Martha's Vineyard Programs

About the Vineyard

Unforgettable Summer Experiences

For 50 years, Martha’s Vineyard has been home to FOCUS Summer Programs. Countless students and leaders have come to programs and had life-changing experiences and friendships. Our 30-acre Study Center, Lambert’s Cove Beach, Uncle Seth’s Pond, and all the Vineyard has to offer are waiting for you. We hope to see you next summer!

Beautiful Location

Exciting Adventures

Lasting Friendships

Exploring Faith

Time to Reflect

Fun-filled Memories

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Why the Vineyard?

With award winning sunsets and refreshing ocean water, the Vineyard offers students a place to explore the island, enjoy great meals, and meet new people, while exploring questions of faith in a relevant way.

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Vineyard Schedule

Each summer, nearly 600 students visit the property for a weekend, a week, or sometimes even longer. Each program takes full advantage of all of the unique opportunities and adventures that the island of Martha’s Vineyard has to offer. Relax on the beaches of Katama, enjoy the local towns, or explore the trails of Cedar Neck. Younger students spend a day sailing on a famous topsail schooner, and older students have opportunities to explore the cliffs of Aquinnah.

All programs listed below take place on Martha’s Vineyard. We also offer several Service and Specialty Programs. All grades are based on the grade the student is currently in (2024-2025 school year).

Full Summer Schedule

Middle School Programs
Our middle school programs offer students completing grades 6-8 a fun week on the Vineyard. Each week is full of adventure, time to relax with friends, and age-appropriate conversations about God, Christianity, and other big life issues.
Middle School Adventure (A & B) Crossroads (A & B)

Middle School Adventure (A & B)

GRADES 6-8
$1,295
MIDDLE SCHOOL ADVENTURE A: JUNE 14-20, 2025
MIDDLE SCHOOL ADVENTURE B: AUGUST 14-20, 2025

This ideal introduction to FOCUS offers an exciting activity each day, including a chartered sail, a bike ride across the island, and a beach trip.

Crossroads

$1,295
CROSSROADS A (Grades 8-9): JUNE 25 – JULY 1, 2025
CROSSROADS B (Grades 7-8): JULY 23-29, 2025

For students looking for a fun week on the vineyard, Crossroads is the ideal program. Students enjoy group activities in the morning and are able to choose from time in town, mini-golf, Lambert’s Cove Beach, and an array of other activities in the afternoon.

Upper School Programs
Our upper school programs offer students completing grades 9-12 a fun week on the Vineyard. Each week is full of adventure, time to relax with friends, and age-appropriate conversations about God, Christianity, and other big life issues.
Crossroads (A & B) Upper School Weeks Kiawah Island Week Internship
Vineyard Service (A & B) Pre-College Weekend First-Time Leader (I, II, & III)

	Crossroads $1,295 CROSSROADS A (Grades 8-9): JUNE 25 – JULY 1, 2025 CROSSROADS B (Grades 7-8): JULY 23-29, 2025 For students looking for a fun week on the vineyard, Crossroads is the ideal program. Students enjoy group activities in the morning and are able to choose from time in town, mini-golf, Lambert’s Cove Beach, and an array of other activities in the afternoon.
	Upper School Weeks GRADES 9-12 $1,195 JUNE WEEK (all areas): JUNE 6-12, 2025 JULY WEEK (all areas): JULY 2-8, 2025 AUGUST WEEK 1 (Washington DC & South): JULY 30 – AUGUST 5, 2025 AUGUST WEEK 2 (Baltimore & North): AUGUST 6-12, 2025 Our upper school programs offer students an exciting week on the Vineyard. Students have the opportunity to enjoy the beaches on the island, explore the towns of Martha’s Vineyard, and relax with friends. A First-Time Discount of $75 is available for students attending their first FOCUS Summer Program.
	Kiawah Island Week GRADES 9-12 $1,195 JULY 22-28, 2025 Come and enjoy the beauty of Kiawah Island, SC on this week-long program. From water activities to visiting Charleston to meeting new friends, the program offers an exciting time on one of the most beautiful parts of the barrier islands.
	Internship* GRADES 10-12 $2,355 JULY 10-21, 2025 This two-week program for returning students combines fun activities with community building experiences and emphasizes learning more about Christianity, serving others, and leadership.
	Vineyard Service (A & B)* GRADES 10-12 $995 VINEYARD SERVICE A: JUNE 12-20, 2025 VINEYARD SERVICE B: AUGUST 12-20, 2025 Join us as we serve behind the scenes during a middle school program, enjoy time together on the Vineyard, and have discussions about service, faith, and community.
	Pre-College Weekend GRADE 12 $540 JUNE 20-23, 2025 A forum for rising college freshmen, designed to help them prepare for the opportunities, challenges, and transitions involved in entering the college setting.
	First-Time Leader (I, II, & III)* GRADE 12 & UP $795 FIRST-TIME LEADER I: JUNE 12-20, 2025 FIRST-TIME LEADER II: JUNE 23 – JULY 1, 2025 FIRST-TIME LEADER III: JULY 21-29, 2025 This is a hands-on leadership training experience that takes place during our Middle School Adventure A, Crossroads A, and Crossroads B programs. Participants receive instruction in practical tasks, as well as training in principles of leadership, while serving and taking on specific responsibilities as part of the leadership team. Please contact your area staff for the First-Time Leader application.

