From the Director’s Desk: What Makes Summer Session So Special?

By Matt Rinkin P’28, Director of Auxiliary Programs

Each year as I prepare for our Summer Session, I find myself reflecting on what makes these four weeks so meaningful—not just for the students, but for all of us who have the privilege of making it happen. For me, the magic of summer lies in the people—the educators, the students, the families, and the friendships that grow stronger with every passing year.

One of the true highlights of my role has been the opportunity to collaborate with so many talented educators and administrators from schools across New England. The dedication these professionals bring to campus—working tirelessly, 24-hours a day for weeks on end, often giving up their own summers to support our students—is both humbling and inspiring. Their passion pushes me to give my very best, to make sure that each child who steps onto campus has the best summer imaginable. The teamwork and camaraderie that form among our staff during those long, often exhausting weeks remind me why I love this work.

What makes Summer Session so special is not just what we do, but who we do it with. It’s the friendships, the growth, the laughter, and the shared belief that, together, we can make this summer the best one yet—for every single child who calls our campus home.

Matt Rinkin P’28, Director of Auxillary Programs

And of course, at the heart of it all are the kids. Getting to know our students and their families—sometimes over the course of seven years—is a joy that never fades. The days are long, sometimes stretching late into the night, but in those shared moments of laughter, homesickness, and triumph, real bonds are formed. Through the traditions that make summer so memorable—Polar Bear swims, Fun Shirt Fridays, Canobie Lake adventures, late-night pizzas, and our ever-growing list of new favorites like International Cultures Night—our community comes alive.

Over the years, I’ve also had the privilege of partnering with educational consultants from around the world. These relationships have been both professionally enriching and personally meaningful. I’ve developed lasting friendships with agents from China, Korea, Japan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Mexico, Germany, France, and Spain, to name a few. One partnership in particular—our 15-year collaboration with Round the World Spain and its director, Henar Landa—has been a cornerstone of our international program. Henar’s commitment to connecting Spanish students with our community has not only strengthened our recruitment efforts but also added vibrancy, perspective, and culture to our summer experience. The Spanish students who join us each year have become an integral part of our story.

Closer to home, our connections with day schools across New York City have also enriched our program. Our partnerships with schools such as St. Bernard’s, Buckley, Collegiate, Chapin, Marymount, and St. Luke’s have allowed us to welcome remarkable young people each summer. Watching these students return summer after summer—growing from wide-eyed children into confident young adults—is one of the greatest rewards of this job.

What makes Summer Session so special is not just what we do, but who we do it with. It’s the friendships, the growth, the laughter, and the shared belief that, together, we can make this summer the best one yet—for every single child who calls our campus home.

This article was originally published in the fall/winter 2025-2026 issue of the Cardigan Chronicle