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Santa Barbara Summer CAMPus 14 Days
Courses Offered In:
Get offline and in-person by spending the perfect summer on the California Coast. Santa Barbara features small-town charm, miles of beaches and the beauty of the surrounding mountains at your fingertips. This stay in place program gives teens a chance to choose their schedule from a wide selection of enriching courses, personal interest and fun recreation.
This is the 14-day version of this high school summer program on the campus of Westmont College. A longer 21-day and version is available.
Experience college life with the balance of engaging courses, personal interest activities, free time and social interaction.
Receive a certificate of completion for your courses. Letters of recommendation are also available.
All classes on this program are private to Westcoast Connection.
Courses taught by experienced university-level faculty, instructors, and local professionals.
Stay on-campus in a residence at Westmont College.
Access to the fitness facility, sports fields, basketball, tennis courts and pool.
You’ll enjoy a variety of options catered on campus with 3 meals a day from Monday to Friday and breakfast & dinner on weekends.
Travel by passenger van or school bus around Santa Barbara.
Westmont College Campus
Enjoy Westmont College’s incredible campus situated in one of the most beautiful beachfront cities in the world surrounded by picturesque mountains.
Westmont Residence
The Armington residence features individual twin beds, two desks, two closets, shared bathrooms, and Wi-Fi. This convenient campus location is close to everything – the dining hall, fitness center, pool, classrooms, and athletic fields.
Athletic Facilities, Pool, Basketball & Tennis Courts
Stay active with complimentary access to Westmont’s facilities. Enjoy the weight training equipment and cardio machines at the Weight and Fitness Center . Refresh in the pool or break a sweat playing basketball, volleyball, tennis or soccer.
Organized Sports & Games
Our sports coordinator organizes games of all kinds outside of class time. Play a game of ultimate Frisbee, tennis, soccer, football or basketball.
Positive Social Experience
This program is designed to give you a taste of the excitement and independence you will experience in college. Just like in college, you will be part of a large group of students, live in a residence, and have your choice of classes and personal interest activities. And like in college, you will enjoy a warm, family environment within your residence where you enjoy many opportunities to socialize with other students.
Business: Entrepreneurship Morning
This intensive hands-on entrepreneurship program focuses on all facets of business plan development. Learn to assess the competitive entrepreneurial environment, develop a venture concept and growth strategies, create marketing approaches, build a cohesive management team, launch operations and develop financial projections. During the program, participants work as a team to create a business and on the final day, each team presents their business plan and participates in a friendly “shark tank” type competition.
International Business and World Markets Afternoon
Examine the dynamic world of international business, globalization and how global markets work. You will learn about the international flow of goods and services, trade agreements, investment, foreign currency and regulation. You’ll be introduced to business problems and work on strategies to resolve them in the context of current events, both in the U.S. and abroad.
Social Media Marketing Morning
This course looks at the channels of marketing, advertising and communication that make up social media platforms, exploring how these tools fit into a company’s integrated marketing strategy. Using real-world examples from large corporations and small businesses, students explore how marketing professionals embrace online social networks, user-generated content and content sharing to create brand awareness. Learn tips and techniques to successfully leverage your own social media marketing.
Psychology of Human Behavior Morning
This course introduces basic concepts in psychology including behavioral, cognitive and clinical psychology. Through the use of discussion, film and in-class activities, explore topics such as how to improve emotional intelligence, limitations in perception, cognitive distortions and how to improve memory. Other topics included are mental illness, stereotyping and prejudice.
Mastering Public Speaking Morning
This hands-on course of workshops helps students become comfortable, confident and masterful presenters. The principles presented apply to business settings as well as other activities in daily life. Learn to focus, prepare and deliver a presentation. Students make brief presentations, receive constructive feedback and personal coaching to help them overcome emotional and mental blocks.
Emotional Intelligence and Professional Communication Skills Afternoon
What better way to prepare you for college and a future career than to improve your interpersonal and professional communication skills? This course allows you to develop those skills and increase your performance. Case studies include conflict management, nonverbal communication and effective listening through experiential exercises and discussions. Increase your understanding of emotional intelligence and use this ability to guide your thinking and behavior. Learn how to define personal goals and how to leverage your skills, knowledge and experience to create success in new situations.
Social Justice & Leadership Forum Afternoon
Climate change, bans on religious freedoms, racial injustice, gender-based violence… the list of human rights violations, and social and ecological injustices are seemingly endless in the world around us. Join this forum on social justice and human rights where we will explore a number of topics through a systems thinking lens to examine why and how unequal distributions of rights and freedoms manifest. We will also consider our personal identities, positions and power within these systems challenging our ideas of how to make positive social change in the world in which we live. This forum will involve participant discussion.
Community Service: Santa Barbara Morning
Perform meaningful service in the communities in and around Santa Barbara. You will work on a variety of projects, ranging from environmental sustainability, to organizing donations at the LA Food Bank; projects are finalized in May. A letter recognizing 16 hours of service is issued after the summer. Westcoast Connection is a Certifying Organization for the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
Digital Photography Morning Afternoon
For anyone with a passion for photography, no matter your level, learn about digital cameras (shutter speed, aperture, ISO, camera modes) and the basics of composition (lighting, exposure, framing, focus and blur).
* A DSLR or bridge camera with manual functions having at least a 12.0 megapixel sensor is required.
