SHAPE COURSES
SHAPE COURSES
To register, click "Register for Session IP", "Register for Session 1H!" or "Register for Session 2H!" under the appropriate course.
You can add multiple courses to your MySchoolBucks cart and check out all at once.
Important: If you are registering multiple students, please complete a separate checkout for each student.
PARTICIPANTS ARE EXPECTED TO MANAGE THEIR OWN TRANSPORTATION TO BOTH RFH AND OFFSITE SESSION LOCATIONS.
Rock Fun House I: Songwriting & Recording
(click here for more specifics for this unique course)
Description: Ever wanted to create a real song from scratch? In Rock Fun House, RFH student musicians and creators will collaborate to write lyrics, compose music, and record an original song together. Students will work like a real band and production team, using school instruments and recording equipment to bring their ideas to life. By the end of the session, the group will have a fully recorded original track and student-designed cover art ready for release. This is a high-energy, creative experience focused on teamwork, performance, and music production.
Lab/Experience: Hands-on recording lab in the RFH Music Room/Recording Space.
Students will rehearse, record vocals and instruments, and help produce a collaborative original song using microphones, instruments, and digital audio software.
Session Offered: Session IP
Teacher: Jorge Carvalho
Session IP Mandatory Dates:
Note: This course is fully in person!
6/22- 6/25, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM, RFH
Note: Rock Fun House I & II are designed as independent experiences; students may enroll in either session individually or take both to build on their skills.
Rock Fun House II: Mixing, Mastering, & Release
(click here for more specifics for this unique course)
Description: Take a recorded song and turn it into a finished release. In this second Rock Fun House session, students will step into the role of music producers and sound engineers. Using the song created in Session I, students will learn how to edit, mix, and polish tracks so they are ready for streaming platforms. They will explore effects, balance, and sound design while preparing the final version of the RFH Summer track for YouTube or Spotify. Perfect for students interested in music production, technology, and behind-the-scenes creative work.
Lab/Experience: Digital music production lab in the RFH Music Room/Computer Lab.
Students will use recording software to edit, mix, and prepare a final mastered version of the student-created song for release.
Session Offered: Session IP
Teacher: Jorge Carvalho
Session IP Mandatory Dates:
Note: This course is fully in person!
6/29-7/2, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, RFH
Fashion & Accessory Design
Description: An exploration of all aspects of fashion design, including history, current trends, and practical skills like drawing croquis and designing original pieces. Students will be using the tools current fashion designers use.
Lab/Experience: In-person meetings to learn material handling and drawing techniques. To have group discussions about trends. Looking at materials, fabrics, designs. Students may meet at various local fashion retail stores (The Grove in Shrewsbury) to discuss and look at current trends and find inspiration
Session Offered: Session IP
Teacher: Kristen Lanfrank
Session IP Mandatory Dates:
Note: This course is fully in person!
7/6 & 7/8, 9:00 AM-11:00 AM, RFH
7/14 & 7/16, 9:00 AM-11:00 AM, RFH
7/22, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, The Grove, Shrewsbury
7/27, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM, RFH
Intro to Cartooning
Description: Welcome to Intro to Cartooning! Over the next 4 weeks you will learn how comics are made from beginning to end. More complex than just putting images into boxes, you'll write a story, learn how to lay out your script, understand paneling and how each image affects the outcome of your work.
Cartooning is an amazing medium that is full of expression and meaning. The stories that are told range from children's illustration all the way to movie adaptations! While we're also learning to draw and create, we'll be looking at some famous examples of comics to bring inspiration to your work. I'm excited to see all of you!
Lab/Experience: RFH Art room 103
Session Offered: Session 1H & Session 2H
Teacher: Alexa James
Session 1_Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick-off: 6/22, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
In Person Lab/Experience: 6/29,
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/17, 12:00PM - 1:00 PM
Session 2 Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick Off: 7/6, 12:00 PM -1:00 PM
In Person Lab/Experience: 7/22, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM, RFH
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/31, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Anthropology of the Beach
Description: This class will focus on the anthropology of beach towns in NJ and around the world. We'll be researching a variety of topics, such as the economic impacts of tourism, local culture and attitude, environmental concerns, and more. Students will complete written responses, research tasks, reading assignments, and craft a final project of creating a website for a beach town of their choice.
Lab/Experience: A culture analysis trip to Point Pleasant Beach and Boardwalk.
Session Offered: Session 1H & Session 2H.
