Porter's Summer Programs are for girls entering grades 7 through 10.

The Sarah Porter Leadership Institute Level 1 offers girls opportunities to learn, practice and hone the necessary skills to be a strong female leader. Each day, girls will encounter exciting challenges to facilitate their discovery of their personal leadership styles. Leadership activities will focus on problem solving, quick thinking, teamwork and trust. A panel on civic leadership teaches the value of social awareness, while incredible guest speakers, a self-defense class, community service and a visit to a ropes course provide forums for personal reflection and goal setting. The program provides a comprehensive experience addressing all areas of leadership, including compassion, courage, confidence and maturity.

Girls who have attended the Sarah Porter Leadership Institute Level 1 will gain more extensive leadership experience in the Sarah Porter Leadership Institute Level 2. Girls will practice the communication and conflict resolution strategies learned during their participation in the Sarah Porter Leadership Institute Level 1. The program includes an off campus two-night camping and white-water rafting trip with girls participating both as team members and leaders as they take the responsibility for setting up camp, preparing meals and completing projects that require the focused work of a team. They will continue to develop their leadership skills serving the larger community through service work in the Hartford area.

Porter's Junior Model U.N. is an exciting program designed to teach students about civics, current events, effective communication, and global perspectives through engaging and interactive lessons and exercises. The experience will involve on-campus sessions and speakers, and will culminate in a simulation of the United Nations. Participants will enjoy making new friends as they enhance their research, public speaking, policy writing, and collaborative skills in preparation of a two-day Model UN-style conference at Porter’s. Porter's Junior Model U.N. includes an exciting full-day trip to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, and students will leave the program with new passion for and knowledge about our dynamic and global world.

Porter’s STEAM Institute will incorporate concepts of Art and Design into the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The interdisciplinary model of STEM+Art, which is STEAM, fosters innovative thinking for 21st century learning. Each one-week session engages girls in studying STEM concepts, encouraging them to work collaboratively to understand complex problems and inspiring them to develop creative and artistic solutions.

For more information, please contact the Summer Programs Office below.