Fifty-three 10th and 11^th-grade GEAR UP students from area partner schools recently attended Eastern Oklahoma State College’s GEAR UP College Matters Summer Camp. GEAR UP worked with FOCUS Training to design and deliver a four-day, three-night leadership camp. Students participated in various leadership activities focused on team building, improving communication skills, preparing and finding the right college, financial aid and scholarship search, and active community involvement. The overall goal of the activities was to establish strong, impactful leaders and prepare for the future after high school. Each year, GEAR UP summer camp participants complete a community service project. This year, students created dog toys for the local PAWS organization. PAWS is a non-profit rescue focused on finding homeless and abandoned animal’s homes. At the end of the camp, students shared team presentations and then attended “graduation” where they received completion certificates. Additionally, special certificates were awarded for teamwork, enthusiasm, and participation. The College Matters Summer Camp was sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College’s GEAR UP program. Eastern received a $17 million federal GEAR UP grant in 2017 and will serve more than 3,000 students in 39 area schools for seven years.