Walnut Hill

Next year Dylan starts high school. I still can't believe it.

The whole world is opening up for him and he's ready to do new things. I was looking for a new summer experience for him and found Walnut Hill. It's a private boarding school based in Natick, Mass. for high school kids that "have demonstrated artistic talent and a commitment to developing themselves as artists."

When we toured the school with Dylan one of the instructors made the observation that if you're an athlete there are a huge number of enrichment options, specialized camps and teams for you. But if you're an artist, the path is not so clearly laid and specialized programs mostly don't exist. So true!

Walnut Hill focuses on performing, visual and creative arts and kids from all over the world apply. It routinely produces the highest number of students accepted to the Juilliard School. Its ballet students are often accepted right out of high school to perform in the top companies. It's competitive to get in and intense once you're there - even for the summer programs. They only take kids that have the talent and maturity to handle it.

When we told Dylan about it and was immediately interested in the summer theatre and creative writing programs. But he definitely felt intimidated! Would he even make it in? It was like applying to college. Multiple letters of recommendation. Essays. Photos. DVD of a performance. High application fee. Dylan even submitted an excerpt of a story he'd written into a writing competition - first prize is a full scholarship to the summer writing program. And let me tell you, it's not cheap!

Well, this week we got the news. He was accepted into both the theatre program and the creative writing program! Now he had to choose. The theatre program is amazing - 5 weeks, 5 shows - all professionally taught, directed, staged and costumed. State of the art.

But a week ago we went up and sat in on a creative writing class...and Dylan absolutely loved it. It reminded me of my favorite lit classes in college. Plus, the summer creative writing kids get to go on a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland. I think that put him right over the edge.

Edinburgh Castle

So get this. He's going to be away for three weeks. First living on campus where he'll do intensive writing and reading workshops - screen plays, prose, poetry. The program has three instructors - all professional writers, not professors. There are only 20 kids in the program. Then they fly to Edinburgh for a week where they focus on Scottish writers and tour extensively. Wow.

Our baby is peeking over the nest, getting ready to fly for the first time, solo. Very exciting. It's really striking us how, as parents, if we do our job right...they leave. And we've only just started the process. Mombo summed it up...once they hit high school "it all goes very fast. Enjoy every second."

The deal is he has to get a job to help pay for it. Anyone need a babysitter?