instructor: Matthew Goetz, RHS English

This 4 day intensive robotics course will give a basic introduction to robotic design and creation. What a great way to be introduced to the Robotics program at RHS with one our own product design, engineering teachers!

Anticipated Instructor: Michael Murphy, RHS 

Physics, Robotics, Engineering & Product Design

Become your very own crime scene investigator. Learn all about forensics, searching for evidence, and gathering clues. You will learn all about fingerprinting, handwriting analysis, blood spatter and more! Learn how to classify clues and help solve a crime!

Open ONLY to Rising 8-9th graders

Anticipated Instructor: Nermeen Reyes, RHS Physics