*Admission to these programs is by application only. Please contact your area staff to discuss whether or not a specific program is a good fit for you.

College Programs
For our older returning students, recent high school graduates, and college students, FOCUS offers a variety of programs that encourage faith and leadership development.
Pre-College Weekend First-Time Leader (I, II, & III) College Week Vineyard Staff

	Pre-College Weekend GRADE 12 $540 JUNE 20-23, 2025 A forum for rising college freshmen, designed to help them prepare for the opportunities, challenges, and transitions involved in entering the college setting.
	First-Time Leader (I, II, & III)* GRADE 12 & UP $795 FIRST-TIME LEADER I: JUNE 12-20, 2025 FIRST-TIME LEADER II: JUNE 23 – JULY 1, 2025 FIRST-TIME LEADER III: JULY 21-29, 2025 This is a hands-on leadership training experience that takes place during our Middle School Adventure A, Crossroads A, and Crossroads B programs. Participants receive instruction in practical tasks, as well as training in principles of leadership, while serving and taking on specific responsibilities as part of the leadership team. Please contact your area staff for the First-Time Leader application.
	College Week UNDERGRADUATES $595 MAY 25-31, 2025 Give back by spending a week helping staff prepare our facility for the summer, having fun with other college students, and engaging in interesting talks and discussions about how to be a person of faith in the college context.
	Vineyard Staff* UNDERGRADUATES NO COST TRAINING FOR ALL: MAY 25-31, 2025 (College Week) SESSION 1: JUNE 1 – JULY 8, 2025 SESSION 1: JULY 8 – AUGUST 13, 2025 This five week discipleship program combines real-world elements of work, Christian studies, and life together in community. The program is designed for people who desire to join our summer staff in serving behind the scenes to provide an environment where students can enjoy a summer program. Learn More

*Admission to these programs is by application only. Please contact your area staff to discuss whether or not a specific program is a good fit for you.

More Info

Vineyard Information

In 1973, FOCUS was given the property on Martha’s Vineyard now known as the FOCUS Study Center. Only minutes from Lambert’s Cove Beach, our 30-acre facility offers basketball, biking, tennis, volleyball, swimming, and a host of other outdoor activities. Additionally, each Vineyard program offers a full island experience: from relaxing on the beautiful beach of Katama, to checking out the cliffs of Aquinnah, to exploring Edgartown, Vineyard Haven, and Oak Bluffs, and much more.

At the center of campus, the Lodge serves as the primary place for students to gather for activities, games, foosball, snacks, or just hanging out. Meals are served on the covered porch of the Dining Hall overlooking Uncle Seth’s Pond, a small freshwater lake. Large group gatherings take place each day in the Barn, one of the property’s original buildings. Here, through engaging talks, creatives presentations, and open discussions, our programs offer age-appropriate conversations about God, Christianity, and other big issues.

