This weekly program is for girls and boys entering PreK4-Kindergarten. Girls and Boys must be 4 years old before July 1 and all participants must be completely potty-trained. The three theme-based weeks will include an integrated curriculum where girls and boys will experience an enjoyable, fun-filled, nurturing atmosphere with arts and crafts, games, story time, music, sports, and Fun Fridays! Choose from full-day or half-day morning options.

• Session 1: June 22-26, 2026: one week session 8:30-11:30 a.m. 
• Session 2: July 6-10, 2026: one week session 8:30-11:30 a.m.
• Session 3: July 13-17, 2026: one week session 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Non-Credit Course

Sports Media & Broadcasting Bootcamp

Sports Media & Broadcasting Bootcamp introduces students to the world of sports broadcasting and storytelling. Get in front of the camera and learn the basics of anchoring, reporting, and interviewing. Multiple guest speakers from across the industry will visit in person and via Zoom to share their experiences and insights. By week’s end, each student leaves with a foundational on-air résumé reel, a clearer view of careers in sports and broadcast media, and a lifetime’s worth of memories and stories to tell.

Summer Academic and Enrichment Courses Entering Grades PreK4-12

For over 25 years, summer at Duchesne has been a beloved destination for a safe, fun, nurturing, educational, and enriching summer experience.

Students entering grades PreK-4-12 can create a schedule from over 100 classes covering a wide variety of topics, including academics, sports, art, science, technology, cooking, movement, and more.

Our students come from the greater Houston area and beyond to experience our program, led by Duchesne faculty, staff, alumnae as well as local certified teachers and trusted business partners.

Join us for a fun, nurturing experience which is what the HEART of your child's summer should be!

All classes have enrollment limits to ensure a safe and fun learning experience for each student.

Our online registration system allows you to add your child to the waitlist for classes that are full. If a spot becomes available, we will contact you via email, and you will need to respond within 2 days. If we do not hear from you in that timeframe, your child will be removed from the waitlist, and the spot will be offered to the next child.

If your child requires a full-day schedule, please select classes that are currently available to avoid gaps. Being on the waitlist does not guarantee a spot during that period, so it is advisable to choose an alternative class that is not full.

The School admits students regardless of race, color, creed, ethnicity, or national origin who possess the motivation, ability, and character which would enable them to succeed in our School community to the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School and the School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ethnic, or national origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other School-administered programs.

Early registration is strongly advised due to limited enrollment of classes. Students are accepted, and all courses are assigned in the order in which applications are received. Registration confirmation will be sent via email once you have registered online.

All students must provide a copy of current immunization records indicating that they are up to date with the State of Texas Minimum Immunization Requirements for their appropriate age level unless currently enrolled at Duchesne. This must be received before any student's registration is considered complete. 

Everyone is charged a one-time annual registration fee of $50.00 per student. (Non-refundable) 

Students are required to be in a summer course while on campus and must be supervised at all times. Students are not allowed to wait in the library or elsewhere on campus before a course, after a course is over, or in between courses. Extended Morning and Extended Afternoon are available for registration to those who need to be dropped off early, 7:30 a.m. - 8:10 a.m., or picked up after 3:00 p.m. 

When registering online, you may pay by credit card or ACH/e-check. Please note that there is a convenience fee charged by credit card companies for credit card payments.

Appropriate summer attire is required. Students may wear shorts, T-shirts, socks and tennis shoes. No sandals or flip flops please.

Cancellation by Heart of the Summer:

Proration is not available as instructors and staff plan for a full week of classes, including supply cost for each student registration.

EMERGENCY CLOSING: In case of weather alerts and other emergencies, closure information will be posted on duchesne.org. Please note that there are NO REFUNDS for days the school is closed, unless the entire week/session is cancelled.

Cancellation by a Student: 

Registration may be cancelled, and tuition refunded (minus the registration fee) prior to May 29, 2026. After that date, you will be unable to cancel unless a student is medically precluded from participating. A letter from a licensed physician is required. 

No schedule changes may be made after May 29, 2026.

Refunds will not be issued after May 30,2026.

Extended Morning meets in the Dining Hall from 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. daily. Extended Afternoon is held in the Dining Hall from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily. These programs offer relaxed recreational activities including games and indoor play. Students must be picked up on time. After 5:00 p.m., parents will be charged $15 for every 10 minutes that your child stays late in Extended Afternoon.

