Pioneer Foundation renews support for Caminos Camp

Posted by University News Service

April 7, 2010

Thanks to a grant of $132,000 by the Texas Pioneer Foundation, the Caminos Pre-College Leadership Camp at Texas State University-San Marcos will host students from Goodnight and Miller Middle Schools in San Marcos for the seventh consecutive year.

The Caminos program is a six-week intensive academic leadership program sponsored by the Texas State College of Applied Arts. Seventy-five youth of promise from two middle schools in San Marcos will be chosen by their teachers and counselors to participate in the program. They will have the opportunity to gain leadership skills and earn credits in Algebra, English, and Technology. The Caminos Program also focuses on leadership development, academic achievement, careers, and introducing the students to the college application process.

Jaime Chahin, Dean of the College of Applied Arts, said “The students from past cohorts completed high school at a higher rate than their peers, and are already enrolled in college and working as tutors for Caminos”.

The experience gives the students the opportunity to reside at the university, learn about the expectations, and discipline that it takes to be successful. The program also invites the parents, so they can learn about the program expectations and support their children in all their academic endeavors.

Texas State provides room and board and field trips. Chahin hopes to continue the Caminos camp and integrate it into the fabric of the school district and university as long as funding is available.

“Our goal is to continue the program and expand our partnerships with families and the school district.”

For more information, contact the Dean of the College of Applied Arts at (512) 245-3333 tc03@txstate.edu.