As part of the Summit community students pitch in and help in a variety of ways. All students, accompanied by staff, participate in daily chores including meal preparation and clean up, caring for the campus grounds, and keeping their dormitories neat and clean.

Weekdays:
During the week students focus on completing school work during normal school hours. After school students engage in a variety of activities including hiking, cooking, fitness, planning weekend activities, and sometimes, just hanging out.

Evenings consist of study hall in our classrooms followed by free time in the cabin. Lights out is at 10:00PM.

Weekends:
Activities on the weekend consist of recreational activities and community service projects. Recreational opportunities may include day trips, rock climbing, hiking, ice climbing, canoeing, cultural events and other outdoor pursuits. Community service projects have included volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, a local soup kitchen, Chatham Trails Association, a local animal shelter, and helping out elderly neighbors.

Each day provides time for reflection and/or group processing to look at past behaviors and choices. Summit’s experienced staff, who have been trained in and practice an ally based approach, challenge students to consider their actions and to explore alternatives to the behaviors that lead to their separation from school. Written reflection exercises provide a structure for students to consider their choices and reflect on their behavior, as well as provide insight into their feelings about their circumstances. Copies of the written reflections will be provided to the sending school and the parents.