Explo explores summer programs
Photo courtesy of SCAD
Written by Tristan Lueck
Last night, SCAD hosted representatives from Explo, a summer camp that focuses on giving students a unique and diverse learning experience. The program is split into three campuses: Explo at Yale hosts students from grade 10 through 12, Explo at Wellesley College hosts students from eighth to ninth grade and Explo at Wheaton hosts students from second to seventh grade. Students come from all over the world, with more than 60 countries represented.
Elliot Targum, the Head of Programs at Explo Wellesley, started the talk with why they recruit at SCAD.
“We love SCAD,” he said. “One of the reasons we love coming here is because your style of learning — sort of the philosophy of this school and the hands on approach and oriented toward careers later on is very much in line with what we do at Explo.”
Explo looks for students who are passionate, motivated, able to work long hours and good with kids. They started recruiting at SCAD three years ago after noticing SCAD students were hired regularly.
“It’s a good fit. I think the type of student that goes to SCAD and the type of person we’re looking for as our instructors,” said Adam Van Der Sluis, the assistant to the head of Explo at Wheaton.
Explo is a seven-week course, with one week of training and two three-week programs. SCAD students can get jobs as instructors, residential advisers and curriculum advisers, as well as many other positions. Explo hires past Nov. 3, the current deadline, but the most diverse positions are available now.
Instructors can teach classes ranging from Japanese language and culture to a capella/pop choir. Explo also offers workshops on cake decorating, kite making, canoeing and much more. There are also usual camp activities such as sports and field trips, but these field trips could be a Broadway play or a trip to Six Flags. Explo strives to focus on the breadth of knowledge they can give students, not the depth.
Explo hires people of a generation close to the ones coming to the camp to encourage a close personal relationship between the students and staff.
“The staff to student ratio is just crazy,” said Van Der Sluis. “For the Explo at Wheaton program, for example, it’s four to one student to staff ratio. We really want there to be a lot of personal attention between the students and the staff.”
The application process is lengthy, taking an average of two to three hours according to Targum. The current application is closed, but because SCAD is one of the last stops on their recruiting tour they have extended the time for SCAD students through the next two weeks.
“It does take some time and that’s because we really want to get to know you,” said Targum.
Previous SCAD student instructors were at the event and could not say enough good things about the experience. Cody O’Neill, a third year animation student from Meridian, Idaho, could not find words good enough to describe his time at Explo.
“You can’t describe Exlpo in a way that makes it sound as good as it is,” he said. “If you want to change your life, go to Explo.”
For any additional information, go to the Explo website or attend a casual 30 minute interview with Targum or Van Der Sluis today at the Career Center in Bradley Hall between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.. For even more information on Explo and SCAD, contact Chrissy Terry, the assistant director of career and alumni success at SCAD, at 912-525-4653.