Teacher: Jess Mentzel
Session 1H Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick Off: 6/23, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
In Person Lab/Experience: 7/8,12:00 PM - 2:00 PM, Point Pleasant Boardwalk
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/16, 4:30 PM - 5:30PM
Session 2H Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick Off: 7/7, 4:30 PM - 5:30PM
In Person Lab/Experience: 7/22, 12:00 - 2:00 PM, Point Pleasant Boardwalk
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/30, 4:30 PM - 5:30PM
The Tapestry of Verse: Weaving Sound, Image, and Structure in Poetry
Description: This class will give students an opportunity to explore poetry in a relaxed environment. They will be reading a mixture of classic and modern poetry, exploring song lyrics as poetry, and crafting their own poems. Our lens will be poetry as art, with an emphasis on appreciation, rather than academic analysis of the literature.
Lab/Experience: In-person workshop at RFH for sharing and peer discussion.
Session Offered: Session 1H & Session 2H
Teacher: Jess Mentzel
Session 1H Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick Off: 6/22, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
In Person Lab/Experience: 7/2, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, RFH
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/15, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Session 2H Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick Off: 7/6, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
In Person Lab/Experience: 7/21, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, RFH
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/29, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Designing Realities: World Building for Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Realistic Fiction
Description: This course will allow students to explore worlds that they enjoy in various literary, television, and film sources. They will craft an analysis on a world of their choice, explore various genres of writing, and then craft a world of their own creation in a genre of their choice. Students will write rules for the world, come up with history of their world, and craft stories that take place within the world. This class is a great choice for students with interest in trying out creative writing without the commitment to a semester course.
Lab/Experience: In-person workshop at RFH for feedback and discussion.
Session Offered: Session 1H and Session 2H
Teacher: Jess Mentzel
Session 1H Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick Off: 6/22, 4:30 PM - 5:30PM
In Person Lab/Experience: 7/2, 12:45 PM - 2:45PM, RFH
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/15 =, 4:30 PM - 5:30PM
Session 2H Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick Off: 7/6, 4:30 PM - 5:30PM
In Person Lab/Experience: 7/21, 12:45 PM - 2:45PM, RFH
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/29 , 4:30 PM - 5:30PM
How to Win Arguments & Influence Others
Description: Have you ever heard the adage “the pen is mightier than the sword”? Well, the spoken word can be just as powerful. Unfortunately, many people fear public speaking! But it’s not something to fear. Once you find your confidence, it is a strength that can be utilized like a weapon. It can help you win arguments and influence others to gain advantages in clubs and careers. It will help you become a better student too. According to the New Jersey Speech and Debate League, students who participate in speech and debate programs and extracurriculars have significant advantages on the SAT and for college admissions. In this course, students will develop confidence and extemporaneous speaking skills that will help them sell themselves and their skills. They will engage in analytical thinking and reading to improve their argumentation. They will also prepare and engage in formalized debate after an in person research experience at InfoAge Space Center. Students who complete this course will leave more confident and well prepared to speak publicly in the future.
Lab/Experience: In person debate competition hosted at InfoAge Space Center in Wall, NJ
Session Offered: Session 1H & Session 2H
Teacher: Aubrey Torta
Session 1H_Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick Off: 6/24, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
In Person Lab/Experience: 7/8, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM, InfoAge Space Center, Wall
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/15, 4:00 PM-5:00 PM
Session 2H_Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick Off: 7/8, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
In Person Lab/Experience: 7/22, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM, InfoAge Space Center, Wall
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/29, 3:00 PM-4:00 PM
The Mastermind Behind the Mic: The Art of the Pop Icon
Description: Why does one lyric from Taylor Swift crash Ticketmaster? How did Billie Eilish turn a "look" into a global movement? This summer, we’re deconstructing the blueprints of stardom. Go behind the scenes to see how the world’s biggest icons use high-level language, visual storytelling, and psychological strategy to build empires. This isn't a fan club—it’s a deep dive into the science of persuasion. Learn the tools they use to command attention, build power, and move the world.
Lab/Experience: "The Vinyl Frontier" field trip to a local record store to analyze the visual rhetoric of album covers through a scavenger hunt.
