2026 Summer At Nichols

Summer Programs at Nichols

Summer is a great time to stay active, discover new passions, and create lasting memories and friendships. Come join a Nichols Summer Program to enrich your summer experience.

We offer a wide range of summer programing for all ages. Please return to this website as additional programming will be added for the 2026 Summer Season.

2026 Summer Registration Links

College Office Offerings

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College Application Workshop - Nichols Students Only

August 10^th-13th
9am-11:30am
$425 if paying by credit card
$410 if paying on Nichols student account
Open to Nichols rising Seniors

Does the college application seem overwhelming? Would it be helpful to get a head start before your senior year? Is the idea of working side by side with the college office reassuring?

If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above then this four-day workshop might be for you! We strive to help students move through the applications with intentionality and with as little stress as possible. There is value to planning ahead and getting a jump on the next steps before you begin juggling your senior year filled with friends, academics, athletics, the arts, service opportunities and all the traditions of senior year.

Students engaged in this small group workshop will: complete the common application; finish and have an approved a main essay; review the list of colleges they are applying to ensure balance; create a spreadsheet to track the supplements and requirements for each school they are applying to; and discuss a resume and the activities section of the common application.

Developed and directed by Nichols School Director of College Counseling, Kelly Jorgensen.

Click HERE to register.

***Please note that this program is available to Nichol’s students only.
ACT Content & Strategy Bootcamp

07/27 – 07/31
9am – 12pm
Open to all students preparing for the ACT
$494 if paid by credit card
$475 if paid on Nichols Student Account

Alexis Prep’s ACT Content & Strategy Bootcamp is a 15-hour, structured ACT review intended to prepare students for all fall ACT dates (these dates have not yet been announced, but typically include early September, mid-October, and early December). Our 5-day bootcamp features section-by-section review of key concepts and strategies; proctored, in-class official exam sections to best approximate the test-day experience; in-class question review; and, on the final day of class, a 1.5-hour, truncated, official ACT.

Each class will begin with a review of the most commonly tested concepts that appear throughout a given section of the exam and the recommended approach for that section. Students will then be able to implement the strategies we have introduced as they complete a full, official exam section in simulated testing conditions. We will then conclude each day’s class by breaking down key questions from those official ACT sections to highlight typical examples of what students can expect on test day. Throughout the class, we will emphasize good test-taking strategy, error minimization techniques, and pattern recognition skills. Students will not be expected to complete homework outside of class hours.

Click 2026 Summer Programs Registration to register for this program.

Instruction provided by Alexis Prep. You can visit their website to learn more about Alexis Peterson https://www.alexisprep.com/

* ACT registration and testing fees are not included in this class registration. Students need to register for the exam separately.
SAT Content & Strategy Bootcamp

08/03-08/07
9am – 12pm
Open to all students preparing for the PSAT or SAT
$494 if paid by credit card
$475 if paid on Nichols student account

Alexis Prep’s SAT Content & Strategy Bootcamp is a 15-hour, structured SAT review intended to prepare students for the August 22, 2026 SAT (and of course, this bootcamp also serves as a comprehensive introduction to the exam for students who plan to prepare for later test dates). Our 5-day bootcamp features section-by-section review of key concepts and strategies; proctored, in-class official exam sections to best approximate the test-day experience; in-class question review; and, on the final day of class, a 1.5-hour, truncated, official practice SAT.

Each class will begin with a review of the most commonly tested concepts that appear throughout a given section of the exam and the recommended approach for that section. Students will then be able to implement the strategies we have introduced as they complete a full, official exam section in simulated testing conditions. We will then conclude each day’s class by breaking down key questions from those official SAT sections to highlight typical examples of what students can expect on test day. Throughout the class, we will emphasize good test-taking strategy, error minimization techniques, and pattern recognition skills. Students will not be expected to complete homework outside of class hours.

Monday, August 10, 2026: 9:00am-12:00pm SAT Reading and Writing 1
Tuesday, August 11, 2026: 9:00am-12:00pm SAT Math 1
Wednesday, August 12, 2026: 9:00am-12:00pm SAT Reading and Writing 2
Thursday, August 13, 2026: 9:00am-12:00pm SAT Math 2
Friday, August 14, 2026: 9:00am-12:00pm General SAT Review

Click 2026 Summer Programs Registration to register for this program.

Instruction provided by Alexis Prep. You can visit their website to learn more about Alexis Peterson https://www.alexisprep.com/

* SAT registration and testing fees are not included in this class registration. Students need to register for the exam separately.