Grade levels refer to the student’s grade in the 2024-2025 school year. Students may register for only one week-long program. Programs are open to students from all areas unless otherwise specified. Students from all schools are welcome. FOCUS reserves the right to give priority to first-time participants and NAIS school students in cases where programs are oversubscribed.

Click here to register through our online registration portal. If you prefer to mail in your registration or are not able to register online, please contact [email protected].

Program Fees
Program fees cover room and board, direct program expenses, and activities. Transportation to the program is not included.

Scholarships
Program scholarships may be available. If you would like to apply for a scholarship, please fill out this form.

Discounts
First-Time Discounts are available at June Week, July Week, August Week 1, August Week 2, and Kiawah Island Week for students who have never attended a FOCUS Summer Program.

Payment
Program fees are due at the time of registration. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Credit cards are automatically processed online. Checks can be made payable to FOCUS Programs Office, PO Box 1027, New Canaan, CT 06840. If you have been approved for a scholarship, please select that option on the payment page of the online registration. If you would like to set up a payment plan, please select the four month payment plan option. Partial payment can be made by logging into your account and clicking “View Details”.

Cancellation Policy
Our cancellation and refund policy is as follows: full refund with more than 15 days notice; no refund within a 15-day period of the start of the program, except in the case of an emergency. If for any reason you are not accepted into a specialty program to which you applied, we will refund the full program fee. Group travel is refundable at the discretion of the Area Director or the Director of National Programs.

Please note that this policy applies to our Vineyard programs. Off-site programs have individual cancellation policies.

Medical and Travel Forms will be made available to fill out online on April 15. To fill out the follow-up forms you will need your child’s insurance information and travel plans. For travel guidelines for FOCUS programs on Martha’s Vineyard, please visit the travel section of our website.

Directions:
1. Please follow this link to log back into your account.
2. Select “View Details” under the appropriate season.
3. Under forms, please fill out and submit the “Student Medical Form and Waiver”, “Travel Form”, and any additional required forms for your child.

NOTE: If your son or daughter participated in a previous FOCUS program, you will still need to submit a new medical form online.
If you are unable to fill out the medical and travel forms online, please contact [email protected].

Suggested Packing List

Appropriate clothing for outdoor play and activities
A sweater and/or sweatshirt
Light-weight jacket or raincoat
Long pants and possibly a pair of sweatpants
Shorts and/or casual skirts
T-shirts and a couple long-sleeve shirts
One nice or dressy outfit
Sleepwear
Summer shoes (casual sandals or flip-flops)
A pair of tennis or running shoes
Adequate socks and underwear for the week
Bathing suit(s) — 1 or 2
A set of single bed sheets or sleeping bag (Pillow, pillowcase and blanket are provided)
Bath towel and wash cloth
Beach towel
Toiletries
For Middle School Adventure A and B, please pack a white t-shirt that can get dirty.

Please note that students will be unable to do laundry.

Other Suggestions

Travel clock or sports watch
Camera
Flashlight
Tennis racquet, lacrosse stick, basketball, or other athletic equipment
Notebook, sketchbook, or journal
Guitar, if you’d like to play or learn, or other musical instruments
Spending money for optional activities, snacks, trips to town for souvenirs and shopping, etc.
FOCUS has discounted books available for purchase ($5-15). Other optional expenses may include:
$10 for ice cream or a snack, $15 for mini golf, $25-40 for a shirt, shopping at local boutiques, etc.
Note: Many Martha’s Vineyard businesses are cash only, and mobile pay is not an option,
particularly at programs where phones and smart watches are collected.

Please Do NOT Bring

The FOCUS Study Center and all other FOCUS rental facilities are alcohol, tobacco, and drug free campuses. To that end, we ask that you do not bring alcohol, tobacco products, marijuana, illegal drugs, or drug paraphernalia (including electronic smoking devices, vaporizers, e-cigarettes, Juuls, etc.).
The FOCUS Study Center and all other FOCUS rental facilities are peanut/tree nut free campuses. Please do not bring any food containing peanuts or tree nuts.
Speakers, computers, iPads, tablets, or other devices that stream videos.
Cell phones, smart watches, and other such devices will be collected at the beginning of the program.