Session Offered: Session 1H and Session 2H
Teacher: Jessica Olszewski
Session 1H Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick Off: 6/23 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
In Person Lab/Experience: 7/9, 2:00 - 4:00, Jack’s Music Shoppe,Red Bank
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/14, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Session 2H Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick Off: 7/7, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
In Person Lab/Experience: 7/16, 2:00 - 4:00 PM, Jack’s Music Shoppe, Red Bank
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/28, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Music History of NJ
Description: This class will explore musicians of NJ, analyzing albums, discussing lyrics, and exploring both NJ culture's impact on the music and the impact of NJ on the music. We'll cover multiple genres and time periods of music, including, but not limited to: Oldies/Classic, Pop, Rock, and Alternative. Students will participate in activities including: reading from nonfiction music history books and memoirs, writing album analysis responses, participating in seminar discussions, crafting original song lyrics, and forming a cultural impact analysis.
Lab/Experience: Visit to the Bruce Springsteen archives at Monmouth University.
Cost: Ticket to archives- price TBD, information not yet available
Session Offered: Session 1H and Session 2H
Teacher: Jess Mentzel
Session 1H Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick Off: 6/23, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
In Person Lab/Experience: 7/9, PM TBD, Springsteen Center, Monmouth University
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/16, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Session 2H Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick Off: 7/7, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
In Person Lab/Experience: 7/23, PM TBD, Springsteen Center, Monmouth University
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/30, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
The Social Fabric: Sociology of Fashion
Description: Are you interested in fashion as a form of self-expression? Do you wonder why we gravitate toward certain brands and accessories? This course invites you to decode the hidden meanings within our own closets. We’ll discover how style signals status, negotiates identity, and impacts our global environment. Course readings partner with activities (such as a digital lookbook lab and viral trend analysis) to explore our perception of fashion after the design process. (Pairs well with Fashion & Accessory Design!)
Lab/Experience: Vintage thrift exploration & analysis in Asbury.
Session Offered: Session 1H and Session 2H
Teacher: Gabrielle Eglinton
Session 1H Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick Off: 6/22, 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
In Person Lab/Experience: 7/3, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, A Cup of Literature/ Shedhead, Luxe & Shadows/ Rebel Supply Co., Asbury Park
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/16, 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Session 2H Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick Off: 7/6, 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
In Person Lab/Experience: 7/17, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, A Cup of Literature/ Shedhead, Luxe & Shadows/ Rebel Supply Co., Asbury Park
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/28, 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Little Bulldogs Academy
Description: Students explore the psychology of child development while gaining hands-on teaching experience. Through observation, research on the developing brain, and lesson design, students learn how preschool-aged children think, learn, and behave. Each student will create and teach an in-person lesson, observe peer lessons, and reflect on their experience using developmental research. This course is ideal for students interested in psychology, education, pediatrics, or social work and emphasizes real-world application of child development principles.
Lab/Experience: Students will engage in an applied lab experience focused on early childhood development through hands-on practice at a local preschool. Through guided observation, lesson implementation, and peer teaching, students apply developmental research in real classroom settings. The lab emphasizes reflective practice, data collection, and connecting theory to authentic learning experiences.
Session Offered: Session 1H & Session 2H
Teacher: Erika Waltz
Session 1H_Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick Off: 6/22, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
In Person Lab/Experience: 7/8, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Local Preschool, Middletown
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/16, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Session 2H Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick Off: 7/6, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
In Person Lab/Experience: 7/22, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Local Preschool, Middletown
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/30, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
RFH Wellness: Physical & Mental Health Approaches to the Good Life!
Description: Through guided instruction, journals, worksheets, and in-person activities, students will explore how exercise, nutrition, sleep, stress management, and emotional awareness are interconnected, and how improving one area can positively impact the other—boosting energy, focus, confidence, and overall well-being. Taking this course over the summer allows students to invest in themselves without the pressure of a busy school year, helping them return to school healthier, more resilient, and better prepared to succeed both academically and personally.
Lab/Experience: Sea Bright beach- Breathing exercises, meditation, journaling, and snacks will be provided.
