Session II, Winding Down

I can't believe that Session II will be over this Saturday.  The time has just flown by!  The students don't seem ready to leave!

Last night some students went to see Shrek the Third in Centennial Park.  Others went swimming at the rec center, and a group also went to Starbucks and Borders.  There was also an exciting lecture on Globalization offered by the Head of Sutherland House, Chalene Helmuth.

Tonight we have a camp-wide activity called "The Roommate Challenge" where 1 set of roommates from each proctor group is challenged to see how well they know each other.  This game is played in the style of The Newlywed Game.  Whichever pair wins will get points for their house!

Check back tomorrow for another update!

Session II, Day 8

Session 2 is just going by so quickly!!! There are only 2 more days of classes left.  Here are a few class photos:

Digital Storytelling

Novel Writing

The Session 2 group photo is amazing!

Second Tuesday of Session II

Last night your students participated in Game Night at Sutherland - all sorts of stations were set up including a big soccer game outside, board games, charades, and even karaoke.  Some students even played Cricket outside until the sprinklers came on and soaked them!

The students in Astronomy went to Dyer Observatory last night to look out of the huge telescope at everything they had been studying in class.  The room with the telescope has a ceiling that moves to acquire the best view of all the stars and planets!

This afternoon we will take our big group photo outside on the steps of Wyatt.  Then, this evening is date night!  We'll have a big pizza party outside on the Sutherland Quad and then each proctor group with out with another proctor group for their date!  Students are doing all different kinds of things including laser tag and ice skating.  Check back tomorrow for pictures and more exciting updates!

So much has happened this weekend at VSA!

Thursday Night, Proctor Night Out

On Thursday night all of the students got an opportunity to spend time with their proctor and pick what they wanted to do!  Here's an bit from Aly Tribbet, one of our proctor's from Arizona!

Here's an update from Aly Tribbit, a VSA Proctor from Arizona:

"Proctor's Night Out was an absolute blast this week. After several long, packed days of class and activities, we decided to let the kids decide what THEY wanted to do for an evening. My proctor group wanted a meal out, and lucky for me they are really adventurous! We decided to go to Cafe Calypso for some home cooked Caribbean food, which was absolutely delicious. The cafe is pretty small, but we still managed to all 11 of us around a table so we could all talk over our black bean salads and cornmeal muffins. Afterwards, we headed to the bookstore to just browse, read magazines in the coffee shop, and relax.  Overall, it was a great evening; one of my favorite yet." 

Girls in Aly's Group!

Yay, VSA Kids!

Friday Afternoon, Arete Performances

Friday afternoon all of the Arete classes gathered together on the Sutherland House Patio to show off their new skills.  The students enjoyed performing as much as they enjoyed watching what the other classes had learned!  Check out the Capoeira, Song Writing, and Step performances here!

Friday Night, The Wacky Dance

On Friday night the students had a wacky dance out in the Sutherland Quad where they enjoyed ice cream sundaes, dancing, and -of course - wacky attire!  Check out the pictures below!

The Sutherland Patio

Kids getting Wacky!

Some amazing outfits!

Saturday Afternoon, The Goofy Olympics

Saturday we had a huge inter-House competition in the form of the Goofy Olympics.  We had events such as Chubby Bunny, Water Balloon Toss, and Tug of War!  The students had an amazing time and A House dominated in the end!

Emmy and Hayley playing Chubby Bunny

Water Balloon Toss

Tug of War: Go S-House

Proctor Tug of War Team!  Unfortunately we lost...

Saturday Night, The Nashville Sounds Game

The students were treated to an awesome night at the Nashville Sounds game against the Memphis Redbirds.  The home team won!  We all enjoyed classic baseball food (hot dogs and soda) and picked up some treats too!

Baseball!

We even stayed for the fireworks!

Sunday, School Days and Sunday Night at Sutherland

During the day the students participated in "School Days" where they had a blast from the past and got to enjoy games from elementary school such as dodge ball, musical chairs, show and tell, and playdough sculptures.  They also got to watch cartoons and eat kiddie snacks!  During this time some of our students did their inaugural load of laundry.  (There were also some laundry veterans in the bunch too...)

In the evening they enjoyed a some low-key "at home time" including a coffee house, mafia, and movies.

Everyone is finishing up study hall right now, but will be heading back to Sutherland House for dinner in The Commons and Game Night.  Check back tomorrow for more exciting updates!

Session II, Day 5

Your kids have been going to class- not just doing fun evening activities! Here are a few pictures from the Astronomy, Anthropology, and Comic Book Adaptations classes:



They've also been enjoying some time on campus:


Tonight is the Wacky dance and tomorrow's is the Wacky Olympics- check back for pictures from these events!!!!!

Session II, Day 3

Last night was full of crazy activities. We hosted our second marshmallow auction of the summer and after a few intense bidding wars, several kids went home with some pretty awesome prizes. Before the auction, they were given the chance to win more marshmallows with which to bid by winning individual and team games. Christopher Cummins won the "Chubby Bunny" contest while Tierra Jones took down the competition in the hula hoop contest.

Tonight we're hosting a variety of activities here at Sutherland. Students will be able to choose from ultimate frisbee, a movie showing, or a trip to Fido, a local coffee shop. Finally Professor Frank Wcislo, Dean of the Commons here at Vandy, will be giving a lecture called "Why Bother Studying History?" which students will be able to attend to earn points for their respective houses.