The fee for Extended Morning is $60 a week. For Extended Afternoon, the fee is $100 a week. Extended Morning and Extended Afternoon are available by the session. Registration is required.

Lunch

Only full day students and those who have a class immediately before AND after lunch are permitted to eat lunch on campus. All other students not staying for lunch must be picked up promptly at 11:30 a.m. in the Lower School circular drive. Students have the option of purchasing a lunch or bringing a lunch from home. Heart of the Summer provides the option for students to buy lunch on a weekly basis through Duchesne Dining. The fee for lunch is $45/week and should be purchased when registering. The deadline to order lunch is May 29, 2026

Lunch Menu

Please contact Michael Kenny at Duchesne Dining with any questions. 

Snacks

Snacks will be provided ONLY to students who are participating in the Girls Camp and Boys Camp programs, as well as Extended Afternoon. If your child needs a snack before or after lunch, he/she may bring one from home.

Cell phones, smart watches, and similar personal devices must be turned off and put away safely during Summer Program hours unless required by a class in which the student is registered. Students may use the phone in the Summer Program's office if a phone call needs to be made. Should this become a problem, phones/watches/electronics will be collected and given back at the end of the day. 

Early/Late Pick-up

Please call the Summer Program office at 713-468-8211 ext. 3200 when picking up early or arriving late. Your child will be escorted to/from your car by a member of the Heart of the Summer staff.

Absence

To report an absence, please email extendedprograms@duchesne.org or call 713-468-8211 ext. 3200 and leave your child's name and the class(es) that will be missed. We will notify the instructor(s). 

In case of weather alerts and other emergencies, closure information will be posted on duchesne.org. Please note that there are NO REFUNDS for days the school is closed, unless the entire week/session is cancelled.

Download the Registration Worksheet

Please use the worksheet to decide what classes your child will take during a session before you register online. Before submitting your registration to us, double check that there are no gaps in your child's schedule and that no classes overlap. If you enter a class in one column, you should not enter a class in the other column that would conflict. For example, if a student will register for the three-hour class Prep for Kindergarten, which runs from  8:30 - 11:30 a.m., do not enter a class in the left-hand column before lunch. Remember to choose a lunch option at the time of registration.

Please remember to register your child for Extended Morning or Extended Afternoon (shown on this sheet) if your child will need to arrive early or be picked up late. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 713-468-8211 ext. 3200 or at extendedprograms@duchesne.org.

Everyone was super helpful, kind, responsive, and I really appreciated it. Often, you just want someone to help you and take a weight off with 4 kids and Duchesne did that. Many other places don't always do that. So thank you!! My kids definitely want to return next year.

Two kids-male and female- both really enjoyed their classes. I like the ability to stack the day for them to create a schedule they like. 

My son loved the variety of classes offered and I was very impressed with how well organized the camp is.

My child enjoyed her time taking classes this summer.  I also liked the ease of pick up and drop off.  We will continue to attend next summer.

Great! I signed my girls up for 8 different camps this summer.  They enjoyed this one the most!  And so did I.  They learned, they had fun, and they came home happy.  Well done!

We participated in a few different camps, and she came home most excited after Heart of the Summer.  Wonderful experience, thank you.

This program is the best!  Our family looks forward to it each year!  Very organized, timing is great for parent drop off and pick up!  Love this program! The staff and student helpers are awesome and are so friendly and helpful to the kids.

Great program and students/staff supporting! Both of my children came home excited and had great things to say about their teachers and other support.  This program is the best!

My kids had a wonderful time taking courses that they may not be exposed to for a long time.  We felt confident in their safety while away at a new school. 

My daughter came home overwhelmingly happy throughout the week.  She enjoyed the new learning and friendly environment.  When I reached out to the staff with a question, they responded incredibly fast and were always friendly.

I was extremely impressed with the communication prior and during the camp.  Registration included.  The teachers and staff were equally impressive and communicative, especially when I had an issue arise with my son.  It is a high quality program.

Ivy had so much fun and said it was her favorite camp so far this summer.  Thank you for all your hard work, planning, patience and time.  I know a lot goes into hosting a summer camp.

My children are happy and excited about going everyday which I feel like is the most important thing!

Both of my children (daughter and son) enjoyed their week at Heart of the Summer. They came home excited and enriched. We loved our experience.