Upward Bound Leadership Camp teaches students important skills
A group of high school students from across Plumas County came together at Camp Connery in mid-June for a three-day leadership camp to meet, greet, learn and have fun.
The Leadership Camp is just the beginning of Upward Bound’s six-week summer program, which also includes four weeks of enrichment classes and field trips and culminates with a four-day college tour.
While at Camp Connery, the students participated in a community service project, a challenge course and other leadership games and activities where students had the opportunity to connect and work together as a team.
On the first day of camp, the students demonstrated their teamwork skills by assisting at the Greenville community garden. In just a matter of hours, the UB participants turned an overgrown winter garden into a space ready for local children to replant in the coming days.
The community service project not only helped the local community, but also allowed the students to build their work experience, which increases their chances of getting accepted into desired colleges and jobs.
On the second day of camp, Project Discovery’s challenge course brought veteran and first-year students together as they navigated mental and physical challenges, further developing coping and communication skills necessary for their college success. The students also participated in cooking and cleaning duties where they learned healthy eating habits and cooking skills, which further prepares them for their college journey.
Because UB’s main purpose is to help first generation and low-income students enter and succeed in post-secondary education, teaching skills such as communication, teamwork, self-care and persistence are essential.
With summer in full swing, UB students will participate in several preparatory courses such as math, science, English, Spanish and college life skills.
They will also have the opportunity to attend Friday fieldtrips in which students will learn about local wildlife, tree measurement, international studies, journalism and more. The participants are rewarded for their hard work and study by being invited on the four-day, all-expenses-paid college tour.
This year, UB is taking students to Simpson University, Shasta College, College of the Siskiyous, Southern Oregon University and an Oregon Shakespeare production of “Beauty and the Beast.”
For more information about how a high school student can join UB, visit frc.edu/upwardbound.
