A Graphic Novel This Way Comes
Jun 20 - Jun 24, 2022 / 1:00PM - 4:00PM / For ages 14 - 17

Learn the tools and techniques that artists, writers, typists, and colorists use to make their comics for print, the web, and mobile devices. Aspiring artists will explore the comic book as a wholly developed narrative; commonly referred to as graphic novels, these works of art combine highly developed themes and visual art in one piece. Come ready to learn to create influencing stories, unique and interesting characters, mind-blowing worlds, and the imagination and passion to put it all together!

Due to popular demand, this course has TWO sections! June 20 – 24 and July 25 – 29!

Build Your Own Longboard: Custom Boards
Jul 11 - Jul 15, 2022 / 9:00AM - 12:00PM / For ages 14 - 17

This week-long design and build course gives students a chance to custom design and build their own longboard. From Pintails to Penny Cruisers, we'll use modern wood pressing techniques and old-fashioned hand tools to cut and shape a longboard to your specific design.

Build Your Own Longboard: Custom Pintails
Jun 6 - Jun 10, 2022 / 9:00AM - 12:00PM / For ages 12 - 14

In this week long course students will build their very own classic, pintail longboard from scratch using maple wood veneer and a simple wood press. Using hand tools and a little bit of sweat we will shape and sand our new boards. Once that new deck is looking smooth and just the way you want, we will customize with spray paint and stencils before putting on our trucks, wheels, and grip tape. And finally, after all that hard work, we will take our finished boards out for a test run for a safety check and to carve up the sidewalks.

Chess Champions
Jun 13 - Jun 17, 2022 / 10:00AM - 12:00PM / For ages 12 - 17

The Queen's Gambit is far from the only play in town! Start your journey into the world of chess with this informative and competitive workshop. Players will explore the foundations of chess and begin to learn classical theory and opening moves. As they progress through the week more advanced strategies will be explored. This workshop is designed for students who are new to chess and is perfect for those who have an interest but little to no experience. If you are an advanced chess player this is probably not the workshop for you (but if you're interested in participating as a coach please inquire)!

Cosplay Creations
Jun 27 - Jul 1, 2022 / 1:00PM - 4:00PM / For ages 12 - 17

Cosplay is the practice of dressing up as a character from a movie, book, or video game (including Japanese manga and anime). In this class, we will design and create your cosplay character using cosplay costuming techniques. This class focuses on creativity and sustainability and thereby the designs will incorporate up-cycled materials. Some sewing experience is helpful but not required.

Crazy Cartooning
Jun 20 - Jun 24, 2022 / 9:00AM - 12:00PM / For ages 9 - 11

Take your cartooning imagination to the next level and let your goofy and wacky side free. Emphasis is placed on exploring imagination and will introduce young artists to drawing cartoons from different perspectives, both literally and figuratively! Young artists will be introduced to the simple design and extreme fun cartooning has to offer!

Due to popular demand this course has two sections, June 20 – 24 and July 25 – 29!

Dissection Inspection
Jun 6 - Jun 10, 2022 / 1:00PM - 3:30PM / For ages 12 - 14

Students will have the opportunity to engage their curiosity about animals while investigating the outer and inner workings of an earthworm, grasshopper, crawfish and frog. Participants should be interested and willing to dissect, under supervision, multiple specimens; a strong stomach and curious mind is a must for this fun, hands-on dissection class!

Due to popular demand this course has two sections, June 6 – 10 & June 27 – July 1!

Fashion Design School
Jun 13 - Jun 17, 2022 / 1:00PM - 4:00PM / For ages 12 - 17

Are you a creative detail-oriented person who is passionate about innovation and in search of a place to self-express? This five-day workshop will provide you with a chance to explore this multifarious field and will culminate in a huge Fashion Show event where you will market your new fashion line. Students will develop their sense of color, texture and detail; they will sketch, sew, render and pattern while embellishing their creative ideas visually and verbally with studs, patches, stencils, textures, dye, and other accents. No prerequisite required, although some sewing experience is an asset.

Freakonomics
Jun 20 - Jun 14, 2022 / 1:00PM - 3:30PM / For ages 12 - 17

In one of our most popular workshops students will study the modern market system with a hands-on approach and engage in a mini-market game of risk, chance, and profit as they captain businesses of their own in the battle for market supremacy! They will learn the basic mechanics of the stock market and develop an understanding of market forces, trading techniques, and the fundamentals of analysis. Finally, students will learn how they fit into the economic world and the power of their own decisions in the interconnected world of commerce.

