Thirty-nine GEAR UP students from area partner schools recently attended Eastern Oklahoma State College’s GEAR UP Skills Summit 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, time management and prioritization, networking, FOCUS on life, community involvement, and working toward the future. The overall goal of the activities was to establish strong, impactful leaders.

Each year, GEAR UP summer camp participants complete a community service project. This year, students decorated rocks with encouraging words to place around their communities.  

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 Solutions for College and Beyond 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.