Sports + Athletics | Intermediate Program

Sports and physical activity are an important part of your experience at Exploration. Throughout the summer we encourage you to keep both your mind and your body active. For some students, choosing to be physically active means enjoying a relaxing walk around Lake Waban with friends or joining in on a pick-up game of volleyball on the quad. Others may choose to take advantage of Wellesley’s great athletic facilities with instruction in competitive team sports like soccer, lacrosse, Ultimate Frisbee, or flag football.



Sports clinics give you the opportunity to receive hands-on, athletic instruction from the head coaches of Wellesley College’s NCAA teams. All clinics are coeducational and open to students of all ability levels unless otherwise noted.  Sports clinics are available for an additional fee of $60. Space is limited and interested students must sign up in advance on their applications.


First Session: Sat July 3
Want to dunk like Dwight Howard? Unfortunately, you’ll probably need a growth spurt of at least ten inches. In the meantime, make your way towards the NBA the way the pros do: learn the fundamentals of smart passing, accurate shooting, and solid defense. Students will spend the day on the courts with Wellesley College basketball coach Kathy Hagerstrom. Coach Hagerstrom will cover person-to-person defenses as well as screening, posting-up, and blocking out for rebounds. The clinic will continue with an active scrimmage, followed by a discussion about basketball skills and sportsmanship on and off the court.
Sports Clinic Cost: $60


First Session: Sat July 3;  Second Session: Sat July 24
From the streets of San Paulo to the playgrounds of Paris, soccer is the most popular sport in the world. On the fields of Wellesley College, we’ll learn the fundamentals of this global phenomenon. Tony Mohammed, head soccer coach for Wellesley, will lead you through a day of drills, skills, and soccer strategy. The clinic will cover ball work (inside, outside, top of foot), as well as proper techniques for dribbling, passing, and shooting. Get ready to practice different skills and tactics and learn new drills to hone your ball handling skills.  At the end of the day, you’ll get to challenge yourself in a small-sided scrimmage to show off what you’ve learned.
Sports Clinic Cost: $60


First Session: Sat July 3;  Second Session: Sat July 31
Squash is not just a vegetable! Learn to take command of the court in this fast-paced and high-energy racquet sport. On the courts of the Wellesley College Sports Center, you’ll spend the day with Wellesley College’s head squash coach, Wendy Berry, as she takes you through the basics and beyond. Coach Berry will teach you techniques and strategies to make you a better player, whether it’s your first time on the squash court, or you’ve played the game before. From drop shots to lobs, and volleys to drives, by the end of the day, you’ll be ready to participate in a round-robin tournament with your classmates. Ready? Let’s see that first serve!
Sports Clinic Cost: $60


First Session: Sat July 10;  Second Session: Sat July 24
Game, set, match. Come learn how to serve like Federer and volley like Venus with Wellesley College head tennis coach Brian Kuscher. On the tennis courts at Wellesley College, you will spend a fun-filled day working through a range of drills focusing on forehand, backhand, footwork, volleys, and overheads. You’ll pick up tips to improve your skills and knowhow, and learn how tennis is played at the college level. You’ll take a short break from the courts and spend some quality time in the weight room with Coach Kuscher learning about lifting and conditioning in college level athletics. By the end of the day you’ll be ready to try out a round-robin tournament with your classmates.
(Note: Participants should have some previous tennis experience and should bring their own racquet.)
Sports Clinic Cost: $60


Note About Sports Clinics: Sports clinics are optional and are offered in addition to our regularly scheduled weekend trips.  Students who do not participate in sports clinics choose from six to eight additional trip destinations or on-campus workshops each weekend day. Parental permission is required for students who wish to withdraw from a sports clinic for any reason during the summer. Refunds will be granted only if the student is replaced and/or additional funds are not incurred.