ExploreStar Workshop Descriptions
Click on Instructor's Name for their Bio

ABC’s of Child Development (service only)– Hands-on week of learning skills to care for children.  The week will also include working with our Junior Explorer program. 
Basketball – Join Sidwell’s coach Anne “Poff” Renninger and her great staff for drills and games. This workshop is open to all skill levels.
Beginning Spanish – Hablas Espanol?  You can!  This class is an immersion Spanish class designed for beginning to intermediate Spanish speakers.  There is no previous knowledge of Spanish required, and students will learn the basics in a fun, Spanish-only environment.  There will be Spanish language games and activities, and students will be amazed at how much can be learned in just one week! Instructor: Beth Heltzer
Broadcast Boot Camp – Spend time in front of the camera, producing behind the scenes, and writing for TV! Instructor: Adriene Jordan, former television news producer at CBS Evening News, is a filmmaker and founder of Freedup Films.
Cartooning – Learn to create characters and a universe around them. Sequence the events into a cartoon strip/book. Learn about the technical tricks of the trade and current trends in cartooning. Instructor: Michael Auger.
Castle Life for Knights, Princesses, Kings and Queens – Led by our magical friends at Good Knight Castle, join us for a fabulous mini workshop in medieval fun.  Role play as we ‘dress up’ in full suits of armor, crowns, gowns, tunics, and an assortment of swords, shields and other medieval memorabilia. Learn about the award winning Good Knight Child Safety Awareness program and stranger danger and Internet safety.
Ceramics – Explore the various ways of working with clay, from hand building to throwing on the wheel. Students will explore concepts of form and function and try out different decorative techniques. Both beginners and those with some clay experience are welcome. Instructor: Rebecca Ravenal, professional potter, returns for her fourth Sidwell Summer.
COMPUTER WORKSHOPS LED BY CTCE™ INSTRUCTORS
(click here for workshop descriptions)
CTCE provides hands-on technology instruction.  No prior knowledge needed.

• Advanced Robotics
• BAG it!  Build Arcade games
• Beginner Engineering
• Claymation Creation
• Intelligent House
• Intermediate Engineering
• Ultimate Ride

