Programming by College of Health Units
College preparation sessions
Career Exploration
The Ball State Career Center will provide a highly interactive and engaging introduction to the Career Exploration process. Campers will engage in activities that will help them gain a greater understanding of their own career and professional interests. Campers will complete a variety of assessments and will learn about their own unique strengths and interests,providing insight into career paths with the greatest opportunity for fulfillment and satisfaction.This self-discovery will also allow the campers to begin researching career options. They will learn more about the responsibilities of different professions, salary information regarding various careers, as well as the best college majors to pursue to prepare for certain occupations.
Real World Activity
The Real-World activity is a series of 14 booths set up to simulate real life, to help attendees understand the value of a college education. Booths are manned by a community volunteer or BSU staff member who will assist and direct campers through the experience. Campers will receive a profile that they will use to take them through the activity.The profile will include education level, marital status, number of children and base monthly income.The Real-World activity will help campers understand the need for personal responsibility, sound decision-making skills and also promote self-esteem by giving students ownership over their career and life goals. By engaging community volunteers, campers will see that adults in the community value youth and want to help them be successful and make good, responsible decisions both in their careers and in their lives.
College Readiness
Ball State Admissions staff will provide students with an information session on what is required to be college-ready. The session will include topics such as: required or preferred high school courses; understanding what it means when a school is 'test-optional'; the importance of visiting multiple colleges; and selecting a major (or entering as an undecided student). Campers will be encouraged to ask questions throughout the session and be provided with a check list on steps to take to be college ready.
How to Pay for College
Ball State Financial Aid staff will provide a session to help students understand the financial aid process and the types of financial assistance available to college students. Parents and/or legal guardians will be invited to participate in the financial aid session.This session, along with the College Preparation session, is meant to help participants understand that attending college is a viable reality for them, both academically and financially.
Success Skills
Members of the Ball State Learning Center will lead a session to help campers strengthen the skills they need to be successful at college. Topics will include: time management,study skills, dealing with being away from home, navigating a large college campus, how to find and use available campus resources such as tutors, mental health counseling support, and navigating a college campus as a first-generation student.
Co-curricular Activities on a College Campus
Campers will be introduced to college life outside the classroom by introducing them to a diverse array of activities and experiences they can participate in as a college student. This includes, but is not limited to, access to the recreational facilities, social programs to promote interpersonal connections and fun entertaining events. University and student led organizations will create programming that fits with the academic theme of each camp.
The camp and academic year visits are offered at no cost to attendees and their families.
This is sponsored by Ball State's Indiana Youth Programs on Campus (IYPC) grant through Eli Lilly & Company.