Summer at Franklin
Welcome to Summer at Franklin!
Summer at Franklin is not a traditional summer program. It is a place where neurodivergent teenagers are understood, challenged, and celebrated for exactly who they are. Our two- and four-week residential programs combine the energy and fun of summer camp with Franklin Academy’s deep expertise in supporting neurodivergent students. At Summer at Franklin, every experience has a purpose. Students explore their interests through immersive elective courses in areas such as theater, forensics, animal science, cooking, robotics, and the arts. At the same time, they strengthen the executive functioning, social, and independent living skills that help them navigate school, relationships, and life with greater confidence. What makes our program especially distinctive is the individualized insight families receive. Throughout the summer, our experienced educators observe each student across academic, residential, and social settings. At the conclusion of the program, families receive a comprehensive written assessment of their student’s executive and social functioning, measured against grade-based benchmarks. This provides more than a summary of the summer. It offers meaningful information that can help guide future goals, supports, and conversations. Just as importantly, Summer at Franklin gives students the opportunity to experience genuine belonging. Our structured, neurodiversity-affirming environment allows students to build friendships, practice independence, take healthy risks, and discover new strengths without having to mask who they are. Our educators and residential staff provide the right balance of guidance, encouragement, and space for students to grow. And, of course, summer should be fun. Students enjoy off-campus excursions to beaches, amusement parks, and other regional attractions, along with evening activities, collaborative projects, games, and plenty of opportunities to relax and connect with peers. Students leave Summer at Franklin with more than great memories. They return home with greater confidence, deeper self-awareness, stronger skills, new friendships, and a renewed sense of what is possible. We cannot wait to welcome our next cohort to Franklin Academy for a summer of exploration, growth, friendship, and joy.–Dr. Alexander Morris-Wood
Head of School
A Transformative Summer Experience
Discover Summer at Franklin, the premier summer program designed specifically for neurodivergent students in grades 7–12. This transformative experience blends essential support in relationship development, academic skills, independent living, and executive functioning—creating an environment where every student can thrive. With interest-based tracks and hands-on learning opportunities, students immerse themselves in their passions, learn innovative strategies, and embrace the excitement of a New England summer.
All students begin their journey on June 27, 2027, with the option to enroll for two weeks or four weeks, giving families the flexibility to shape a summer that fits their goals.
This year, we’re thrilled to offer three featured paths for students eager to take a deeper dive:
Robotics: Build, program, and innovate through real-world engineering challenges.
Printmaking: Explore the art of design and print through creative studio work.
Franklin Futures: A college application and search bootcamp designed especially for students beginning or actively pursuing the college process.
Alongside these featured paths, students may also participate in a variety of other interest-based paths and activities that support personal growth, community engagement, and skill-building, incuding:
- Cooking
- Animal Science
- Farm Entreprenuership
- Cybersecurity
- Theater
- Student Leadership
Beyond the classroom and studio, adventure awaits. Students will enjoy local trips to beaches and amusement parks, embark on a day trip to Boston, and experience thrilling live performances right here in East Haddam. These shared experiences foster connection, social confidence, and lasting friendships—creating a summer that’s as joyful as it is meaningful. Whether for two weeks or four, Summer at Franklin 2027 is more than a program. It’s a community where students can shine, grow, and build memories that last a lifetime.
Summer at Franklin 2027 applications are open. Start your journey to Franklin today!
Choose Your Path: Be Real. Be You. Be Franklin.
Every participant selects two engaging Paths, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, creating a personalized summer experience shaped by what excites and inspires them. Each Path is intentionally designed around hands-on learning, creativity, collaboration, and exploration. There are no grades and no pressure to perform. Instead, students have the freedom to take healthy risks, build confidence, and experience the satisfaction of creating, contributing, and succeeding.
Whether students are drawn to technology, the arts, animals, cooking, leadership, college preparation, or something entirely new, they learn by doing alongside peers who share their interests. Experienced Franklin educators provide the structure and encouragement students need while giving them room to express themselves and recognize just how capable, creative, and talented they are.
Our four-week Featured Programs offer an opportunity to explore a specialized area in greater depth. Session 1 and Session 2 Paths provide shorter, immersive experiences that allow students to pursue established interests or try something unexpected. Every option is built to honor different learning styles and help students turn their interests into meaningful experiences.
The complete Summer 2027 Path lineup will be published on November 1, 2026. We are already excited to continue several of our most outstanding Paths, including Cooking, Robotics, College Application Bootcamp, Theater, and Animal Sciences, along with the highly anticipated return of Forensics.
Animal Sciences
Dive into the captivating world of animal science this summer in our engaging Animal Sciences path! Perfect for animal lovers and aspiring veterinarians, this program explores the fascinating concepts of anthrozoology, husbandry, and animal behavior through hands-on experiences and immersive learning.
