Oakland University’s Office of Public School Academies and Urban Partnerships (OU/PSA) hosted its inaugural Building Bridges for the Future: PSA Pre-College Summer Camp this summer. The three-night residential camp was supported through OU/PSA’s collaboration with the University’s Department of Pre-College Programs. The goal of the camp was to emphasize the importance of a college education to the sixth through eighth graders enrolled at OU charter schools. Camp participants toured the campus and engaged in learning activities taught by OU professors and graduate staff in science, chemistry and engineering. Campers were also introduced to Chinese culture and language.
Reginald McCloud, director of Pre-College Programs, and GEAR UP Program Coordinator Jonathan Parks have successfully sponsored a variety of similar type campus activities for students from Oak Park, Pontiac and Avondale districts. GEAR UP mentors were positive role models for the charter school students and facilitated discussions about college and assisted with camp activities.
In addition to the academic activities of the camp, the 55 students from Dove Academy, Nsoroma Institute, Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences, Star International Academy, Universal Academy and Weston Preparatory Academy also participated in field trips to the Cranbrook Science and the Chrysler Museums. They also enjoyed OU’s Rec Center and Bumpers Room and went bowling.
The success of the camp, as indicated by survey results from the participants, will be used to plan for future pre-college opportunities for the students.
For more information on OU’s public school academies, visit the Office of Public School Academies Web site. For more information about OU’s Pre-College Programs, call Reginald McCloud, director of Pre-College Programs, at (248) 370-4455.