Mentoring

Because we believe in the power of positive role models, each year, Summer on the Hill recruits talented and responsible high school students to work as mentors to our Grade 3-8 classes during the summer session.

The goals of the mentor internship program are to promote the effectiveness of the summer program, build students' confidence in their leadership and communication skills, and strengthen the bonds between mentors and staff. SOH's mentoring program provides both a nurturing atmosphere for adolescent development and meaningful summer employment.

The Director of Post-Placement supervises the mentors closely. Each morning, she meets with mentors to discuss the events of the previous day and to reinforce effective strategies that mentors can use to establish their authority and to grow into considerate, thoughtful adults. The strategies focus on how mentors should hold themselves in terms of posture, expression, and language so that they are good role models. Emphasis is laid on talking clearly and calmly to the children in order to establish simple ground rules of behavior, and on positive incentives.

Mentors learn about responsibility and leadership as they form close bonds with the students, eat lunch with them, help them with their schoolwork in afternoon classes, join in physical education activities, and accompany students on an overnight camping trip to the Dorr Nature Lab. Mentors receive 20 hours of community service and a minimum wage salary. A boy and a girl mentor are assigned to each class.

Mentors benefit by working alongside dedicated adults who value them and their future. Our returnee rate indicates that mentors find satisfaction in their work. Over 50% return for a second or even a third summer.