Many of us remember summer camp with great fondness: a break in the routine, making new friends, adventuring out, and maybe getting our first taste of independence. At HPA, summertime brings all of this and more in a place that inspires connection and growth.
“I got to meet so many nice people from around the world! I also had an amazing experience learning about Hawaiian culture, and it really stuck with me.”
This year, across eight weeks of programming for kids from ages 5-17, Summer at HPA is ready to serve good times, spirited fellowship, and a chance to learn, make, and do!
“Summer at HPA covers a lot of ground,” says Patty Walker, Director of Summer Programming. “And we have students join us from across the continental U.S. and all over the world!” Even for day camps, oftentimes HPA alums or visitors will spend a week or more on the island, and their children participate in the day camp to get a taste of HPA and a steady slate of fun. “Many families come year after year,” she notes. “We have gotten to know some of the most wonderful people!”
The HPA summer experience spans eight weeks, with three primary tracks for potential campers: Ka Makani Keiki Camp, Sports and Enrichment Day Camps, and Summer Academies.
Ka Makani Keiki Camp
Ka Makani Keiki Camp is a day camp for kids ages 5-10. This year, there are 1-week sessions offered every week from June 17 – July 26. With weekly themes and a dedicated field trip every Friday, this camp has long days full of aloha and action.
Sports and Enrichment Day Camps
Baseball, basketball, equestrian camp, and Summer Swim Academy are the primary sports offerings, while Enrichment Camps span the gamut of possible interests, from scuba certification and driver education to designing and building a custom skateboard. Most of these camps serve students between the ages of 8-17, with some offerings for younger campers as well.
Summer Academies
This camp is both its own perfectly encapsulated summer experience as well as a potential entrée for boarding life at HPA. Summer Academies give students an opportunity to dive deep into an area of passion, with academy cohorts choosing to hone in on creative writing, the arts, sustainability, marine explorations, or English language learning. Boarding participants live in HPA’s residence halls with Resident Advisors, many of whom are HPA graduates. Game nights, campfires on Anna’s field, and weekend treks to lush rainforests and Hawai‘i Island’s best beaches fill the off-hours. A truly global experience, Summer Academies attract students from around the island and across the world, with recent participants hailing from Kazakhstan, Korea, Tahiti, Spain, Mexico, Canada, Japan, and beyond. This four-week program for students from ages 11-17 will run this year from June 24-Juy 19, with both day and boarding options.