None of us will ever forget the summer of 2020. The corona pandemic upended all the plans we had made – including the plans for Summer School and Summer School for Families. As you know, we were forced to cancel those events for the first time in the 40 years, and we still regret that situation very much.
One key reason for our regret is that so many students had looked forward to being with their peers – some for the first time and others remembering from previous years just how much fun and excitement Summer School offers. But this year, it was not to be.
Going online
Upon the completion of Summer School 2019, we immediately – in some cases the next day – set about planning for the following year. We needed venues to host Summer School and Summer School for Families, and we needed to hire staff to plan and deliver the instructional program, organize activities and excursions, etc. This work is extensive and requires significant resources; for that reason we were unable to refund the full amount paid in advance. In place of the canceled onsite events, we launched a virtual Summer School program of assignments that could be performed from home. We hoped this program would give the students some sense of being at Summer School or Summer School for Families – even though of course nothing can replace the in-person interaction with friends and family at the school venues.
Summer School 2021
What happens next year – will there be Summer School events in 2021? The short answer is YES – assuming, of course, that the authorities permit it. We are hard at work planning Summer School and Summer School for Families 2021, with the usual schedules for the events here in Denmark (17 and 9 days, respectively). That said, it’s anybody’s guess what the corona situation will be next summer.
Options
In parallel, we are working on a Plan B to offer an online Summer School similar to the one offered in 2020, this time with the opportunity to interact with a teacher and a number of classmates. You may want to sign up for the Online Summer School if you do not believe it is realistic for you to travel to Denmark in July 2021.
Of course we very much hope that Summer School and Summer School for Families 2021 are going to be ”live on site” as in all the previous years. We are really looking forward to being with all those who come to be a part of the Summer School events.
Registration
As noted, we are very much hoping to offer Summer School events next year. We will keep you posted on developments. For now, we have pushed back the deadline for payment of the administrative signup fee to 31 October.
We are truly looking forward to seeing new and former students at Summer School and Summer School for Families 2021!