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Year-Round Experiences

Safety and Learning All Year

Milton Hershey School’s campus is open year-round. Some students do return home over breaks and during the summer months. Many choose to stay at MHS. For these students, we offer the Year-Round Experiences (YRE) program. It operates when school is not in session.

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A Milton Hershey School student smiles for the camera as his Year-Round Experiences group returns to Memorial Hall.

More Time to Teach the Whole Child

Children’s learning happens all year. Different educational settings help children grow their skills and knowledge and develop beyond the traditional classroom. The Year-Round Experiences program is built on this principle. Providing a safe and nurturing living environment is an important component.

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By the Numbers: Year-Round Experiences

More than 40% of MHS students participated in at least one YRE program during the 2022-23 school year. Students who stay at MHS during breaks or the summer have many program options. Offerings are provided both on and off-campus. Most are educational while at the same time, engaging. They expand upon school-year programming.

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Video Poster
A Milton Hershey School student experiments with a bottle rocket during summer Year-Round Experiences programming.

When is YRE Offered?

Students may live at Milton Hershey School all year or may return home at set times, including:

  • Three major vacation breaks
  • Five weekends
  • Six weeks during the summer

MHS prioritizes safety, and YRE provides students from at-risk homes with a safe care option during breaks.

Read More about Campus Safety

Summer Program Offerings

Programs are organized into three types. This is beneficial for many reasons, including better supervision, accountability, budgeting stewardship, and census forecasting.

MHS offers three types of programming. Learn more about each.

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Week-long Sign-Up Programs

Program options and camps include:

  • 3D Computer Animation
  • Chorus
  • Fishing
  • Coding and Computer Programming
  • Junior and Intermediate First Responders
  • Dance
  • STEAM
  • Scouting
  • Aviation

Students also can participate in team sports camps, including:

  • Football
  • Soccer
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • Wrestling
  • Field Hockey
  • Swimming
  • Ice Hockey
  • Golf
  • Volleyball

Individualized Credit-Bearing Programs

Partnerships were been established with several colleges and universities, including:

  • Susquehanna University
  • Villanova University
  • Lebanon Valley College
  • Bucknell University
  • Messiah College
  • Pennsylvania State University

At these schools, students participate in courses that include:

  • Engineering
  • STEAM-focused offerings
  • Health science
  • Music
  • Psychology
  • Writing

Spartan Day Camp

During the optional summer weeks, MHS provides day camp for students of all ages. Programming varies based on a student’s age. Pre-K through 11th grade students can participate in a variety of age-appropriate activities within their camp divisions. Camp divisions mirror the school’s scholastic divisions.

Spartan Day Camp consists of four major themes. Spartan Day Camp participants experience each theme at least once weekly:

  • STEAM Activities (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics)
  • Outdoor Adventure
  • Fitness
  • Career Exposure

Explore the Community Recreation Center

Drag to see a 360-degree view of the Milton Hershey School Community Recreation Center as part of the Year-Round Experiences program. Then, click to engage with interactive content.

End-of-Summer Required YRE

Students are required to return to MHS two weeks before classes begin in August. During this time, they prepare for the new school year. They also participate in YRE activities and begin sports practices.

Milton Hershey School does not discriminate in admissions or other programs and services on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religious creed or disability. Read important MHS policies on equal opportunity and diversity, equal employment opportunity, and more.