Hale Outdoor Learning Adventures (HOLA) is a 5-week day camp experience in Westwood and Dover. Campers from BPS partner schools explore more than 1,000 acres of adventure as they learn in the great outdoors. Teachers and counselors double as mentors who inspire curiosity, spark learning, and build community.
Academic Lessons
Campers focus on Math and ELA, but they can expect several STEM and social-emotional learning opportunities, too. HOLA takes learning outside the classroom and onto the trails, into the pond, and among the trees.
Recreational Activities
Collaboration and resiliency are key as campers take swimming and boating lessons, climb on the ropes course, aim for success at the archery range, and learn to creatively express themselves in arts and crafts.
Enrollment
We welcome rising 4th , 5th, and 6th graders from schools throughout Boston, and are now accepting applicants!
Studied by both RAND Corporation and the National Institute on Out-of-School Time, HOLA uses best practices and proven methods to create fun, educational and memorable summer experiences.
Students are being challenged mentally. They’re being challenged physically. They’re being pushed to make new friends, and to get along with other kids they have never met before. This is an incredible program.Patrick Scialoia, BPS Teacher & HOLA Summer Staff
As an official Summer Learning Academy of the City of Boston, HOLA blends academic content taught by certified teachers with traditional camp activities such as swimming, boating, climbing, archery, and more. Hale, Boston Public Schools, and Boston After School & Beyond collaborate to deliver this five-week experience. The program is free and more information is available through participating schools:
Hale is pleased to provide freebus service for HOLA campers. A camp staff member accompanies each bus for the duration of its route and ensures your camper’s safe journey to and from camp each day. You or an authorized adult must meet your camper at your designated bus stop each afternoon.
If your child is a student at one of the schools listed above, and they have completed Grade 3, 4, or 5, please contact your school’s main office to request information about its registration process. If your child is not enrolled at one of these schools, or has not yet completed Grade 3, 4, or 5, they are not eligible for HOLA. Please consider one of Hale’s Camps or Family and Community Programs.
Who staffs the HOLA program?
HOLA teachers are certified Boston Public Schools teachers. Group counselors are typically senior high school and college students. Trained specialists supervise swimming, climbing, and archery.
How will my student get to Hale?
Transportation is included in the program. Four buses travel throughout Boston to pick up students. Stops include local elementary schools and other common areas. Buses do not provide door-to-door service.
I still have questions. Who should I contact?
Please reach out to Jaclyn Ross, Hale’s Director of Camp and Youth Programs.
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Already enrolled? Head over to our new Camper Resource Site: