Morning Session (8:10-10 a.m.)
What makes a good reporter? How can I be sure what I read is true? What in the world is a “lede”? Learn the basics of news writing and reporting ethics while creating a camp archive. As a Harold reporter, you will be responsible for documenting memorable camp highlights in a daily newspaper while learning what makes news, news. Students who take this course get to be responsible for recording the history of Satori. Be the eyes, ears, and voice of Satori 2026!
Course restrictions: Must be a returning Satori camper; high school students only.
Speculative fiction is a broad umbrella term that encompasses fantasy, sci-fi, horror, alternate history, and many other genres. In this class we will discuss tropes and examples of different types of speculative fiction worldbuilding, from Narnia to The Expanse. We’ll analyze genre conventions and assess the strengths and weaknesses of related tropes in different types of stories and mediums, from building your own Dungeons and Dragons setting to planning out a sprawling intergalactic space opera. Based on our discussions and analysis, we’ll do some preliminary worldbuilding of our own, both in small groups and as a whole class. Come prepared to talk about your favorite works of fiction and how they might inspire your own worldbuilding!
How much can you really trust your own brain? This hands-on psychology course examines how we think, learn, and perceive the world—while uncovering the surprising ways our minds can deceive us. You’ll participate in interactive experiments, challenge popular psychological myths, and explore the science behind memory, behavior, and social influence. Together, we’ll unlock the mysteries of human cognition and behavior.
In this class, we will explore the fundamentals of front-end web development. Today we use the internet to do pretty much everything, but creating the pages people see and interact with is a complex task. We’ll cover HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and finally the React framework to bring it all together.
Ever wonder what it’s like to be a Forensic Analyst? Ever wonder what it really means when they say a fingerprint is a “Match”? Hint: it is more complicated than you might think. In this course, you will explore the world of latent print examination from a ten-year veteran of the field. You will use industry standard instrumentation to process evidence, compare prints, and see if you can make the ID. The final day of class will conclude with a tour of the WSP Crime Lab – right here on Eastern’s campus.
In this class, we will explore various types of songwriting from traditional instruments and voice to classical composition to electronic composition. Students will work on completing at least one song by the end of camp with the option to record and produce their songs. This class pairs with the Echo Studio class during the midday session to combine art with music, or it may be taken as a standalone class.
Finances are something we all must navigate at some point, and in fact, many of you are likely already managing finances in some way already. My goal in teaching this class is to equip you with the tools to approach finance with confidence. Throughout this class, we’ll cover what money is and how it works, the fundamentals of money management, what you can do now to set yourself up for financial success, and even explore strategies for saving like a millionaire.
We will be looking at the social and cultural norms of different decades throughout world history and how the norms would impact the events that occurred. In this examination, we will be focusing on the social norms themselves and whether the events that occurred were ahead of or behind the norms and expectations of the era. Once that has been determined, we will look at and determine whether the social norms impacted the decisions/events or if they occurred independent of what was happening in society.
In a world where it’s getting more and more difficult to listen to those we disagree with, this class will focus on doing just that. Learn how to engage in thoughtful (if heated) conversations around today’s controversial topics. We’ll talk, we’ll listen, we’ll argue, and we’ll still be friends after.
Midday Session (10:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.)
In this collaborative studio experience, students compose original music and then transform their pieces into visual art — paintings, mixed media, or symbolic imagery inspired by sound. That artwork then becomes the catalyst for a new musical response, creating a dynamic back-and-forth between music and image throughout the week. This reflective, process-centered class invites curious thinkers to explore creativity across mediums in a calm, supportive environment. No advanced experience required — just a willingness to experiment and listen deeply. This class pairs well with Songwriting 101 offered in the morning session or may be taken as a standalone class.
You have probably talked about him in school. You have probably read or seen Shakespeare performed, probably in movie form. So why are we still doing these dusty 400 year-old plays? Let’s really dig into the cannon and see what makes these timeless stories tick. In this class, we will learn about the smart, funny, and often bawdy Bard.
What happens when the world refuses to behave the way we expect? How do scientists respond when evidence surprises them? And why do some ideas seem to persist even when the scientific evidence suggests they are wrong? In this course, students will explore how invisible particles can interact to produce dramatic, counter-intuitive results, causing objects that implode or transform in ways that challenge our intuition. Through a series of demonstrations, we’ll build and revise models to explain how gas particles interact and test our ideas against evidence. Then we’ll zoom out: scientists revise their thinking when evidence contradicts what they expect, and learners do the same. By connecting physical science concepts with research on how people actually learn, students will experience how evidence drives both scientific discovery and conceptual change in the classroom. Expect hands-on investigations, college-style discussion, and a final look at how teaching and research work together.
In this class, we will learn how philosophy can help us better understand ethical problems and live better lives by playing a modified version of Dungeons & Dragons! Students will navigate a mythological world set within The Epic of Gilgamesh filled with fantastical creatures and real questions. We will also take breaks from roleplaying to discuss some of the philosophical questions that emerge from decisions made in the game. This class is open to new players and D&D fanatics alike! So, roll for initiative and answer the call to adventure! If you do, you just might level up in real life!
This class will be a no-rules writing workshop where messy first drafts are celebrated! Come play with words and format, blast through your writer’s block, and cultivate your writing voice. Bring a notebook, pen, and your ideas.
This class will explore a variety of (non-jigsaw) puzzles, including word, logic, mathematical, Japanese-style and abstract puzzles. We will examine the history of recreational puzzles and how to create your very own.
Explore how mathematics powers digital images! In this hands-on course, students use vectors, matrices, and transformations to manipulate and enhance images. From geometric transformations to filters, participants discover how linear algebra drives modern image processing and visual effects. Perfect for curious problem-solvers who love math and technology.
Ichi! Ni! San! Shi! Students will learn basic karate, judo, and self-defense techniques taught in the authentic martial arts atmosphere. The course will include moving basics, kata, basic throwing and falling techniques, and knowledge of Eastern culture. The concepts of dignity and respect will be emphasized along with a strengthening of the spirit, which allows the student to push back the limits of their physical prowess.
Satori, by the Zen Buddhist definition, is a state of sudden spiritual enlightenment. In this class we will explore not only the meaning of Satori, but the culture that surrounds it. We will study both the Japanese language and the writings of the Japanese. Students in this class will even get to use Japanese calligraphy and make their own Kanji. Prepare to be enlightened!
Afternoon Session (1:10-3 p.m.)
Clean energy solutions are needed all over the world as energy demands increase and we continue to understand how the use of fossil fuels affects the world we live in. Fuel cells and hydrogen are one way that these energy needs can be met without harmful byproducts. In this class you will learn about hydrogen production, storage and transportation, and how fuel cells use hydrogen to produce electricity. During the week you will have the opportunity to see a functional fuel cell system and the components that make it work.
In this course, we will consider important current social issues (for example: civil rights, achievement gap, economic disparities, immigration, gender equality, etc.) that are important to each of us personally and examine many of the personal, social, political, and philosophical complexities that undergird them. In doing so, we will reflect on our own stories of identity that shape our personal philosophies and the ways we seek to live out those stories in the world.
Between 1650-1730, piracy was rampant in the Caribbean, inspiring popular conceptions in media. But what’s real and what is merely fiction? In this class, we will delve into the history of pirates to separate myth and fact.
This class will explore how pop culture and pop music intertwine. We will discuss why music and media trends become popular. How do pop music and social movements become trends? What is a fad and what is a tradition? In the end, we will discuss why we play the songs at the annual camp dance.
Over recent decades opportunities for women in areas such as education and leadership have greatly increased. According to the UN, girls are more likely to finish school than boys, women are gaining representation in many governments, and almost 100 countries have enacted anti-discrimination laws. Still, many challenges remain for women and girls across the globe. Discrimination, violence, gender-based pay gaps, and lack of representation continue to be realities for many. And while great strides have been made toward gender equality, challenges have arisen in today’s political climate that threaten the rights that have been so hard won. In this class, we will explore the current and historical experiences of girls and women, as well as feminist actions and movements for change.
Grab your swords, spears, and sandals! As long as there have been humans, there has been mythology to explain our reality. In this class, we will analyze the form and function of mythology with examples from history. You will have a chance to craft your own myths to better understand the process and evolution of myth creation. We will also discuss how mythology can be applied to our lives in the 21st century. Launch “1,000” ships and create your own myths and legends!
Do you enjoy creating whimsical visions with Legos or shaping sprawling worlds in Minecraft?Do you find yourself pondering how and why the buildings, cities, and other structures around us come into being? If so, you might just find your calling as an architect! This course will introduce you to architecture, design, and drawing as a means of visual thinking. No prior experience in art is necessary.
Come join the Government of Satori, where we will elect leadership, form committees, draft legislation, debate important issues, and where we will draft our own Constitution. We will work together to find out if we can find a way for the nation of Satori to succeed.
Want to be the next dynamite detective or superstar spy? Learn to apply math and logic towards cracking codes, investigating crime scenes, and cornering criminals. Each day, your group will tackle a new mystery with twists and turns along the way, ending with an Escape Room competition. Come sharpen your skills for your next caper, crime or whodunnit!