Upper School - For Credit Offerings Nichols Students Only

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Advanced Physics 2B: Astronomy

June 8, 2026 – June 19, 2026 – weekdays
9am-2pm
$519 if paid by credit card
$499 if paid on student account

This course is open to any Nichols student that has finished Advanced 9th grade physics. Students that were in college prep physics can take this course with permission from their instructor

In this course we will build on the foundations we developed in 9th grade to learn about the structure and evolution of the universe. We will learn about the tools and techniques used to study stars and galaxies and explore how we interpret the data collected to learn about the past present and future of the universe.

We will explore these concepts through short readings, lab work, discussions and classwork, all presented in a style consistent with the Advanced Physics course. Students who finish this course will earn an additional 1⁄2 credit of science for their transcript.

Nichols students who successfully complete this course will earn an additional 1⁄2 credit of Science for their transcript. Full Course Syllabus is available from the instructor. Please review the summer attendance and homework policies before registering to take this course.

Click Here To Register

Developed and directed by Nichols Physics teacher, Larry Hiller.
America Since 1968 - The History of Now

June 8 – 26
8:30am – 12pm
Open to Nichols Students Only
$519 if paid by credit card
$499 if paid on student account

Even a quick look at the news shows the American people to be struggling with deep divisions and seemingly endless arguments over such issues as immigration, deportations, healthcare, tariffs, economic inequality, book bans, wars overseas, protests at home, climate change, and movements for racial, gender, and LGBTQ rights. Along the way, you have all grown up in an era shaped by the COVID pandemic, social media, and a series of bitterly divisive elections punctuated by the January 2021 assault on the Capitol. How and why did we as Americans arrive at this point? How can we make sense of this? Where are we headed? The purpose of “America Since 1968: The History of Now” is to answer these fundamental questions through the use of readings, films and TV shows, art, and music (we will listen to a lot of music!) from the last 50 years of American history - an era that includes both the roots of so many of our current arguments and divisions and also some of the most powerful movements for social change in all of American history.

Wondering if this class is for you? Are you sometimes curious, confused, or upset by what you see or hear on the news, but also determined to understand the world around you better? Are you tired of sitting in history classes about the distant past when so much is happening right now? Are you a younger student looking to work on some skills for high school? Or maybe you are a rising junior looking to get a head start on AP US history? If you answered ""yes"" to any of these questions, America Since 1968 is for you.

Click Here To Register

Nichols students who successfully complete this course will earn an additional 1⁄2 credit of History for their transcript. Full Course Syllabus is available from the instructor. Please review the summer attendance and homework policies before registering to take this course.
Pre-AP Geometry

June 15 – July 24
8:30am – 12pm (3.5 hours daily)
Open to Nichols Students Only
Holidays: June 19^th, July 3^rd and July 6^th
$939 if paid by credit card
$899 if paid on student account

This intensive summer geometry course is designed for high school students seeking to strengthen their foundational understanding of geometric concepts and develop rigorous proof- writing skills. Built on five essential big ideas, the course emphasizes that geometry is a logical system grounded in definitions and reasoning, where diagrams suggest relationships but do not prove them. Students will explore how transformations define congruence and similarity, learn to construct proofs as structured explanations rather than rigid formats, and discover the deep connections between algebraic and geometric structures. Through a carefully sequenced curriculum spanning six weeks, students will progress from foundational concepts to advanced topics, building confidence and competence in both computational and conceptual understanding.

The course employs an active learning approach with regular formative assessments (weekly quizzes) and summative evaluations (unit tests and a final exam) to monitor progress and ensure mastery. Students will engage in problem-solving workshops, collaborative reasoning activities, and coordinate geometry applications that bridge abstract geometric thinking with real-world applications. By the end of the course, students will have developed the logical reasoning skills, proof-writing proficiency, and conceptual depth necessary for success in Pre-AP and AP-level mathematics.

Click Here To Register

Nichol’s students who successfully complete this course will earn an additional 1 credit of Math for their transcript. Full Course Syllabus is available from the instructor. Please review the summer attendance and homework policies before registering to take this course.

Robotics Programs

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First Lego League - Middle School Robotics Camp

June 22– June 26 – Weekdays
Open to all students entering grades 5-8
8am-4pm
$260 is paid by credit card
$250 if paid by Nichols Student Account

Join us for this one-week camp where we will design, build and program a five-pound LEGO robot!

