Summer Programs

Service & Specialty Programs

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Explore Our Programs

In addition to the week-long programs on Martha’s Vineyard, FOCUS offers several adventure, service, and leadership development programs. Please note that 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.

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Service & Specialty Programs

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Service & Specialty Information

All grades are based on the grade the student is currently in (2023-2024 school year).

Program Overview
Application Details
Registration Details
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Rocky Mountain Expedition

  • Grades 9-12
  • $3,665
  • July 1-12, 2024

Come and experience the adventure and beauty of the Colorado Rocky Mountains! This 12-day adventure promises an array of outdoor activities, including fly fishing on the Swan River, whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River through Browns Canyon, rock climbing and rappelling the surrounding mountains of Buena Vista, and hiking and camping in some of the most beautiful parts of the world.

Internship

  • Grades 10-12
  • $2,220
  • July 8-19, 2024

This two-week program for returning students combines fun activities with community building experiences and emphasizes learning more about Christianity, serving others, and leadership.

First-Time Leader (A & X)

  • Grades 12 & up
  • $750
  • First-Time Leader A: June 16-24, 2024
  • First-Time Leader X: June 28 – July 6, 2024

This is a hands-on leadership training experience that takes place during our Middle School Adventure A and Crossroads 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.

Kiawah Island Week

  • Grades 9-12
  • $1,125
  • June 24-30, 2024

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.

Vineyard Service (A & B)

  • Grades 10-12
  • $960
  • Vineyard Service A: June 16-24, 2024
  • Vineyard Service B: August 17-24, 2024

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.

Vineyard Staff

  • Undergraduates
  • Paid position
  • May 27 – August 15, 2024

Vineyard Staff is a discipleship program that combines the real-life elements of work at FOCUS, biblical studies and nurture, and the support of a Christian community. The program is designed for people who are deeply committed to Christ and desire to join our staff in providing an environment where volunteers and students can experience Christ.

Admission to our Service & Specialty Programs is by application only. Applications are submitted through the online registration portal. Please log in or create an account under the parent’s name. Note: the application form must be filled out by the student applying for the program.

If you have questions about whether or not a specific program may be a good fit for you, please contact your area staff.

Application programs: Vineyard Service (A & B), and First-Time Leader (A & X).

First-Time Leader (A & X) Applications are not available through the same link. Please contact your area staff for more information about how to apply.

Deadlines
The deadlines for receiving applications for all Service & Specialty Programs are November 1, December 4, January 15, and February 15. Acceptance emails will be sent November 15, December 20, January 31, and February 29 respectively. After four application rounds, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as space is available.

Due to the increased number of applications received in recent years, you may be placed on a waiting list. On May 1, we will begin to notify applicants who have been placed on the waiting list whether we will be able to admit them into the program on a space available basis. We regret the fact that we may not be able to admit every qualified applicant into the program this year.

Grade levels refer to the student’s grade in the 2023-2024 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 program fee 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 of 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].

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) 693-1359Mailing 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

Travel details vary by program. Additional travel information will be included in the follow up email upon acceptance into the program.

Please do not make any travel plans until you have received a formal acceptance email.

Rocky Mountain Expedition

Please plan on arriving at the Denver airport before 3:00pm on the day the program begins (arrival day), and departing after 1:00pm on the day the program ends (departure day). FOCUS will meet students at the Denver airport before traveling together as a group to our cabin in Buena Vista. Due to the distance from the airport, we are unable to accommodate flights outside of these time constraints.

Kiawah Island Week

Students may be dropped off at the retreat center or fly into the Charleston airport.

Students arriving by car should be dropped off at St. Christopher’s Retreat Center (2810 Seabrook Island Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455) between 3:00pm and 5:00pm on June 24, 2024 and picked up between 9:00am and 11:00am on June 30, 2024.

Students arriving by plane should schedule flights to arrive at the Charleston airport before 4:00pm on June 24, 2024, and departing after 12:00pm on June 30, 2024. FOCUS will meet students at the Charleston airport before traveling together as a group to the retreat center on Seabrook Island. Due to the distance from the airport, we are unable to accommodate flights outside of these time constraints

Internship, Vineyard Service (A & B), and First-Time Leader (A & X)

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.

Check out the Martha’s Vineyard page for more information on travel guidelines.

Summer Programs

Join Us for a Summer Program on the Vineyard!

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