We've got some really great events coming up in the next few days (anyone for Proctor Group Nights or Wacky Dances?) so se sure to check back soon for more updates! 

Session II, Day 2

Last night we had an AWESOME camp-wide photo scavenger hunt! The students and proctors alike had quite the adventure as they traipsed around campus looking for over 50 different picture perfect Vandy landmarks. Each proctor group was given a camera with 27 exposures and had an hour and a half to collect points for their houses. Photo options ranged from rocking out on Alumni Lawn for 5 points to sitting in the bleachers at Hawkins Field for 30!

The second day of classes has gone swimmingly. Students are really enjoying the material and getting into the swing of things here on campus. Tonight we have a variety of activities ranging from crafting friendship bracelets to a trip to Ben & Jerry's that should be a ton of fun. That's all for today - be sure to check back tomorrow for more updates!

Session 2 Kick Off

Welcome to the VSA blog for Session II!  With 65% of the students in this session being returners, the ice-breaker games went better than we ever expected.  The students seem very happy to see old friends, but to also be welcoming new friends into the VSA family.  The students were all inducted into their respective houses last night - Vision House, Spirit House, and Ability House.  There will be an inter-house competition with lots of exciting and fun ways for the students to earn house points!  But only one house can win in the end...

The first day of class is well under way and the students will be having the mid-afternoon break very soon.  Those I talked to at lunch said that they were having a great time, but that the classes were more challenging than they expected (which is good!).  Our Vanderbilt professors are so passionate about their respective subjects, and have so many things to impart to your students.  

There are no students updates for today - I'm sure the buzz of first night activities had them too busy to write for us.  But encourage them to do so!  The VSA staff along with all the other parents really enjoy hearing from your kids!

That's all for today - check back tomorrow for new and exciting updates!

Session I Winding Down

Session 1 is slowing starting to wind down.  The students are getting excited about our being event tonight: Game Night.  We'll have all sorts of games going including karaoke, twister, charades, and many more.  The students and proctors alike are all getting excited about the dance on Friday night after the closing ceremonies!

Last night everyone went to Centennial Park for Movies in the Park - a Nashville summer tradition.  The students enjoyed watching the movie and getting treats from the local vendors.  Everyone is loving there time at VSA and there have been a lot of long faces about going home!

Pictures:

The Step Arete Class

Chita, the Sutherland House mascot, hangs out with her mom, Faculty Head of House Charlene Helmuth with daughter Ella, and VSA students Russell, Anna, and Mia.

Day 3, Session 1

Last night we had a number of activities including an awesome marshmallow auction where a number of items including a proctor night out with Prefect Tinsley Meloy were auctioned off. This event went for 800 marshmallow's to Hunter's group!  There were also trips to the pool, one trip to Ben & Jerry's, and a huge kickball tournament. 

Tonight most of the students will be taking a trip to Centennial Park to spend some time lounging off campus.  Kids are having an amazing time and a lot of them are already getting sad about leaving.  Check back tomorrow for more exciting updates!

Student Updates:

Clayton Riggs

It is great here at VSA! I can play cricket now. Plus, the food isn't stale.

Photos:

Kids playing Cricket

Marshmallow Auction

Hula Hooping!

Day 2, Session 1

Last night we had an amazing camp wide photo scavenger hunt with 52 different picture options!  The students and proctors alike had an amazing time on their adventures.  Each proctor group was given a camera with 27 exposures and an hour and a half to get the most points.  Photo opts ranged from building a pyramid in front of the Cornelius Vanderbilt statue for 5 points to taking a picture with one of Vanderbilt's many squirrels for 30!  Some of the girls in Lisa's proctor group said that last night was one of the best nights of their lives!

The second day of classes has gone extremely well.  The students are truly getting "into the swing of things" here and most of them feel like they have been here for much longer than two nights. This evening we have a variety of activities ranging from Picture Frame Making to a Marshmallow Auction for awesome prizes.  That's all for today - be sure to check back tomorrow for more updates!

Student Updates:

Hannah Niles

After only a few days here at Vanderbilt, I feel very comfortable with the staff and within the campus.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the various activities we have taken part in.  These include a full campus photography scavenger hunt,  Arete classes (Juggling, Tai Chi, Yoga), and in my class (Shouts and Whispers) collage making and free hand writing. I feel VSA has and will continue to be an important step on an educational level for all who have and will attend.

Marisa Nunez

Today we had an awesome scavenger hunt!  We got a list of crazy things to do, for example: bathe in a fountain, go to the top of the parking garage, and pose like the weirdest statue on campus (while taking a picture for proof).  It was so much fun going to places of campus too, don't you worry parents, we went everywhere with our proctors.  I can't wait to see what we're doing tomorrow!

Day One at VSA Session 1

Day one here at VSA had a great kickoff.  Last night we had an awesome opening ceremony with all of the students being inducted into their Houses: Vision House, Spirit House, and Ability House.  The first day of classes and Arete went splendidly and everyone seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.  Tonight we have a campus wide photo scavenger hunt with our proctor groups, and we are all very excited!  Thanks for checking the blog, and be sure to check back tomorrow for more updates!

Here are the student updates for today:

Aditya Gudibanda

Sunday, June 8th

"Today was really fun.  My proctor, Hunter, did a really great job of helping us get to know each other better.  I'm looking forward to having a great time at VSA this week!"

Photos!

VSA Today! This is a copy of our daily session newsletter - this is today's edition.