This camp is ideal for new students with no robotics experience as well as students who are already on a FIRST Lego League team. Camp activities include; designing new robot configurations, developing programming skills, analyzing video from previous successful teams and brainstorming innovation project ideas for next season.

Current team members will have an opportunity to continue developing and honing their skills and new students will have an opportunity to learn what FLL is all about in a fun and creative environment.

Click Here To Register

Developed and directed by Nichols Robotics Mentors, Larry Hiller
First Tech Challenge - Robotics Camp

July 6 – July 17 - weekdays
8am-3pm
Opent o all students entering grades 7-10
$310 if paid by credit card
$300 if paid on student account

This Camp is designed as an introduction to FTC Robotics. Participants will learn how to understand game objectives and come up with successful game-play strategies. They will learn how to use iterative design to come up with a robot that can execute the game-play strategy. All participants will learn how to use CAD software and will learn how to program robots in Java.

This camp is ideal for students new to FTC and students who want to develop CAD, Mechanical, Electrical, and Programming skills. Several of our older FTC students will be helping to run this camp and pass on what they have learned in this program.

Click Here To Register

Developed and directed by Nichols Robotics Director Larry Hiller.

Upper School Programming - Open To All Students

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Study Skills - Strategies for Success in High School

Aug 10-13
12pm-2pm
Open to all students entering grades 9-10
$238 credit card
$229 student account

Join us for a four-day, skills-based course designed to teach students to plan better, organize, and manage their time. Students will learn these important school skills through high interest mini lessons where they will also be taught note taking, test taking and study techniques, tips for organizing and keeping track of digital files.

The course will also explore how to “get ahead” by planning backward and planning ahead. Moreover, we will spend time navigating the Google suite (Docs, Slides, and Drive). Overall, students will learn to use technological resources as an effective means to study and organize ideas. Other topics will include the culture of extra help here at Nichols and how to be a self-advocate.

Click Here To Register
Writing Across Genres: Workshop for Rising 9th and 10th Graders

Aug 3-6
9:00am – 11:30am
Open to all students entering grades 9-10
$156 credit card
$150 student account

Writing Across Genres is a 4-day (Mon-Thurs) summer writing workshop designed to strengthen students’ writing skills through structured exploration of multiple genres. Students will write in narrative, poetic, argumentative, and informative/reflective forms
while learning transferable strategies such as organization, voice, evidence, and revision. The workshop emphasizes creativity, critical thinking, and confidence in a supportive, collaborative environment.

Click Here To Register

Educational Travel Program - Nichols Students Only

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Geology and Ecology of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

June 5, 2025 - June 18, 2025

$3,800.00

Geology and Ecology of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Open to Nichols rising 9th - 12th Grade Students. Rising 9th with Instructor approval

Begins June 6th with classes, travel June 9th - 17th, some course options continue with scheduled work with instructors throughout the summer.

Program options include:

$3,800.00 (1/2 Credit Option)
$4,300.00 (Full Credit Option)

Join for two weeks of hands-on, experiential learning, as we travel to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. with instructors Josh Ring and Kristen Kelley.

Yellowstone National Park, America’s first national park, is located in the heart of the United States and serves as the core of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which includes Grand Teton National Park and surrounding national forests in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. In this course, you will explore the ecology, geology, and art related to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

We will cover the fundamentals of geology, including geologic history, extinction events, volcanism, and climate change, as well as the unique volcanic and geothermal features of Yellowstone. You will also learn about ecological principles such as natural cycles, ecosystem dynamics, and the effects of reintroducing wolves to the park. Additionally, we will discuss ecosystem management in collaboration with local native and traditional communities.

Art will play a crucial role in conveying the beauty and importance of the area, highlighting Yellowstone’s establishment as our first national park. Each student will choose one option to earn credit for this course. The available options are:

Science Focus (½ Credit): A research project and presentation completed during the trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton. (Saturday, June 6th - Wednesday, June 17th)
Art Focus (½ Credit): An art project and presentation completed during the trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton. (Saturday, June 6th - Wednesday, June 17th)
Science Focus (Full Credit): This option involves more in-depth research. Students will collaborate with the teacher before the trip to identify an area of interest and prepare a research proposal outlining their individual work planned for before, during, and after the trip. After the trip, students will continue their research and prepare either a paper and presentation (such as a talk or a poster) or another format. Students will also maintain a portfolio documenting their work and progress throughout the process. Final presentations will be held at the end of the summer during the Yellowstone Exhibition Night. (Saturday, June 6th - Wednesday, June 17th, with scheduled meetings with the teacher throughout the summer)
Art Focus (Full Credit): This full-credit option includes expanded independent study and art-making post-trip throughout the summer, culminating in a portfolio presentation or performance on Yellowstone Exhibition Night.