Cooking Morning
From learning basic knife skills to creating succulent dishes, if you are a foodie, this course is for you! Whether you’re creating gourmet entrées, delicious desserts or learning quick dishes to whip up in a dorm room for college, this course is guaranteed to make you salivate. Our expert chef will help you develop technical skills in the kitchen in this hands-on culinary experience, where each class focuses on a different theme.
* A supplementary fee of $195 applies.
Health & Fitness Morning Afternoon
Focus on your health and fitness as you follow your own independent workout regime or join in with the group. Learn to be active and listen to your body. From running, yoga, HIIT, strength training and more, you’ll complete challenges focused on helping you live a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
Surfing Morning Afternoon
Want to hang ten and ride the waves like a pro? Head to the beach in Santa Barbara where you learn how to improve balance and technique and perfect your form in no time. All levels of ability are welcome.
* A supplementary fee of $195 applies.
Golf Afternoon
Improve your golf game. With time split between professional instruction and play you’ll be able to focus on improving your short game, driving, approach shots and putting. You will have access to the driving range and be able to play a round before dinner.
* A supplementary fee of $195 applies.
During your stay we’ll have the opportunity to discover the beauty and excitement that Santa Barbara has to offer including:
Adventure
There’s a lot to be “wow”ed about in Santa Barbara as adventures await you. Head out sea kayaking, enjoy a catamaran cruise, try stand up paddleboarding, hang ten in your surf lesson, cycle by the beach on your 2 or 4-person surrey biking and if that’s not enough, challenge yourself at the ropes course and zipline.
Beaches
With Butterfly Beach and East Beach so close, you can take a walk along the sand, catch a sunrise, picnic, play volleyball, or just relax. We’ll offer excursions to other popular beaches which may include Hammond's, Hendry's, and Leadbetter. Just to the south, Rincon offers its famous surf and to the north, several state parks boast of their beautiful beaches.
Take a Hike (we mean it!)
There are many hiking trails just an easy walk from campus. Cold Springs Trail and Tangerine Falls are accessible above Page Hall. These trails wind into the hills and open up to a breathtaking aerial view of the ocean and Santa Barbara far below. Other trails include Inspiration Point, Nojoqui Falls, and Porter Trail.
State Street
There’s plenty to see and experience in downtown. From the beautiful buildings, to the delectable eateries, to the cute shops and boutiques, palm-lined State Street never disappoints. Will you sip smoothies at Blenders or grab a burger at Eureka? Maybe it’s ice cream at McConnell’s? Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it here.
Choosing the right college for your academic and personal interests is the first step in the application process. It requires careful research and self-evaluation. This interactive workshop provides you with tools and resources to help you develop a list of criteria integral in choosing appropriate colleges. Explore the basic elements of the college application and learn the ins and outs of the Common Application. Develop your academic/co-curricular profile, learn how to craft a high caliber application and set up your timeline for completion of applications, supplements and essays.
Explore different essay topics and strategies to write a proper admission essay that distinguishes you. As one of the top qualitative measures in the admissions process, your personal essay is an integral part of your application. As a critical aspect of your first impression to an admissions officer, the essay is an opportunity for you to share your stories, adding greater depth and dimension to your application. This workshop includes an overview of fundamental writing skills using real examples of college essays. The focus is on practical tips for writing a great college essay, including finding your voice, brainstorming essay ideas, understanding the prompts, focusing on a theme and the importance of editing and proofreading.
Choose a morning and afternoon course or activity. Your personal schedule and lunch time may vary based on your choices.
Flight to California
As a participant on this program, you may fly on our chaperoned flight from the New York area to Los Angeles. Our leaders greet you at the airport and are with you from check-in onward. For the many travelers from outside the New York area, you may fly to Los Angeles or Santa Barbara and be greeted upon arrival and for flights in designated times, enjoy complimentary transfer from the airport to our residence. If you prefer, you may be dropped off directly at our residence and meet your staff there.
Return Flight Home from California
For the 14-day program return from Los Angeles or Santa Barbara, for flights in designated times, we provide airport transfer and our leaders help you to check in and remain in the airport until flights have departed. You may also arrange to be picked up at the residence if you prefer.
Food & Meals
A big part of your success depends on how well you eat. We are proud of the fact that year after year we are complimented for our quality, quantity, and choice of food! Monday to Friday you will enjoy a variety of options catered on campus (3 meals a day). On weekends breakfast and dinner is included and lunch will be your choice in town or by the beach. Food options are varied and plentiful. The Westmont dining hall features a different menu every night.
We have satisfied the choosiest of eaters and gladly accommodate most special dietary requests including vegetarian, anaphylactic food allergies, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and kosher style. We welcome discussing your individual requirements with you and have extensive experience in this area.
Laundry
You will only need one week’s worth of clothing as outlined in the packing list that will be sent to you prior to departure. We have the opportunity to do laundry at your convenience in our residence hall.
What’s Included
Included in your program tuition is all lodging, breakfast and dinner daily, recreation & entertainment listed, day and weekend excursions, application fee, use of Westmont athletic facilities, Wi-Fi in residence, campus identification fee, courses (supplementary fees may apply for some) airport transfers in designated times, gratuities & taxes.
Not included is transportation to and from the program, lunches Saturday and Sunday, snacks, personal spending money for souvenirs, and laundry. We also make available optional travel insurance that is not included, but highly recommended.
Please contact us with any questions. We are happy to hear from you!
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