Due to popular demand this course has two sections, June 20 – 24 & August 8 – 12!

Gravity, Relativity, & Flying Sodas
Jun 13 - Jun 17, 2022 / 9:00AM - 12:00PM / For ages 8 - 10

Have you ever wanted to drop something just to see what would happen? Have you ever been in an airplane and wondered what's keeping you in the air? Do beach balls and bowling balls really fall at the same rate? Using a hands-on-approach, you will understand the theories behind these occurrences, and at the end of the workshop, you will see the world in a different way, and be able to impress your friends with your Einstein-like genius.

Gross Anatomy
Jun 13 - Jun 17, 2022 / 1:00PM - 4:00PM / For ages 8 - 10

This fun and exciting workshop will explain the systems of our body by talking about everything adults don't really want to talk about. Students will spend the week learning things like how our body makes a scab, where ear wax comes from, why we hiccup, and what spit has to do with taste. You will also have the opportunity to make their own blood, brains, and snot! We hope that you will see the body in a whole new way and make lots of wonderful dinner conversation with your family.

Intensive ACT Prep Class (In preparation for the June 11 ACT)
May 31 - Jun 10, 2022 / 5:30PM - 7:30PM / For ages 14 - 17

This intensive two-week test prep course focuses on the ACT exam, providing a thorough review of the core content while also emphasizing strategies that help students diagnose and solve test questions successfully. All students will receive the Higher Ground Test Preparation Manual, 12 hours of instruction, 2 practice tests to assess performance level, assessment reports, and supplemental materials.

This is an in-person camp that runs Tuesday through Friday. Initial ACT Diagnostic Test is Tuesday, May 31 5:30pm-8:30pm; Final Diagnostic Test is Thursday, June 9 5:30pm-8:30pm. The test prep classes are intended for high school students who are planning to take the ACT and are open to all currently enrolled high school students regardless of age. Scholarship opportunities available to qualifying applicants, contact Higher Ground Learning for more details.

Intensive ACT Prep Class (In preparation for the July 16 ACT)
Jul 5 - Jul 15, 2022 / 1:00PM - 3:00PM / For ages 14 - 17

This intensive two-week test prep course focuses on the ACT exam, providing a thorough review of the core content while also emphasizing strategies that help students diagnose and solve test questions successfully. All students will receive the Higher Ground Test Preparation Manual, 12 hours of instruction, 2 practice tests to assess performance level, assessment reports, and supplemental materials.

This is an in-person camp that runs Tuesday through Friday. Initial ACT Diagnostic Test is Tuesday, July 5 1:00pm-4:00pm; Final Diagnostic Test is Thursday, July 14 1:00pm-4:00pm. The test prep classes are intended for high school students who are planning to take the ACT and are open to all currently enrolled high school students regardless of age. No camp on Monday, July 4 or July 11. Scholarship opportunities available to qualifying applicants, contact Higher Ground Learning for more details.

Intensive PSAT Prep Class
Jul 18 - Jul 22, 2022 / 1:00PM - 3:00PM / For ages 14 - 17

In this week-long intensive course we will be examining the PSAT and focusing on a comprehensive overview of the content and concepts within the test, as well as the introduction of specific test prep strategies. This course is designed ONLY for those taking the highest level PSAT/NMSQT, which is used for determining National Merit Scholarship status.

Students who have taken an SAT class at Higher Ground Learning should only enroll in the PSAT workshop after consulting with Higher Ground due to the similarity in content and structure between the two tests.

Intensive SAT Prep Class
Aug 1 - Aug 11, 2022 / 1:00PM - 3:00PM / For ages 14 - 17

This intensive two-week test prep course focuses on the SAT exam, providing a thorough review of the core content while also emphasizing strategies that help students diagnose and solve test questions successfully. All students will receive the Higher Ground Test Preparation Manual, 12 hours of instruction, 2 practice tests to assess performance level, assessment reports, and supplemental materials.

This is an in-person camp that runs Monday through Thursday. Initial SAT Diagnostic Test is Monday, August 1 1:00pm-4:00pm; Final Diagnostic Test is Wednesday, August 11 1:00pm-4:00pm. The test prep classes are intended for high school students who are planning to take the SAT and are open to all currently enrolled high school students regardless of age. No camp Friday August 5 or 12.

Intro to AP Biology
Jul 4 - Jul 8, 2022 / 10:00AM - 12:00PM / For ages 14 - 17

In this workshop students will get a refresher in the core scientific principles and processes inherent to biology and necessary for a strong start to the AP Biology course. Skills covered include core elements such as experiment and procedure design, the collection and analysis of data, and the development and support of a claim by using evidence. While there are no prerequisites for this introductory workshop, it is recommended by the College Board that students who take AP Biology have already taken a general Biology class as well as Chemistry.