Students will also enjoy recreational activities like Wildlife Watching, Hiking, Kayaking, Horseback Riding, White Water Rafting and Fly Fishing.

Dates:

All Options - Classroom instruction at Nichols from June 6 - 8
All Options - Travel to Yellowstone and Grand Teton from June 9 - 17 (estimated time of travel, actual dates may vary)
Full Credit Option – Continued scheduled meetings with the instructor throughout the summer

Program cost includes airfare, accommodations, ground transportation, meals and planned experiences.

Total Trip Cost is $3,800.00 for 1/2 Credit Option and

$4,300.00 for Full Credit

$1,000.00 trip commitment and non-refundable deposit due upon registering – credit card or check payment only.

Commitment and non-refundable deposit are due by March 23rd. Final payment will be added to the student's school account on May 1st. There are both minimum and maximum enrollment requirements in order for this program to run, so don’t delay.

* Nichols reserves the right to cancel this program due to insufficient enrollment (Full refund will be issued)

Students who finish this course will earn credit in Art (full year option can be used for graduation requirements) or Science. Full Course Syllabus and Itinerary are available from the instructors. Please review the summer attendance and homework policies before registering to take this course.

Developed and directed by Nichols Environmental Science teacher, Joshua Ring and Arts Department Chair Kristen Kelley.

*** Please note that this program is available to Nichols’ students only.

Click this link for an informational video Click here

Click this link to register Click here

Middle School Summer Programs

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COMING SOON: The "Write" Stuff: Nichols MS Reading and Writing Camp
Middle School Golf Camp

June 22-26
8:30am-4:00pm
Open to all students entering 5th-9th grade
$487 if paid by credit card
$468 if paid on Nichols student account

If there is a sport that is the gift of a lifetime, it’s golf. Mastering its subtleties at a young age, guarantees a lifetime of enjoyment. Treat your daughter or son to five days of the practice range and on-course instruction at Harvest Hill, Bob-O-Link, Adventure Landing, Audubon and Delaware Park golf venues. At these unique facilities, our directors and counselors will provide your child with instruction in putting, chipping and pitching, sand play, and the long game.

Our camp also emphasizes etiquette, rules, and mechanics. On Monday, we begin the week at Harvest Hill, where we embrace the game on the short course, long range, and short range. On Tuesday and Thursday, we visit Bob O Link, where we practice on their facilities in the morning, then play the 18-hole, par-three course in the afternoon. Wednesday welcomes a visit to Delaware Park golf course, where we play until 2, then return to school for a pizza party at two-thirty. Friday, we kick back and visit Adventure Landing mini-golf for some putting fun on three unique, mini-golf courses. We then head to the Audubon Par-Three course, where we loop the nine-hole layout for the rest of the afternoon! We offer convenient drop-off and pick-up at Nichols, but PLEASE do not be late. Participants should have a basic set of golf clubs and equipment. We look forward to golfing with you this June!

Click HERE to register.

Developed and directed by Nichols Golf coach, Ronald Montesano.
Middle School Jumpstart - Nichols Students Only
8:30am-11:30am
August 11^th-13th
Open to Nichols Students only entering 5th & 6th Grades
$170 if paid by credit card
$164 if paid on Nichols student account

Hit the ground running by enrolling in JumpStart! This 3-day program is designed for incoming 5th and 6th grade students and reviews important school skills. It is a great way to ease back into the school year and prepare for the first days of school, and it is ideal for students new to Nichols or those who simply want to prepare for the new school year and meet new friends.

Topics Include:
- Nichols Norms and Culture
- Organizational Strategies
- Study Habits and Study Skills
- Team Building Activities
- Reading, Writing, and Mathematics Activities
Click Here To Register

Developed and directed by Nichols Learning Support Coordinator, Nicoletta Farrell.

Christian Laettner Basketball Camp - Open To All Students

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2026 Christian Laettner Basketball Camp

BUFFALO, NY – Nichols School (2026)
Date: 7/06 – 7/09 (2026) [4 day camp]
Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm
Location: 1250 Amherst St Buffalo, NY
Point of Contact: laettnercamps@gmail.com
Cost: $225/participant
BOYS AND GIRLS CAMP AGES 10 – 18 YEARS OLD
NOTES: Participants will need to bring their own lunch, drink, and ball (if you have one!)