High school students experience university life at GVSU summer enrichment camp

Nearly 100 high school juniors and seniors are wrapping up five days of intensive college preparation Thursday as Grand Valley State University's Summer Enrichment camp comes to a close. 

The camp, organized by Grand Valley's Charter Schools Office, is a groundbreaking program that brings two groups of 48 students from nearly two dozen Michigan schools to campus for a week for fun, professional skills development, and college readiness training.

Students who attend the camp have a whirlwind schedule that keeps them busy as they take part in activities that will help them personally and professionally. 

The college experience is an important aspect of the camp, and students stay in on-campus housing with students from other schools, just like a first-year student at GVSU would typically do. Students also take mock classes with professors on campus, eat at on-campus dining options and meet with financial aid and admissions representatives. 

While many of the activities are professionally and educationally focused, there is also time for fun and creative ways for students to explore campus. There are opportunities to explore a dance class with a student dance club, visit the student radio station, or help plant lettuce and taste fresh tomatoes at the university's Sustainable Agriculture Project. There are also chances to go to Lake Michigan and explore Grand Rapids.

"I really liked the experiences where we got to meet new people the most so far. It's really helped my speaking and social skills," said Sreenu Kunapareddy, a junior at Canton Preparatory High School. "I went to the farming class on campus and learned a ton; I thought it was just like planting flowers but it's way more interesting than that."

Teachers from some of the schools represented volunteer to help with the camp, and say they see major changes in the students who apply and attend the camp. 

"I like that they get to choose what classes they go to, they get to choose six of their 10 courses, which will help them hopefully identify something to study when they go to college," said Ron Brown, a math teacher at Canton Preparatory High School. "I love seeing the kids have fun. Every day there are new stories, tons of laughs, tons of smiles. They're experiencing new things, overcoming fears, coming out of their comfort zone and doing new things. We see a lot of great growth."

Students also get lessons on résumé writing, financial literacy, take part in mock job interviews, focus on team building, learn about appropriate social media etiquette and much more. 

"The camp functions largely as a simulation of the college experience -- from dorm life to essay writing to interviewing -- the camp is many students' first opportunity to understand the expectations of college," said Rob Kimball, associate vice president for charter schools. "Faculty and staff from across the university contribute to the students' experience."

For more information on Grand Valley's Summer Enrichment Camp, visit: http://www.gvsu.edu/cso/summer-enrichment-camp-91.htm