Join us for a summer filled with fun, discovery, and hands-on learning in the fascinating realm of animal science. Whether you dream of a career in veterinary medicine, animal training, or wildlife conservation, this track promises to inspire and ignite your passion for all things animal!
Animal Husbandry: Care. Stewardship. Connection.
Work directly with animals to learn about care, health, and sustainable farm practices. Through guided routines and lessons, students develop empathy, responsibility, and an appreciation for the connection between people, animals, and the environment. Offered mornings, weeks one and two or weeks three and four.
Farm Entrepreneurships: From Seed to Success. Combine creativity, problem-solving, and innovation to explore how farms function as sustainable enterprises. Offered mornings, weeks one and two or weeks three and four.
Marine Wildlife: Explore. Protect. Discover. Combine creativity, problem-solving, and innovation to explore how farms function as sustainable enterprises. Offered afternoons, weeks three and four.
College Application Bootcamp: Go from High School to Higher Education with Confidence!
Prepare for your future in this dynamic college readiness path designed specifically for students in grades 11 and 12 who are beginning or actively engaged in their college search and application process.
Through interactive workshops and hands-on experiences, participants explore postsecondary options and campus supports, learn about disability rights and self-advocacy, and either begin or continue their college search. Students also prepare for applications by drafting essays, developing strategies, and visiting local colleges. By the end, they’re both prepared and inspired for what comes next.
In addition to exploring personal interest, needs, and desires for that next step, students learn the importance of self-advocacy by simulating the accommodation process, gaining practical skills in navigating support systems within a college setting. This immersive experience will equip students with the knowledge and confidence they need to thrive in their post-secondary education.
Additionally. every Wednesday, students will have the opportunity to go on a college visit to a school in the region, offering firsthand insight into various educational environments and cultures. These visits will empower students to envision their own college journeys and make informed choices about their futures.
Join us on this transformative journey as you take significant steps toward your college readiness and personal growth! Offered afternoons for four weeks.
Cooking
Cooking I: Learn. Taste. Create. Learn the fundamentals of culinary arts in a fun, hands-on environment. Participants practice essential kitchen skills like knife safety, measuring, and cooking techniques while preparing delicious recipes. Along the way, they explore teamwork, creativity, and the joy of sharing food. Offered mornings, weeks one and two. Prerequisite for Cooking II.
Cooking II: Experiment. Refine. Master. Build on foundational kitchen skills and expand culinary creativity. Students explore global cuisines, refine techniques, and learn about presentation and meal planning. Offered mornings, weeks three and four. Must have taken Cooking I.
Robotics: Building and Coding Machines
Step into the exciting world of designing and programming machines. Using hands-on building kits and coding tools, students create robots that move, sense, and respond to their environment. Along the way, they practice problem-solving, teamwork, and creative thinking. By the end of the program, participants understand the fundamentals of robotics and feel inspired to explore technology and engineering more deeply.
Robotics I: Build. Code. Innovate! Explore the fundamentals of designing and programming machines through collaborative robotics projects and creative problem-solving. Offered mornings, weeks one and two; prerequisite for Robotics II.
Robotics II: Build. Code. Innovate! Continue developing skills in engineering and coding through hands-on robotics challenges that combine design and creativity. Offered mornings, weeks three and four; must have taken Robotics I.
Theater
Dive into the captivating world of theater in our Summer Theater Path, where creativity knows no bounds! Whether you’re a seasoned performer or new to the stage, this path offers a supportive environment to express yourself and build confidence. Join us for an unforgettable summer of storytelling, laughter, and artistic growth for two or four weeks!
Musical Theater Lab: Sing, Dance, Act! In this session students will discover the art of performance through music, movement, and storytelling. Students build acting, singing, and dance skills while rehearsing scenes and ensemble numbers for a culminating showcase. Offered afternoons, weeks one and two.
Puppetry and Performance Lab: Create, Animate, Perform!
Enter the imaginative world of puppetry and storytelling. Students design, build, and perform original works using hand, rod, and shadow puppets, bringing characters and narratives to life through collaboration and creativity. Offered mornings, weeks three and four.
Dance / Improvisation: Move. Create. Express.
Discover the freedom of movement through improvisation and creative dance. Participants explore rhythm, storytelling, and collaboration while gaining confidence and body awareness. Offered afternoons, weeks three and four.
Building Connection and Independence Every Day
Sample Schedule and Weekend Activities
The schedule is thoughtfully arranged to give students the opportunity to meet peers with common interests in the path sessions, while also creating structured and unstructured social opportunities like going to to the movies, or a local ice cream parlor, or participating in on-campus activiites. Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays are reserved for fun activities and longer trips off campus! Check out the PDF below for a sample schedule and some examples of trips that were popular last year!