If anyone is found with such items, they will either be confiscated for the remainder of the program, or (in the case of alcohol, tobacco products, marijuana, illegal drugs, or drug paraphernalia) may result in the student being sent home early. Please note that FOCUS is not responsible for lost or stolen items during the program.

Cell Phone Policy

Cell phones are not permitted at our upper school and middle school programs. This includes the following programs: Middle School Adventure (A & B), Crossroads (A & B), June Week, July Week, August Week 1, August Week 2, Kiawah Island Week, and Rocky Mountain Expedition. Phones, smart watches, and other such devices will be collected upon arrival and returned at the end of the program.

Cell phones are permitted at our college programs and at other select programs. This includes the following programs: Internship, Vineyard Service (A & B), Pre-College Weekend, First-Time Leader (I, II, & III), and College Week. Please be aware that cell coverage on the Vineyard is variable. The use of cell phones is limited and phones must be turned off in the evenings.

During the program, you can contact FOCUS staff and students in a couple of ways. To leave a message for your child, please call the FOCUS Study Center Office: (508) 693-1359 or send an email with your child’s name in the subject line to [email protected].

Contact Information

To leave a message for your child, please call the FOCUS Study Center Office: (508) 693-1359 or send an email with your child’s name in the subject line to [email protected].

Off-Season Amenities

2 Cottages (24 People)
Year-Round Dormitory (48 People)
Dining Hall (Seats 90)
Meeting Hall (Fits 100)
Outdoor Chapel
Audio/Visual Equipment
Wireless Internet
Vehicles available

Activities (On Property)

Beach Volleyball
Tennis Courts
Basketball Court
Lakefront access (Kayaks, Paddleboards)
Bikes
Lawn games
Access to Lambert’s Cove Beach (3/4 mile)

Island Activities (Off Property)

Beaches
Sailing
Miles of biking trails
Shopping and dining
Arts (galleries, etc.)

Programs Registration Contact Information (Year-Round):
[email protected]
(203) 505-7522
PO Box 1027
New Canaan, CT 06840

Martha’s Vineyard Programs Contact Information (June to August):
[email protected]
(508) 693-1359

Mailing Address (via USPS):
FOCUS Study Center
450 Lambert’s Cove Rd.
Vineyard Haven, MA 02568

Mailing Address (via UPS, FedEx, or other shippers):
FOCUS Study Center
450 Lambert’s Cove Rd.
West Tisbury, MA 02575

Travel Information

Students should plan on arriving between 2:00 pm & 5:00 pm on the day the program begins (arrival day), and departing between 9:00 am & 12:00 pm on the day the program ends (departure day). FOCUS is able to pick up students at the Martha’s Vineyard Airport and the Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven ferry docks. Below are four different ways for students to get to the FOCUS property.

Please do not make any travel plans until you have received the acceptance email (not just the submission confirmation email).

Area Travel

Your local FOCUS staff may organize group transportation. Even if group travel plans are not being arranged, your local FOCUS staff is an excellent resource, as they know the best travel routes from your area.

Ferry

We recommend the following ferry options:
Steamship Authority
Arrival Day: embarking from Woods Hole, MA at 3:45 pm
Departure Day: embarking from Martha’s Vineyard at 9:30 am (arriving into Woods Hole at 10:15 am)
Seastreak (also called New England Fast Ferry)
Arrival Day: embarking from New Bedford, MA at 3:00 pm
Departure Day: embarking from Martha’s Vineyard at 9:30 am (arriving into New Bedford at 10:20 am)

We can also pick up at other ferry docks and times. Other ferry options include:
Steamship Authority
Departs from Woods Hole, MA and Hyannis, MA and arrives at Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs ferry docks depending on what time of day you depart. Bus service to the Steamship Authority ferry dock in Wood’s Hole, MA is available from New York City and Boston. Please go directly to the Peter Pan website to see the exact times of their bus schedules. Steamship Authority does not require that tickets be purchased in advance for walk-on passengers. Reservations are required for bringing a vehicle over.