Session Offered: Session 1H and Session 2H
Teacher: Jared Gonsalves
Session: 1H Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick Off: 6/22,10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
In Person Lab/Experience: 7/10, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Sea Bright Beach
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/17, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Session: 2H Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick Off: 7/6, 11:00AM -12:00 PM
In Person Lab/Experience: 7/24, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Sea Bright Beach
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/31,10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
The Wonderful World of Disney & Imagineering
Description: Have you ever wondered why the pavement in Liberty Square is a different color than the rest of the park, or how a single ride can tell a story about the American frontier? This course pulls back the curtain on the most visited vacation destination on Earth to reveal a masterclass in American history, urban planning, and cultural storytelling. If you are interested in history, architecture, design, culture and film, or creative writing, this course offers you a chance to see the "World" through the eyes of an Imagineer. Or, if you just love Disney World, this course is for you! What we will cover: We will trace the history of Walt Disney’s "Florida Project" from a secret swamp land deal to a global cultural phenomenon. You will analyze how Disney parks serve as "living museums". We will explore the evolution of storytelling, from the classic animatronics of the 1960s to the modern, inclusive redesigns of today, such as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Lab/Experience: "Blue Sky to Blueprints" In this lab, the Upper Learning Commons is transformed into a Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) Studio. After two weeks of studying Disney’s design principles and historical themes asynchronously, students meet in person to move from the "Blue Sky" (brainstorming) phase to the "Schematic Design" phase of their final projects. In this collaborative, creative workshop, you’ll bring your ideas to life as you design your own original ride, themed land, or reimagined attraction. Using real Imagineering principles, you’ll sketch your concept, develop a compelling storyline, and think critically about how history, culture, and guest experience shape great theme park design.
*A subscription to (or free trial) of Disney+ is requested as part of the course will use documentaries featured on this platform.
Session Offered: Session 2H
Teacher: Nick DelBuono
Session 2H Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick Off: 7/6, 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
In Person Lab/Experience: 7/22, 8:30 AM -10:30 AM, RFH
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/30, 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
La Copa Mundial: Periodismo en Vivo
(The World Cup: Live Sports Journalism)
Description: La Copa Mundial: Periodismo en Vivo (The World Cup: Live Sports Journalism) invites you to trade the classroom for the press box in this immersive, Spanish-language experience covering the 2026 World Cup in real-time. As a credentialed "beat reporter," you will adopt a national team to track through the tournament, producing "hot take" reaction videos, debating VAR controversies, and live-blogging the drama of the knockout rounds. The action moves off-screen with an exclusive field trip to Bell Works for a massive "Round of 16" Watch Party, where you will capture fan interviews and experience the electric atmosphere firsthand. Join us to perfect your sports vocabulary and on-camera presence in a high-energy environment that feels more like a professional internship than summer school.
Lab/Experience: Exclusive field trip to Bell Works for a Watch Party.
Session Offered: Session 1H
Teacher: Yannell Maglione
Session 1H_Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick Off: 6/23 10:00 AM- 11:00 AM
In Person Lab/Experience:7/7, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM, Bell Works, Holmdel
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/14, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
The Super-Student: AI-Powered Study Systems
Description: High school gets busy fast, learn to handle it like a pro before the stress hits. In this hands-on course, you will discover the "secret weapons" of top students: using Google’s NotebookLM to hack your homework and study smarter, not harder. You’ll learn to turn boring textbook chapters into listening-on-the-go podcasts, instantly generate practice quizzes for your next biology or history test, and organize all your classwork into a personal "Second Brain." We’ll even take a field trip to the Bell Works campus to test your new skills in a real innovation hub. Don't just survive high school; build the system you need to crush it and still have time for a life.
Lab/Experience: A visit to Bell Works to test innovation skills in an atmosphere that mimics a college campus.
Session Offered: Session 2H
Teacher: Yannell Maglione
Session 2H_Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick Off: 7/6, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
In Person Lab/Experience: 7/20, 11:00 AM- 1:00 PM, Bell Works, Holmdel
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/28, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Top Chef: Culture Through Cuisine
Description: Immerse yourself in the culinary arts with Top Chef: Culture Through Cuisine, a Spanish-language experience where you compete for "Michelin Stars" and the "Golden Apron" rather than traditional grades. Over four weeks, you will build your portfolio by filming TikTok-style cooking demos, critiquing peers, and embarking on an authentic "Bodega Scavenger Hunt" and dining field trip in Red Bank. Join us to master sensory vocabulary and professional kitchen commands in a high-interest environment that transforms the world of gastronomy.
Lab/Experience: Bodega Scavenger Hunt and authentic meal ordering at Mi Lupita’s Kitchen.
Session Offered: Session 2H
Teacher: Yannell Maglione
Session 2H Mandatory Dates:
Live Virtual Kick Off: 7/6, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
In Person Lab/Experience: 7/16, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Juanito’s Market then Mi Lupita's Kitchen, Red Bank
Live Virtual Wrap-up: 7/28, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM