Reading Latin + Creative Writing in Florence: July 15-25, 2025

A unique summer learning experience in Florence, Italy designed for high school students to advance their expertise in reading Latin. Here, in the birthplace of the Renaissance, we make the Classics come alive through an interplay of literature, art history, and travel.

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“Ancient Shapes, Modern Takes”

Calder Classics invites dedicated students of Latin and Creative Writing to join us in Florence to study ancient texts in Latin, engage with masterpieces of Italian Renaissance art, and respond to these encounters in their own creative writing pieces. Over this ten-day program, the myths and legends of the classical world come alive through the interplay of ancient and modern texts, Renaissance art, and students’ own creative interpretations.

We spend our time together in a beautiful apartment in the center of Florence. Language, art, and scholarship merge fluently in an atmosphere of intellectual freedom and interdisciplinary exchange. Our days are split between reading Latin and Creative Writing exercises in our residence and Art History excursions. Each portion of the program informs and builds on the themes revealed in the others. For example, a literary technique isolated in Latin class may be put into practice in a short story later in the day. A Renaissance painting may become the basis for an ekphrastic poem.

The evenings feature Italy’s many leisure and culinary offerings.

Students currently in 9th through 12th grade are invited to apply.

Master Latin and Write Creatively

In Latin class, students read, translate, and discuss Latin literature in an interactive “salon” style environment gaining valuable sight-reading experience with such influential authors as Ovid, Lucretius, Seneca, Vergil, and Horace. Given that participants join us from a variety of schools, we begin each session with a review of Latin grammar. We then analyze important texts from both a grammatical and literary perspective, engaging in such topics as the significance of rhetorical devices, meter, and intertextuality. At least one year of reading original Latin texts is required.

In Creative Writing sessions, using a literary technique or ‘form’ from Latin class, students read and discuss contemporary texts and adaptations of classical stories and write their own creative responses. We use the readings from Latin class and short excerpts from modern poets and authors such as Anne Carson, Mark Strand, and Italo Calvino as jumping-off points to discuss story structure, the hero’s journey, the use of language, and literary techniques. Students are prompted to embark on their own ‘creative’ translations drawing upon our Latin texts as a guide to play with the English language. Each student receives peer and instructor feedback on their English writing. The course culminates in a reading where each student shares a piece they have polished during the program.

Dive into Italy’s Art, Culture, and History

Throughout our time in Florence, we engage with visual art that is related thematically to, or directly inspired by, the literature we read together. Guided by our resident art historian, we focus on how art - written and visual- can be used to commemorate and immortalize both people and events and how artists play a role in creating that memory. In our exploration of Italian Renaissance art, which was deeply impacted by the distant memory of ancient Rome, we focus on the city of Florence and discuss important patrons of the arts such as the Medici family, and famous artists such as Donatello, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael. Our discussions delve into the historical context and broader themes of the artworks we visit as well as their connection to the Latin curriculum.

Our group may visit sites near Florence such as the hilltop town of Fiesole and the city of Siena.

Calder Classics Students Have Joined Us From These High Schools (click here)…

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Staff

Accommodations

Our residence is in a historic Florentine palazzo featuring frescoed ceilings and large, bright windows. Located in the Santa Croce neighborhood, we are near the banks of the Arno River. All the main points of interest in the city are within easy walking distance. With access to our own kitchen and living area, we cook, study, and relax together in a supportive and comfortable environment.

All rooms are doubles or triples with single beds and feature air conditioning and internet service.

Dates & Fees

July 15-25, 2025

The $6,800 tuition includes accommodations, transportation within Italy, museum entries, instruction, and course materials. Breakfast and dinner are also included. Students are on their own for a midday lunch break and are responsible for the cost of their own activities outside of the group. Airfare is not included.

Dates are set so that you can also attend Reading Greek or Latin in Tusculum from July 5-15.

Application Deadline

Students are accepted on a rolling admissions basis while space is available. Please submit your application by the deadline of December 31 to receive priority consideration for this program. Applications received before December 31 will be reviewed as they are received and acceptances will be granted upon evaluation by our staff. Applications received after December 31 will be reviewed if spots are still available.

Your application will be processed and you will receive a reply regarding your acceptance status within one to two weeks of your submission date provided that we have received your teacher reference.

Transportation

Students may choose to travel on the same flight as our staff on either or both legs of the journey between New York City and Florence. Calder Classics will arrange transportation between the airport and the residence ONLY for those students who choose to travel on a flight with our staff, or who coordinate with our flight at arrival or departure. The details of the flight will be specified in advance. Students traveling by themselves must make their own connections to the residence.