Intro to AP Computer Science
Jul 18 - Jul 22, 2022 / 10:00AM - 12:00PM / For ages 14 - 17

Get a head start on the basics of the 'Big 5" in preparation for your first Computer Science course! Topics covered will be the creative and iterative process with design, algorithm development, and data/network implementation. Fundamental coding ideas and concepts will be covered with a focus on Java.

A personal laptop is required for this workshop.

Intro to AP Statistics
Aug 8 - Aug 12, 2022 / 1:00PM - 3:00PM / For ages 14 - 17

This workshop will provide the fundamentals for getting a head start in an AP Statistics course. You'll begin the week talking about data analysis and model--based predictions. From there, special attention will be paid to probability and distributions as they relate to statistical inference. Finally, a deeper understanding regarding quantitative analysis will be explored. Please note that students should have a solid foundation in Algebra and of course enjoy math in general!

Intro to AP-Level Calculus
Aug 1 - Aug 5, 2022 / 10:00AM - 12:00PM / For ages 14 - 17

Are you planning to take Calculus next year, or maybe you just want to learn what this exciting branch of mathematics is all about? In this workshop, we will be introducing concepts and problems related to several fundamental areas of calculus, including limits, differentiation, applications of derivatives, and integration. This workshop will give any student a head start on the concepts covered in an AP-level Calculus AB class. This course is designed for students who have not studied Calculus before and is open to all currently enrolled high school students regardless of age.

Intro to AP-Level Chemistry
Jul 11 - Jul 15, 2022 / 10:00AM - 12:00PM / For ages 14 - 17

If you are going to take AP Chemistry next year this is the workshop for you! We will be covering some of the "Big Ideas" of AP Chem including structure, bonding, kinetics, and equilibrium. This workshop will stress not just the conceptual side of Chemistry, but also will incorporate mathematics and the analysis of data within a holistic overview of the material. Note that students should have a foundation in Chemistry, preferably General Chemistry, before taking this workshop. This overview will give every student a significant edge when beginning AP Chem in the fall! This workshop is open to all currently enrolled high school students regardless of age

Intro to AP-Level Physics
Aug 8 - Aug 12, 2022 / 10:00AM - 12:00PM / For ages 14 - 17

If you plan to take AP Physics 1, 2, or IB physics next year, this workshop is for you! This class will mostly cover Newtonian mechanics, including, but not limited to: kinematics, Newton's laws of motion, work, energy, and power. Students will learn to think about problem-solving and the world in general from a physicist's perspective! All material covered will provide a head start for an AP or IB high school Physics course.

Photo Frenzy!
Jun 27 - Jul 1, 2022 / 9:00AM - 12:00PM / For ages 12 - 17

Become a digital photography ninja in this five-day course. Students will uncover the hidden potential behind the lens, and gain a superior knowledge of aperture, white balance, exposure, and ISO sensitivity. They will try their hand at time lapse, learn when to use Macro, and explore photography from many technical and conceptual angles. All those extra buttons will soon be an arsenal of picture taking prowess!

Power of Persuasion: How to Win Arguments, Negotiate Deals, and Charm Audiences
Jul 18 - Mar 11, 2022 / 9:00AM - 11:30AM / For ages 12 - 17

From classical debate to elements of stand-up comedy, this class will challenge students to engage with their peers in a fun, competitive atmosphere. We'll look at core elements of psychology as well as case studies of famous influencers. Each day will feature a different theme with consistent, hands-on games. Build skills in public speaking, empathy, and compromise in a week long battle of wits.

Due to popular demand this course has two sections July 18 – 22 morning & afternoon!

Stock Sleuths: From Index Funds To Bitcoin
Jun 20 - Jun 24, 2022 / 10:00AM - 12:00PM / For ages 14 - 17

Explore the world of investing and learn how the markets work in this week-long introduction to trading. Attention will be given to traditional modes of investment (and why starting early is so important!), but class will also focus on active trading, cryptocurrencies, penny stocks, and other risky avenues that some investors pursue. Simulated trading competitions will refine fundamental concepts as students learn how to manage a portfolio and learn why value is important even in the world of analytic trading. Come ready to crunch the numbers and place your bets!

Participants should have a HIGH level of interest in math!

