Collegiate Summer at St. Joseph Collegiate campers get to work in the computer learning center. (Patrick McPartland/Managing Editor)

KENMORE — By late June, students, and sometimes faculty, are anxious for that final bell to ring on the last day before summer recess. But just a few days later, the St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute campus comes alive again as summer programs begin for boys of all ages. The school prides itself on the quality of the programs it offers each year, and all are led by St. Joe's faculty and coaches.  

Collegiate Summer is the lengthiest program at four weeks in total, giving young men entering eighth grade in the fall a chance to experience St. Joe's up close. Part of the goal of the program is to help these young men avoid "summer slide" by offering a few hours of engaging academics. The rest of the day is spent in recreational activities while the boys form friendships with others the same age from all over Western New York. Simply put, the campers rave about their experience.

At the same time, boys can be enrolled in one of nine unique sports camps offered by the coaches at St. Joe's. New this year is a sports performance camp offered by the school's strength and conditioning partner, IMPACT Sports Performance of Buffalo. The expert trainers will guide young athletes through programs implemented currently at the high school to keep student-athletes healthy while increasing their strength and skills. The age requirements vary among the nine sports camp offerings, but there is an opportunity for boys from grades two to 12.

And in 2017, St. Joe's launched Innovation Camp, open to boys entering seventh and eighth grades. Each day, campers explored a different technology. Led by St. Joe's director of technology, the campers experienced game coding, virtual reality, drone flying, augmented reality, robotics and more. Alumni working in various tech fields were also on hand each day to work with the campers and elevate the experience. The camp sold out very quickly, so the school is offering two sessions this year.

For more information visit www.sjci.com/admissions.