Twenty-six student athletes and three staff members from Harlem Lacrosse participated in a summer athletic and study program at Hotchkiss from July 8-11.

This was the third year that Hotchkiss partnered with Harlem Lacrosse, which operates year-round programs at schools in five major U.S. cities and is seeking to develop summer programs at private secondary schools around the country, including Hotchkiss. 

The non-profit organization blends lacrosse with academic support, mentoring, leadership, and college readiness.This year, for the first time, the program was expanded to include girls. which was one of the goals set when program was first launched at Hotchkiss in 2017.

The daily schedule included morning seminars on literature and writing to help students gain confidence in discussion techniques and share their ideas openly. Afternoons were dedicated to lacrosse instruction. Evenings included classes in human hevelopment lead by Instructor in English Carita Gardiner and study halls. Each day ended with a full group gathering to discuss the day's challenges and successes.

The program is geared towards replicating a residential academic experience to prepare students for college, particularly for those pursuing a student/athlete experience.

Director of the Teaching and Learning Center and Instructor in history Mike Eckert and former Hotchkiss faculty member Dan Hanley, who has worked for Harlem Lacrosse Boston for the past two years participated in this year's program. Harlem lacrosse staff members included Program Directors Owen van Arsdale, Natasha Blackburn, Mike Murray, and Dy-Jae Pearson. Instructor in English Chris Burchfield taught the program and also coordinated the program between Hotchkiss and Harlem Lacrosse.