Noozhawk’s Summer Camp Guide is officially here, making it easier than ever to plan an unforgettable summer for your child!
To help parents explore the wide variety of camps available in Santa Barbara, Noozhawk has conducted a series of insightful interviews with representatives from local programs for this year’s comprehensive ParentNooz Summer Camp Guide.
In this interview, Noozhawk spoke with Samantha Lettin, Head of School at Fusion Academy, to learn more about the exciting opportunities they’re offering this summer.
Fusion Academy Santa Barbara
Question: What is the name of your camp or program, and what is its primary focus?
Answer: The camp is called Middle School Explorers Camp, and its primary focus is providing a fun, hands-on summer experience where middle school students can explore art, music production, science experiments, math enrichment, writing workshops, outdoor activities, technology, and other passion-based interests in a dynamic and engaging environment.
Q: How long have you been running the program? Do you have any professional accreditations or certifications?
A: Fusion Academy Santa Barbara has been offering personalized summer programs for several years, with the Middle School Explorers Camp being a more recent addition designed to provide younger students with a fun and engaging summer experience.
Fusion Academy is a fully accredited private school through Cognia and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). This ensures that our academic courses meet rigorous educational standards, and students can earn transferable high school credits through our summer programs.
Q: What specific goals or objectives will participants be working towards during their time at the camp?
A: At Middle School Explorers Camp, participants will work toward the following goals:
Exploring New Interests – Engage in hands-on activities in art, music production, science experiments, technology, and outdoor activities to discover new passions.
Building Academic Confidence – Strengthen math, writing, and critical thinking skills through fun, interactive lessons.
Developing Creativity & Innovation – Experiment with creative outlets like digital media, storytelling, and music recording in our state-of-the-art studio.
Enhancing Social & Collaboration Skills – Connect with peers through group activities, teamwork-based projects, and outdoor exploration.
Fostering Independence & Growth – Learn executive function skills like time management, problem-solving, and self-advocacy to build confidence and independence.
By the end of camp, students will have had a fun and enriching summer experience, gaining valuable academic, social, and personal growth skills in a supportive and engaging environment!
Q: Can you describe the educational components integrated into your program?
A: The Middle School Explorers Camp at Fusion Academy Santa Barbara integrates engaging educational components into a fun and interactive summer experience. Our approach blends academic enrichment with hands-on learning in the following areas:
1. Core Academic Skills
Math Enrichment – Interactive challenges and real-world applications to build problem-solving confidence.
Writing Workshops – Creative and structured writing activities to strengthen storytelling, communication, and expression.
Science Explorations – Hands-on experiments that spark curiosity in physics, chemistry, and biology.
2. Creative & Expressive Learning
Art & Design – Various artistic mediums, from painting to digital media, to encourage creativity.
Music Production – Students can create and record music in our state-of-the-art recording studio.
Technology & Coding – Introductory projects in coding, robotics, and digital creation.
3. Executive Function & Life Skills
Time Management & Organization – Strategies to build independence and effective study habits.
Collaboration & Communication – Group activities that foster teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership.
4. Outdoor & Experiential Learning
Movement & Mindfulness – Outdoor activities that promote physical wellness, teamwork, and social connection.
Passion-Based Exploration – Students can pursue individualized projects aligned with their personal interests.
By integrating academic, creative, and social learning, we ensure that students stay engaged, inspired, and confident while having a memorable summer experience!
Q: What is the daily schedule like, including activities, meals, and rest periods?
A: Our Fusion Academy Summer Camp runs from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM, Monday through Thursday, with flexibility available upon request. Each hour is jam-packed with engaging teaching time, hands-on activities, outdoor adventures, interactive workshops, and plenty of opportunities to build connections through fun.
Whether students are diving into academics, exploring creative projects, or participating in team-building experiences, every part of the day is designed to be engaging, enriching, and personalized to make summer learning exciting!
Q: What is the typical age range of campers who attend your programs?
A: Our summer camp is designed for students ages 10-13, providing a fun and engaging learning experience. High school students have the opportunity to participate in virtual specialty camps or enroll in courses for credit, allowing them to continue their education in a flexible and personalized way over the summer.
Q: Do you offer full day and 1/2 day options?
A: Yes, we can accommodate both.
Q: What are your policies regarding staff background checks, training, and the child-to-staff ratio? How do you ensure the safety and well-being of campers?
A: At Fusion Academy, the safety and well-being of our students are our top priorities. We have strict policies in place regarding staff background checks, training, and student supervision to ensure a secure, supportive, and enriching environment for all campers.
All staff members undergo comprehensive background checks, including fingerprinting and reference verification, before working with students.
In addition, our educators and camp staff receive specialized training in student safety, classroom management, and social-emotional learning, ensuring they can support both academic and personal growth.
We also have CPR and First Aid certified staff on-site to handle any medical or emergency situations that may arise. Child-to-staff ratio is 1:7 in a camp, however multiple camps and classes are happening simultaneously on campus where our full staff will be present.
Q: What is the cost of attending your camp, and do you offer any financial assistance or scholarships?
A: $675 for the week. We don’t offer financial assistance for this camp, however, our 1:1 courses for credit are 20% off in the summer what they are normally during the school year.
Click here to learn more about Fusion Academy’s Summer Camps!