Summer Programs

Our program fee covers everything—all activity choices, events, trips, meals, camp shirt, backpack, and water bottle. There are no extra charges; campers do not need snacks, care packages, or even personal spending money. 

Communication includes 24-hour access to office staff via phone. Because we want our counselors to be focused on caring for participants, we do not share contact information for all staff members. Regular updates are posted on our social channels, and parents receive access to online photo galleries that give a virtual look at what we are doing and where we are going. Campers are encouraged to write letters home that are mailed or sent via email.

Our campus features more than 300 acres of expansive athletic fields, wildlife habitat areas, farmland, and state-of-the-art facilities. Academic buildings include modern science labs and study areas.

Displaying an affection for the arts, Mercersburg Academy’s Burgin Center for the Arts houses spaces for music, dance, theatre, and visual and fine arts. A two-story atrium, a studio theatre, a chorale room, and a recital hall are just a few features.

The Goldthorpe Athletic Complex includes Nolde Gym, the Hale Field House, and the Lloyd Aquatic Center. These spaces contain seven basketball courts, four tennis courts, an indoor track, fitness center, squash courts, wrestling room, and Olympic-size pool and diving area. Additionally, the Smoyer Tennis Center features 14 outdoor courts and is home to our tennis program.

Choosing an overnight program brings excitement and concerns, particularly if the choice involves a first-time experience or a new location. Overnight experiences offer young people multiple opportunities to develop their identity both individually and socially, to gain personal responsibility, and to increase their self-esteem through independent thoughts and actions.

All Mercersburg Summer Programs participants stay in modern dormitories complete with air conditioning, carpeted hallways, tiled bathrooms, and private shower areas. Counselors and other staff live in adjacent rooms, where they place an emphasis on respect, courtesy, and consideration.

All of our adventures are supervised to varying degrees. Young people need the opportunity to succeed and even to struggle, with the knowledge that they are tackling challenges within a supportive environment.

Safety is our priority at all times. Our campus is patrolled 24 hours a day by campus safety personnel, access to dormitories is limited to summer participants, and all summer staff are required to receive full state and federal clearances as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Not only is our staff certified in CPR/AED, many also have first aid training.

Our on-campus Rutherford Health and Wellness Center is managed by a team of registered nurses, and we work closely with a local family practice for campers who may need additional care. There is also a full-time health services assistant available 24 hours a day.

Campers at Mercersburg Summer Programs enjoy some of the best food imaginable. While our menu is varied, our food is nutritiously balanced and our chefs are very sensitive to alternative dietary needs and preferences. All meals include a main entree, side dishes, salad/sandwich bar, a vegetarian option, and a fruit station.

Around here, we understand that great summer staff makes for great summer programs. Our staff are inventive, creative, and responsible people who truly love to work with kids. Our instructors—many of whom are current Mercersburg Academy faculty—are not only experts in their fields, but also experts at making learning fun. Mercersburg Summer counselors are typically college students or youthful teachers who have a zest for working with kids.

Our participant-to-staff ratio ensures that the staff can direct all of their focus on the unique needs and development of self-esteem and self-confidence in every camper. Staff preparation includes CPR/AED training, safety management, and interpersonal skills focused on dealing with homesickness and other camper issues. We put a special focus on training to ensure that all staff are prepared to handle anything that comes their way.