Cooking – Delicious cooking demonstrations and participation laboratories.  Themes will change week to week.
Creative Writing – A great way to improve your writing skills! Campers will be exposed to imaginative writing including short stories and poems. Instructor: Pamela Ehrenberg
Debate – Come voice your opinion! Learn the art of debate.
Digital Movie – Using the latest camera and computer technology, learn how to write scripts, make storyboards, shoot, use lighting and sound, edit, add special effects, and more! 
Fashion Design – What’s in style? Come find out in this fashion design workshop and  to check out the hot new trends.  See the application for topics. Topics include Fashion Illustration: Model Drawing and Fashion 101: Sewing Workshop.  Instructor: Michelle Volberg
Film Critics – Watch fun movie clips, have meaningful discussions to help you think about what it is you enjoy about the film, and work on turning your thoughts into a polished review.
Global Cuisine – This class will learn about food from around the world.  Each day, the students will learn about the various important dishes from different parts of the world, and will get to cook one of these dishes.  The countries and cuisines they will learn about include: Spanish, French, Italian, Mexican, and Thai.  Participants will learn about different spices and main ingredients found throughout the cuisine of each country, and will get to sample various dishes. Instructor: Beth Heltzer
Green Architecture – Learn firsthand the exciting process of designing a building that is friendly to the environment, like Sidwell’s new Platinum Level Middle School building.  The rest of the workshops will be filled with hands-on activities that will help you learn the art and science that is Green Architecture!
Hocus Pocus – Want to dazzle friends at your next party? Make a quarter disappear! Pull a rabbit out of a hat! Instructor: A professional magician Good Night Castle, will give you an insider’s course on the basics of magic.
Jewelry –Beads, beads and more beads!  Transform simple beads and wire into beautiful necklaces, bracelets and earrings for you or a friend.
Journalism –Sign up for this workshop to learn journalism basics or to improve your journalistic skills.  Students will have the opportunity to write editorials, sports stories, and learn about ethical issues in this afternoon workshop offered each week.
Leadership 101 – Brush up on your leadership skills!  Activities may include: team building exercises, community service project, and sessions on peer counseling and mediation.
Magic of American Politics - Discover the magic that is American Politics. In this one week workshop, students will learn the ins and outs of our Constitution and Bill of Rights while participating in a mock Congress. Students will campaign, get elected and serve as public servants. As the 2008 elections approaches, make sure your child is as political savvy as you!
Mad Science™ Robots – In this robotics extravaganza, the campers will make their own robots (type to be determined).  Campers will be required to handle extremely tiny parts and must be able to work well on their own and be able to follow instructions. This workshop will be led by a Mad Science™ instructor.
Mock Trial – Participants will have the opportunity to serve as attorneys and witnesses in cases designed to raise interesting legal and moral issues. Instructor: Jeffrey Schimelfenig
Mosaic – Students in this workshop will learn the mosaic process by creating their own mosaic to take home at the end of the week.  Students will design, cement and grout tiles while learning about safety along the way. Instructor: Rebecca Ravenal
Painting – Express yourself on canvas. Learn how to mix and apply color. Class will be based out of the Bishop’s Garden of the National Cathedral. Instructor: Gavin Glakas, a professional painter, returns for his sixth Sidwell Summer.
Passport to Paris! – Bonjour mes amis! An exploration of the culture, language, and cuisine of France. Students will learn about Paris and France in general.  Highlights of the workshop will be navigating Paris’ metro system, recreating important monuments, visiting a French restaurant in DC, sampling various French dishes from baguettes to escargot, and practicing basic French language.  Instructor: Beth Heltzer
Perfect Party – From invitations to the desserts - learn how to plan a fantastic event!  Participants will cook, learn etiquette and planning techniques from an expert.
Photography – Come to the darkroom and discover the meaning of aperture, the importance of film speed, and how to develop your own black and white photos! Each camper is required to bring a 35mm camera to the workshop each day.
Public Speaking – Learn the importance of clear writing and speaking, body language, and dynamics. This is a skill you will use forever!
Rescue 911 - Come peek inside the amazing world of emergency fire and rescue services!  This interactive week will include hands-on experiences and activities with Personal Protective Equipment and a variety of tools used in fire and rescue emergencies, an introduction to First Aid and the different components of a First Aid Kit as you make your very own to take home with you, and the opportunity to get your CPR and AED certification through a National Safety Council course.  We will also tour a Rescue Squad and explore the different vehicles and equipment there. 
Safesitters™ – Learn the required skills and ethics to become a safe, caring babysitter in this hands-on class. Add afternoon community service component working with Juniors. Instructors are Safesitters™ certified.
Scrapbooking- Sign up for the Scrapbooking workshop and celebrate your memories!  Each camper will create three Little Paper Albums to take home.  You will learn how to crop photos and use the perfect paper and stickers to make your own albums. Instructor: Aimee Tomko
Santha’s Science Workshops- Former SFS Science teacher leads weekly science classes (see calendar for dates/topics) including: Geology, Green Schools, Magnets, Forensics, Chemistry, and Dissecting! Instructor: Santha Bundy- Farah
Sidwell Friends BioBlitz- Join Sidwell Friends' pioneering effort to find and identify the plants and animals in and around our campus.  In particular, we will be catching and observing birds, mammals, insects, wildflowers, and trees.  Meet some of the creatures that share our city with us, learn how to identify them, and gain experience preparing (plant and insect) specimens for scientific study.  Sessions will be outdoors and in the laboratory.  With sufficient interest, we can even be out at night (finding bats with detectors, setting up light traps for insects, and finding small mammals).
Sight See Spain – Explore the wonders of Spain!  Students will learn basic Spanish vocabulary, about important monuments such as the Alhambra, and the highlight will be a trip to a Spanish restaurant to indulge in Spanish dishes such as paella and patatas bravas. Instructor: Beth Heltzer
Sports – Have a blast trying out different sports in this general sports workshop!  You may shoot some hoops, work on your forehand, or dribble down the field.  Each day is sure to be different and a great way to get some exercise.
Sports Cast (Sports Journalism) – A sports fan’s dream come true! Learn from an expert in the field on how to ‘report’ on sporting events in all forms of media – print, on-line, radio, television and more. Instructor: Adriene Jordan is a filmmaker and founder of Freedup Films.
Studio Art –Create art using a variety of mediums!  This afternoon workshop is offered each week for those who want to explore drawing, painting and more.
Urban Ecology – Learn the living things that share our urban environment, how to use field identification guides, and how to carry out field ecology studies with Dave Wood, Sidwell MS Science teacher.   One all day field trip to explore an interesting natural habitat (typically Thursday).   
Volleyball – Bump, set, spike! Join your friends at the net for an awesome week of learning volleyball skills. All skill levels welcome in this workshop. Instructor: Sidwell Coach Amber Coleman.
Visit Latin America – Do you know about the great variety of cultures in Latin America?  Come learn about Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina, Chile and more!  This will be a very hands-on class-learning dances, recreating famous artwork, and exploring a wide variety of music.  Students will learn some basic Spanish and new expressions from all of the different regions. Instructor: Beth Heltzer
Yoga – This mini workshop will entail a variety of Vinyasa Yoga movements with instructors from Hot Yoga™.