Texas State hosts free college preparatory summer camp

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
May 23, 2011

Texas State University-San Marcos will host a free College Access Project Summer Leadership Camp June 13-17 for incoming juniors and June 20-24 for incoming seniors.

The CAP camp, designed to educate local juniors and seniors on the college-going process and to introduce them to the university, will run 9 a.m. -5 p.m. on the Texas State campus. The CAP Camp is sponsored by the Center for P-16 Initiatives.

Transportation, lunch, and supplies will be provided daily at no cost to participants.

CAP Camp will train students on how to prepare, how to apply and how to pay for college. This training will include assistance with completing college entrance applications, SAT and ACT preparation, essay writing, financial aid applications and scholarship searches.

“The Center for P-16 Initiatives is focused on helping students and families navigate the process of gaining access to and applying for a college education,” said Director Michelle Hamilton. “The more transparent we can make the process, the more likely students are to be successful now and in the future.”

Grant Coordinator Elizabeth Castañeda oversees the G-Force Mentorship program which provides grass-roots, hands-on mentoring and tutoring for local high-school students. The G-Force mentors, all Texas State students, will provide the leadership and training for the CAP Camp participants.

“The G-Force Mentors have made a significant difference in college-going rates in San Marcos and the surrounding communities in the last couple of years,” said Castañeda. “It is our commitment to empower students and families, and to educate them on how to pursue their dream of a higher education. CAP Camp will provide the necessary tools to help prepare current high school students with what it takes to reach their goals.”

Incoming high-school juniors and seniors who are interested in this free camp must submit an application by Friday May 27.

Students should contact their high-school Career Counselor, G-Force Mentors, or call the Center for P-16 Initiatives at (512) 245-8192 for more information.