Information for Summer Academic Institutes

Educators, Instructors, and Coaches

Saint Mary’s Summer Academic Institutes are led by educators, instructors, and Saint Mary's student mentors who provide professional and personal instruction. Our summer institutes take place on the campus of Saint Mary’s College, in classrooms, laboratories, studios, and athletic fields, as well as field trips into the greater South Bend community. Transportation is provided for all field trips away from campus.  

Saint Mary’s College is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience. For this reason all staff members who participate in Saint Mary’s College Summer Academic Institutes have passed background checks, received Title IX training, and are trained by our Campus Safety Department.

What to Bring

Dress at the Summer Academic Institutes is casual. Wear whatever you feel most comfortable wearing! 

The following is a suggested packing list.

Clothing

• Comfortable clothing for the week
• Jacket or sweater
• At least two outfits (including shoes) you don't mind getting dirty
• One outfit for the closing ritual. Feel free to dress up if you would like to!
• Pajamas and robe
• One outfit for movement (e.g dance, yoga, etc.)
• Walking or athletic shoes
• Flip-flops for shower

Linen

• Bed linens
• Pillow
• Blanket
• Towels

Other

• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, body wash, hairdryer, etc.)
• Umbrella
• Fan, if desired
• Sunscreen and bug spray
• Personal medications
• Money (Your tuition covers all meals and activities, but you may bring spending money for incidentals, souvenir purchases at the campus bookstore, and vending machines. All students are responsible for their own money.)

*Please note that the use of cell phones and other screens may be limited at certain times.

What to Leave at Home

• Larger appliances - mini-refrigerators, televisions, etc.
• Candles, incense, matches, and lighters

Saint Mary's campus is a smoke-free and tobacco-free environment.

Staying on Campus

During overnight summer camps, campers live in the beautiful and historic residence halls on campus. Each residence hall is staffed with trained desk workers, counselors, and an overnight staff member to ensure a protected environment. This campus experience is a vital learning experience, especially for young girls considering college.

Residence halls are configured with double, triple, and quadruple rooms. Participants may request specific roommates when filling out their registration form. 

Please note that during check-out, rooms are inspected for damage. If damages are found, parents/guardians will be invoiced for the repairs and/or replacement items. If a camper loses her key, the parent/guardian will be charged a $30 replacement fee.  

Travel Accommodations

Saint Mary's College is located in Northern Indiana on the Michigan border. Campus is 90 miles east of Chicago on the 80/90 toll road, exit 77. Indianapolis is 140 miles south of Saint Mary's on US 31. Click here for a campus map. The South Bend (SBN) airport is 5 miles from campus. Students arriving by plane or train to this airport are advised to take a taxi to campus (approximately $10-$16 each way). Please note: College staff are not permitted to transport students to and from the institutes. 

Campus Dining

Saint Mary’s College provides professional and nutritious meals in the Noble Family Dining Hall. Participants are provided “all-you-care-to-eat” meals with a wide variety of menus. Dietary restrictions can be listed when filling out our consent forms and will be passed on to the campus food provider.  

Health Services

Overnight Camps

A camp nurse is available during all of our overnight summer institute sessions. Any prescription(s) and over-the-counter medications (including vitamins, antacids, pain relievers, etc.) that partipants may need must be administered by one of the camp nurses. All of your camper’s health and medicine information will be collected once you've registered for camp.

When you check-in to your summer academic institute session, a member of the nursing staff will be on site collecting any medication and/or prescriptions. During check-out, you will be able to collect your remaining medication. Any remaining unclaimed medications will be properly discarded.

If at any point during the summer academic institute session a participant experiences an illness or injury, a nurse or camp staff member will contact the student’s parent or guardian. 

Homesickness and Visiting

Homesickness may be an issue at our overnight programs, especially for those who are away from home for the first time. Staff members have been trained to react to homesickness with compassion and sympathy. Counselors will help homesick participants focus on what lies ahead, making new friends, and embracing fun atmosphere of the experience.

Each of our Saint Mary’s Summer Academic Institutes follow a “No Visiting” policy except in the event of an emergency. Please note that we will only release a participant to the specified individuals listed in the Pick-Up Permission form. All individuals will be asked to show proof of identification before releasing a student to them.

Emergency situations can be reported to the Summer Academic Institute office at (574) 284-4886.

Bad weather? No worries.

In the case of inclement weather, all outdoor activities will be altered as follows:

• Lightning: All activities are moved inside
• Tornado warning: Participants will be escorted inside to the sub-level building area. If they are in a residence hall, participants will be escorted to the lowest level of the building.
• Excessive heat: Outdoor participants will be instructed to take more water breaks and will be monitored by our staff. 

Summer Academic Institute Rules

Saint Mary’s College provides a positive and enriching experience for all participants. To ensure the best experience for all of our students, The Office of Saint Mary’s Summer Camps has established the following rules:

• Campers are required to follow all instructions provided by camp faculty, instructors, and staff.
• Campers must be respectful of other campers and camp staff.
• Campers must respect the property of others.
• Campers must keep rooms clean and orderly.
• Campers are not permitted to leave their groups or Saint Mary’s College campus without staff supervision.

Any minor infraction will result in a verbal reprimand or warning from the Institute Director. Serious infractions will result in a verbal warning and a parent/guardian will be notified by the Institute Director. If infractions continue, participants may be expelled.

Grounds for immediate expulsion may include, but are not limited to use of alcohol or drugs, activating fire alarms, theft, vandalism, or the use of any item that endangers an individual or College property.

Saint Mary’s College will not refund any fees for participants who are dismissed from academic institutes for serious or repeated code of conduct violations.