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Freshman Experience

A Summer Program for Incoming Freshmen

Summer 2022 Dates: July 11 - 14 and July 25 - 28

Registration Deadline is Wednesday, June 15.

COVID-19 is an ever-evolving health situation. Freshman Experience will continue to monitor and follow local and state health guidelines and be sure to follow all guidelines, including face coverings, gathering sizes and social distancing. Specific details regarding Freshman Experience and COVID-19 will be emailed to families throughout the summer. At this time, we plan to host Freshman Experience as an in-person event.

Registration: Registration for Freshman Experience opens in early 2022 and will remain open until June 30, 2022. Families are encouraged to complete the enrollment process before registering for Freshman Experience. 

If you have any questions, please refer to the FAQs on the right side of this page or contact The Freshman Experience team at freshmanexperience@smrhs.org. 

What is Freshman Experience?

Freshman Experience is a week long summer program designed to acclimate incoming Freshmen to the SMR campus, learn the curriculum, and meet faculty and fellow classmates. It also gives students a chance to make new friends before the school year begins.

Goal of Freshman Experience

The goal of Freshman Experience is to prepare and boost the confidence of incoming Freshmen both academically and socially. All courses, including the Jump Start Series and Freshman Seminar are taught by SMR faculty and are highly successful in preparing incoming Freshmen for their first year of high school at St. Mary's Ryken.

Technology

Students who purchased iPads through SMR will receive their devices on the afternoon of the first day. Students who are self-providing iPads should bring their devices the first day. All students should bring their iPads fully charged daily.

The Jump Start Series

The Jump Start Series is a series of content specific courses, designed to prepare incoming Freshmen and provide them with a jump start for the fall. Each course in the series will introduce essential new skills and concepts required for student success. Students will select two classes from the series.

Jump Start classes include Math, Science, English, and Theology.

Freshman Seminar

The Freshman Seminar introduces high school success skills to students of all academic levels. Topics include:

  • Time management and homework tips
  • Note taking skills and testing strategies
  • Tips on successful use of the iPad for educational purposes, and how to use apps such as Google Drive and Notability
  • Discussion about how to manage stress and navigate the social pressures that come with high school
  • Communication skills for interaction with peers and teachers
  • Team building and getting to know your activities

Program Details

  • The day begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m.
  • Half-day options are available.
  • Lunch is included in the cost of the program.
  • Program Fee: $235, which includes two Jump Start sessions each day, Freshman Seminar, lunch and program materials.

Transportation Available

  • Round-trip transportation fee: $130 
  • Transportation stops at Prince Frederick, Hughesville, La Plata, Clinton, Brandywine, Owings, and Charlotte Hall
  • Information regarding transportation times and specific locations will be emailed a week prior to Freshman Experience.

Register for Freshman Experience

Required

Used to correspond with you regarding your child's enrollment in the Freshman Experience program.
Provide another email address, if applicable, that you would like added to our distribution list. ​
Used to contact you regarding your child while at Freshman Experience program.
Name of another person whom we can contact regarding your child in the event of an emergency.
List anyone, other than you or your spouse, who has your authorization to pick up your child.
Does your child have any known food or medicine allergies?required
List any medications, including dosage.
Does your child have health insurance?required
In the event your child experiences a medical emergency,  we will have your child transported to the nearest hospital. 
Medical emergency agreementrequired
For which week are you registering?requiredSelect one. Included in the fees: 2 Jump Start courses, Freshman Seminar and lunch.​​​​​​​​​​
Select one. Included in the fees: 2 Jump Start courses, Freshman Seminar and lunch.​​​​​​​​​​
Course SelectionrequiredSelect TWO courses from the list above. ​​​
Select TWO courses from the list above. ​​​
Transportation
 
Transportation is provided each week of Freshman Experience from Prince Frederick, Hughesville, La Plata, Clinton, Brandywine, Owings, and Charlotte Hall. Centrally located pick up and drop off points are used during the summer.  Cost is $130.00 round trip for the week.  ​There are no one-way fares.​​​ Information regarding transportation times will be sent the week prior to Freshman Experience.​
Do you want to add transportation for your child to and from the program?required
Specific transportation times and locations will be emailed a week prior to Freshman Experience.

Informed Consent and Liability Waiver

Informed Consent:
The information provided above is accurate.  I have read and understand the following:

  1. Program participants will be required to abide by the SMR Student Code of Conduct while participating in the Freshman Experience Program. 
  2. A signed Statement of Informed Consent, Assumption of Risk and Release statement must be completed and on file prior to participation in these classes. 
  3. Photograph/video rights are extended with this registration for the purpose of marketing future programs. This permission does not expire.  
  4. Program fees are payable at the time of registration with a credit card.
  5. Programs may be dropped and a refund (less a $75.00 fee) issued until June 30, 2022.  Program fees will NOT be refunded after June 30, 2022 for any reason.
  6. Transportation costs are for round trip only.  There are no one-way fares.   
  7. Students do not earn a grade for these classes.  They are for academic enrichment only.  
  8. Proper iPad usage will be a topic in classes during the Freshman Experience. Students are expected to only access school related web sites and apps as directed by their teachers.  

Liability Waiver:

  • Participation in activities for the Freshman Experience Program may involve risk and the risk will vary based upon the program my child is involved with.
  • Participation in activities for the Freshman Experience Program may require health information to be completed and be accurate and that if, upon further review, medical personnel for SMR deem it necessary, my child may be required to have a medical clearance prior to participating in the activity.
  • I assume all risks of loss or damage, illness or injury my child might sustain while participating in any Freshman Experience Program class.  Further, I will make no claim against and release, waive, discharge, hold harmless and indemnify, on behalf of myself, my personal representative and my heirs, St. Mary’s Ryken High School and its officers, agents, and employees for any and all claims and causes of action for any injury or loss, or for damages, costs, expenses, or compensation that may occur during or resulting from my child’s participation in this program, whether arising through the negligence, omission, default or other action of any person or event associated with this program, including other participants.
  • I agree that all disputes, et al that may arise between myself, my personal representative, my heirs and St., Mary’s Ryken High School and its officers, agents, and employees relating to this Statement of Informed Consent, Assumption of Risk and Release, will solely be resolved by arbitration.  Except as may be required by law, neither a party nor an arbitrator may disclose the existence, content or results of any arbitration without the prior written consent of both parties.

I have read and understand the information above.  I grant permission for my child to participate in the Freshman Experience Program and grant the informed consent, assumption of risk, and release on behalf of my child and the child’s family.
​​

Informed Consent and Liability Waiver Agreementrequired

Payment Information

Please select a payment typerequired
Billing Addressrequired
Cardholder Namerequired

Frequently Asked Questions