HISTORY/BACKGROUND
Summer on the Hill is Greenhill’s summer camp program which promotes academic, athletic and artistic excellence.
27 years ago, when the program began, it was a small paper-based system. It has since expanded to include a wide-range of camps for different age groups, including children as young as four years old.
When former Director of Summer Programs Barbara Johnson took over, she expanded the program.
“Barbara and her colleagues implemented a lot of camps. As well as using Senior Systems, which was our operating system, to schedule a whole array of different camps. So, it opened a lot of avenues for kids to come and do different things,” said Director of Summer Programs Johnny Thompson.
When Johnson retired, Vicki Van Liew came in as the new Director of Summer Programs.
“So really, that Barbara Johnson era and then expanding into Vicki Van Liew is when the program really started to grow,” said Thompson.
LEADERSHIP SHIFT
When Van Liew retired and the position of Director of Summer Programs became available, it created an opportunity for Thompson to transition from his job in the admissions office to overseeing an entire department.
“After working here for so many years, this is what I’ve been looking for,” Thompson said. “And so, I felt this was a good step.”
Thompson emphasized his excitement to step into his new and different role.
“I’ve been part of this campus for 30 years, but it’s a new challenge, and you have to keep challenging yourself to keep life interesting,” said Thompson.
PATHWAY TO ADMISSIONS
The program attracts both Greenhill students and non-Greenhill kids across the metroplex. Summer on the Hill not only provides kids and parents with summer activities, but also serves as a key admission tool, Thompson says.
“I look at Summer on the Hill as an extension of the admission office because two-thirds of the students that attend Summer on the Hill are non-Greenhill students,” said Thompson.
By bringing in students from outside of Greenhill, the program goes beyond summer activities, offering a chance to showcase the school’s environment and values to prospective families.
“By getting non-Greenhill students on campus, we’re essentially giving them a taste of what it’s like to be a part of our community,” Thompson said. “It’s an opportunity for families to see if Greenhill could be the right fit for them.”
HARRY POTTER CAMP
At Summer on the Hill, people can find a wide variety of camps in various fields.
Upper School English Teacher and Senior Class Dean Blake Harkey holds a Harry Potter themed camp each summer. The camp has historically held two two-week sessions during the summer
“It’s so whimsical, you know, it’s just such a nice departure from what I normally do here,” said Harkey.
Harry Potter camp consists of many Harry Potter themed activities including Potions Day, Quidditch Day and a Defense Against the Dark Arts Day. These immersive activities lead up to the Tri Wizard Tournament, which is a grand finale to each session.
The daily themes, interactive activities and creative projects allow the campers to immerse themselves in the Harry Potter universe in a fun and imaginative way, providing a learning experience that is different from the typical classroom setting.
Summer on the Hill provides a diverse offering of camps to ensure there is something for everyone. From creative explorations like Harry Potter camp to sports clinics and a Lemonade Entrepreneur workshop, the summer camp program caters to a wide range of interests and passions. Each camp is designed to engage, inspire and give participants a taste of the Greenhill experience.
“I think we have one of the largest, most robust programs here, and I’m happy to be able to contribute to it,” said Thompson.