Study and Test-Taking Skills: High School
Jul 27 - Jul 29, 2022 / 10:30AM - 12:00PM / For ages 14 - 17

This 3 day class will show students how to be successful in the classroom and throughout their academic journey and is comprised of topics specifically tailored to students in high school: organization and time-management, maximizing classroom learning, note-taking, test preparation, and subject test taking (note: this class DOES NOT cover standardized testing like the SAT or ACT). Group exercises will center on establishing effective habits that will expand learning and minimize stress in the classroom and at home.

Study and Test-Taking Skills: Middle School
Jul 5 - Jul 8, 2022 / 10:30AM - 12:00PM / For ages 11 - 13

Looking to fine-tune your study skills, acquire cutting-edge test taking techniques, and develop an academic edge that will prepare you for harder classes and high school? Addressing all learning styles, this workshop offers a highly innovative curriculum that will show students how to be successful in the classroom and throughout their academic journey. Dynamic group exercises are incorporated to develop classroom etiquette and to teach the importance of teamwork in academics.

The Art of Inking
Aug 1 - Aug 5, 2022 / 9:00AM - 12:00PM / For ages 14 - 17

Explore the niche art medium of ink! From fine art, illustration, design, and comic art, see how inking has been involved in them all. We will learn not only how to manipulate ink using pens, but brushes and other unique techniques as well. Learn to draw, shade and create depth, add color to make your creations pop and make vibrant texture all with this amazing and detailed medium.

Urban Art – Spray Paint Manifesto: Aerosols, Murals + Masterpieces
Jul 18 - Jul 22, 2022 / 1:00PM - 4:00PM / For ages 14 - 17

Students will work alongside local artist Dave Simon and spend five days digging in deep with aerosol arts, exploring the ins-and-outs of spraypaint techniques, murals, and street art. We will draw inspiration from the 'greats' of graffiti and guerilla art - from the early days of 'rogue' artists like Basquiat to today's highly-collected urban art legends like Shepard Fairey and Banksy. Extra lab time will be provided for students to go hands-on with large spraypaint mural projects and artworks of their own, as well as to hone in skills in stenciling, wheat paste, lettering, and other street art essentials.

This course will be held onsite at the University of Utah.

Urban Art – The Street Art Project: Stencils, Style & Spray Paint
Jul 18 - Jul 22, 2022 / 9:00AM - 12:00PM / For ages 12 - 14

This five day introductory course to urban arts will explore various forms of street art techniques, styles, legendary urban artists, and their impact on today's culture. SLC local artist Dave Simon will work with students to develop their own personal style, street artist persona, and learn basic techniques to create their own original artworks using stencils, stickers, markers, wheat paste, aerosol paints, and other tools of the trade.

This course will be held onsite at the University of Utah.

Young Writers Workshop
Jun 6 - Jun 10, 2022 / 9:00AM - 11:30AM / For ages 12 - 14

This workshop is for the student who wants to improve his or her academic writing skills and will cover all types of writing, from creative to expository and everything in between! We will incorporate individual as well as group exercises to foster a balanced learning environment. Students will practice foundational skills, engage in creative and persuasive writing exercises, and stretch their boundaries in new ways to find and express their voice!

June ACT Test Prep Class
May 17 - Jun 9, 2022 / 6:00PM - 7:00PM

Classes | Tuesdays and Thursdays • 6:00 - 7:00pm
Diagnostic Tests | Saturdays • 11:00am - 2:00pm (5/14, 6/4)
PLUS 1 Hour of One on One Instruction

This course unlocks the best strategies and covers the most important content on the test. Supercharge your potential for success with a class that doesn't require a huge commitment. The class includes one free hour of one-on-one tutoring to optimize your personal approach and attain your desired score. All materials and practice workbook are included, 8 hours of instruction, 2 full practice tests, and 1 hour of individual instruction.

ACT Exam Registration
Enrollment in this prep class DOES NOT register your student for the ACT Exam. Parents/Guardians are responsible for enrolling their student(s). Visit the ACT website for upcoming test dates and registration information. Registration for the test is on a first come first serve basis so please register early to be guaranteed a seat.

Free ACT Diagnostic
Saturday, May 28, 2022 from 11:00AM - 2:15PM

Join us on Saturday, May 28th for a FREE ACT diagnostic! You'll take a full length practice exam; Higher Ground will grade it and email you and your parents a full score report. Get a jump start on studying and receive timely feedback so that you can make the best plan possible!

Please note that there are a limited number of spaces for this free test available.
Minimum of 3 enrollments are required to run test.
COVID Protocols apply and will be required