Seastreak (also called New England Fast Ferry)
Departs from New Bedford, MA and arrives at either Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs ferry docks depending on the time of day you depart. Tickets are available for purchase online, but Seastreak does not take reservations. Boarding is first come, first served.

Hy-Line Cruises
Departs from Hyannis, MA and arrives at Oak Bluffs ferry dock. Hy-Line Cruises requires that tickets be purchased online in advance.

Island Queen
Departs from Falmouth, MA and arrives at Oak Bluffs ferry dock. Island Queen does not accept reservations in advance, but recommends that passengers arrive at least 45-minutes prior to your departure to ensure space.

Martha’s Vineyard Fast Ferry
Departs from Quonset Point, RI and arrives at Oak Bluffs ferry dock. Martha’s Vineyard Fast Ferry offers a shuttle from the Providence Airport and from the Providence Amtrak Station. More information can be found on their website. Tickets are available for purchase online.

Plane

Students can fly into the Martha’s Vineyard Airport via JetBlue, Cape Air, Delta, and American Airlines. Changing planes may be required at Logan International Airport in Boston or John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

If your child will be traveling as an unaccompanied minor, please contact the FOCUS Study Center (508-693-1359 or [email protected]) the day before your child’s flight to discuss who will pick up your child from the airport.

Car

Students can be dropped off at the FOCUS property. The address is 450 Lamberts Cove Road, West Tisbury, MA. If your child will be arriving by car, please let us know who will be dropping them off and when they will arrive at the property.

Additional Information

For additional transportation information, please visit the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce or this Massachusetts Vacation Guide.

Martha's Vineyard FAQs

Below are a few of our frequently asked Vineyard questions. For a full list of questions, check out our FAQ page.

See All FAQs

What is the FOCUS Study Center?

The FOCUS Study Center is located on 30 acres in West Tisbury, MA on Martha’s Vineyard. Our property is situated on Lambert’s Cove Road, 10 minutes from Vineyard Haven, MA and 15 minutes from Edgartown, MA. The Study Center offers 10 buildings designed for housing, dining, and gathering. Also onsite are the tennis courts, basketball court, sand volleyball, and the ever popular Seth’s Pond.

What does a typical day at the Vineyard look like?

FOCUS is dedicated to making a student’s time with us unforgettable. While every program is slightly different, a typical day may look like the following. Our mornings start each day at 8:30am with breakfast, followed by a time for personal reflection, free time, a morning meeting, small group discussions, and a camp wide game or activity. Lunch is followed by afternoon activities which take advantage of all the island has to offer. Afternoon activities can include anything from swimming in the pond, going to Lambert’s Cove Beach, a bike ride to Edgartown, playing famous FOCUS games, sailing off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, going on a hike, seeing the cliffs at Aquinnah, or having a foosball tournament. This is a time for students to choose what they want to do from each days’ offerings. Everyone meets back at the property by 4pm for “tea time” – a delicious snack. Students then have free time or can attend optional special sessions about culturally relevant topics. Another camp wide activity will follow dinner, then evening meeting, “coffee house” (another snack and hang out time), and back to the cabins for cabin time before a 10:30pm lights out. Morning and evening meetings are for the whole program and include a variety of elements including a fun game or icebreaker, music and singing (both familiar and new songs), a personal story from a leader, and a brief time of teaching on the Christian faith.

Where do the students stay?

Housing is provided in two dormitories located on opposite sides of the property. Our girls stay in “The Palace,” while boys are in the upper and lower “Bunk Houses.” The Palace has six cabins that open both into a central hallway and out onto the porch. Bathrooms are accessed through the central hall. Each room houses 4-6 students and 1-2 leaders. There are four cabins in each of the bunk houses. (The upper and lower bunk houses are adjacent.) Each cabin opens to both the front and rear side of the porch. Each room houses 3-6 students and 1-2 leaders. The “Barn-Ex” is a separate cabin that is used for additional housing at larger programs. It is located near the middle of campus and is a favorite among those who have had the privilege of staying there. In the spirit of the Vineyard, all housing has both indoor and outdoor private showers, fans, and screened doors.

Summer Programs

Join Us for One of Our Service or Specialty Programs!

Find Out More Full Summer Schedule

Summer Programs