Testimonials

“What a wonderful experience exploring Florence and learning Latin! Cindy is very organized and sends detailed information prior to the trip so students are prepared. Living in the villa and making new friends made the journey even more memorable. Thank you Calder Classics!" - Amy, parent

”I cannot stress enough what a magical and valuable time I had at Calder; the instructors are thrilling teachers, the students excel and the chaperones are inspiring; plus, everyone is really fun! Translating the Aeneid Book 6, De Rerum Natura, the Satyricon, and other esteemed texts, visiting Siena and Fiesole, and touring almost every Florentine Museum, brought tears of awe to my eyes daily on the Florence Program.” Maude G., student

“I want to thank everyone involved with making this program happen for both introducing me to really great times as well as an opportunity to greatly improve my Latin and my knowledge of history and the arts.” Elena, student

“A wonderful introduction to Florence. My daughter loved Latin but had never enjoyed museums until her trip with Calder Classics.” C. M., parent

"Our daughter is indeed lucky to be participating in such varied and valuable experiences.” A.S., parent

"I want to thank you for teaching me so much Latin and offering exposure to more difficult texts. I now feel more prepared for next year all thanks to this program." Erin, student

"Thank you for the great experience in Florence and this wonderful opportunity Calder Classics have provided me. It is an honor to be a part of this community, and to learn a brand new language that I found so much interest in". Gago, student

"I feel that I’ve learned a lot and I feel really motivated to practice on my own for the rest of the summer and hopefully see myself improve. Thank you so much." Humu , student

"I really learned a lot on this trip- not just on the educational side of it, but I also learned to really appreciate and understand Latin and Renaissance art and its influences on so many other things. I'm definitely recommending this trip to all my friends!” Angela, student

"I am a firm believer that happy kids love to learn, especially when they are in an environment surrounded by great educators and other enthusiastic students. My daughter loved your program. The photos and updates you sent home were priceless and she enjoyed the small intimate group. These kids will be friends for a long time." - Jojo, parent

"Calder Classics is an amazing experience that greatly improved my translation skills and added to the wonder of the city of Florence. Exploring the city and seeing some of the most beautiful art that exists was the highlight of my summer, especially because it was with such a great group of people. Cindy is fantastic, and I would recommend the program to all." - Anson, student

"I had an amazing time in Florence this summer with Calder Classics. The program was a great mix of academic Latin and cultural immersion. I made so many great friends from across the country and saw buildings and statues that we had read about in my Latin class at school. I loved the experience of reading Latin in the morning and then seeing either, artwork that the texts inspired, or the geological areas by which it was inspired, in the afternoon." - Davis, student

"It wasn’t until the Calder Classics Latin Program in Florence that I realized that Classics is the best way for an artist to ground his interests in academics. Art, culture, and the origin of the Romance languages come together in one program that is by far the only summer course I would consider returning to again. I recommend Calder Classics for those who want to challenge their intellect and immerse themselves in new experiences." - Matthew, student

"Thank you, Calder Classics, for providing our daughter with a memorable summer experience of three interrelated components: language, culture and fun. She returned with newfound confidence in her Latin skills and has begun a new semester reading from prose and verse authors with ease. The engaging activities and friendships she established from this unique learning and personal growth adventure will not soon be forgotten." - Darlene , parent

"Sarah's trip to Florence with Calder Classics was the highlight of her summer. The class time reading Latin was challenging and interesting and always led to something that the group could then experience or see in a new way in the city- she loved that. She also enjoyed her travel companions; she came home with lots of stories and many pictures! She left with a sense of having really lived in Florence and with a greater appreciation of the history and culture of what she studies when she reads Latin." - Kristin, parent

"I had an absolutely incredible time in Florence! All the people on the program were amazing and Mrs. Calder was a wonderful Latin teacher. I really feel that going on this program helped me gain confidence in my translating abilities and important translation experience. Meg, who was our Art/Art History aficionado/teacher, had a staggering amount of knowledge to impart upon us each day about the sights we were visiting. I loved this program, so I would love to come back someday!" - Alexia H., student

“Calder Classics was an amazing experience. The Latin and Art History teaching was fantastic, and I loved making new friends and exploring Italy." - Alexis B., student

"Calder Classics provides a first class opportunity for high school students to learn Latin and Art History from exceptional teachers. The program does a particularly wonderful job incorporating the treasures of Florence and Tuscany into the curriculum." - Debbie and Richard, parents

Photos from Previous Trips

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