This summer, Trinity Hall launched its first-ever summer programs, offering middle school girls entering grades six through eight the opportunity to explore new interests through hands-on learning, creative collaboration and experiential education. Throughout the month of July, students participated in four, week-long programs focused on game design, architecture and engineering, Shakespeare and theater. The summer programs provided students with opportunities to learn alongside their peers in a supportive, all-girls environment. Whether they were designing an original game, constructing a model treehouse, exploring the works of Shakespeare or stepping onto the stage, students engaged in experiences that encouraged them to think creatively and challenge themselves.
The summer programs began with Beyond Boardgames, hosted by Trinity Hall math and engineering faculty members Kali Lambrou and Nicole Sadowski, alongside student assistants Lauryn Smith, Aanya Patel, and Cate Donnelly. Participants stepped into the role of game designers, exploring the process of imagining, creating and testing their own original digital and board games. Throughout the week, students developed their ideas from the initial brainstorming stage through game mechanics, prototyping and playtesting. Using tools such as 3D printers and laser cutters, participants transformed their concepts into physical models. The hands-on experience encouraged students to think creatively, collaborate with others and develop problem-solving skills as they brought their ideas to life. Participants also had the opportunity to work with Trinity Hall alumna Sophia LaTourette ’25, gaining insight into her expertise as well as her experiences as a former Monarch and current Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute student.
The second session, Design Your Own Model Treehouse, was hosted by Lambrou and Sadowski with student assistants Jane Bavuso and Mackayla Morreale. The program encouraged students to explore the worlds of architecture and engineering while imagining their dream treehouse and transforming their ideas into physical models. Students learned the fundamentals of structure, planning and design to sketch concepts, create models and refine their work. With the help of 3D modeling tools, 3D printing and laser cutting, students brought their imaginative designs to life while considering both creativity and function. Participants also had the chance to sit down with Trinity Hall alumna Kasey Wilkens ’25, gaining insight into her experiences and learning more about her time at the University of Notre Dame.
Both sessions concluded with opportunities for students to share their final creations with one another and Trinity Hall staff. “These programs gave middle school girls a chance to dive into design thinking in a way that felt playful and real, whether they were dreaming up interactive board games or designing their ultimate treehouse. Watching them lean into the creative process, test their ideas, and build real prototyping skills was incredible, and just as rewarding was seeing them form genuine friendships along the way. Our student assistants were a huge part of that magic, bringing energy and hands-on guidance that helped every girl’s design vision come to life. Getting to work alongside our own students as facilitators was one of the most rewarding parts of this experience for us too. It was amazing watching them grow into mentors right in front of us,” said Lambrou.
Trinity Hall’s summer offerings also encouraged students to explore the humanities through Shakespeare Camp: All the World’s a Stage, hosted by English and theology teacher Samantha Puma with student assistant Laini Lasalandra. Throughout the week, participants stepped into the world of Shakespeare through storytelling, creative writing, acting and discussion. They discovered memorable characters and dramatic moments from classic plays while exploring various elements of Shakespearian culture and the impact it still has today (including the fashion!). Through interpretation, performance and collaborative activities, students developed their skills as readers, writers and public speakers. The program also emphasized voice development and confidence, “The most rewarding part of Shakespeare Camp was watching students realize that Shakespeare isn’t just something we study; it’s something that continues to shape the stories, music and culture they already love. Seeing their confidence and creativity grow throughout the week was incredibly meaningful. Summer programs like this give students the freedom to take academic risks in a low-stakes, supportive environment. By the end of the week, they weren’t just reading Shakespeare- they were collaborating, performing, and creating their own interpretations with confidence and fun!” Puma mentioned. The week concluded with partner performances written by and starring the participants!
The summer programs concluded with Theatre Camp, hosted by theater director Ellen Phillips with student assistants Kate Skrocki and Riley Mueller. In this session, students explored the world of performance through acting exercises, improvisation, character development and scene work. Participants collaborated with each other to develop characters and bring stories to life while gaining experience with the creative and rehearsal processes. The week concluded with a short performance, Thursday Afternoon Live!, which allowed each participant to showcase her work and celebrate her accomplishments with family members and new friends. Reflecting on the week, Phillips said, “The camp was such a wonderful opportunity to get to know these girls before they begin high school. I hope to see them again someday soon on their first day as Monarchs, when I can say, ‘Hey, I remember you from summer camp! We had so much fun!’ They certainly kept me on my toes and brought a fresh perspective and creativity to each activity. Middle school is a different experience from high school, and it was a great reminder of where our incoming freshmen are coming from and the excitement they bring with them.”
Across all four programs, Trinity Hall’s inaugural summer offerings provided students with opportunities to learn, create, collaborate and discover new passions while forming new friendships along the way. By combining hands-on experiences with the supportive, all-girls environment, the programs gave participants a glimpse into the many ways learning can extend beyond the classroom while helping them build skills and confidence they can carry into the school year ahead.