By Paige Lambert

Middle schoolers listened intently to the college students’ tales of college life, professors and dining halls during the first Camp Jumpstart at Texas State University.

The camp was put on by the Center for P-16 initiatives. The center focuses on reaching public school students who would be the first generation in college or from low-income families.  

“We try to get kids through the educational pipeline to college and graduate,” said Liz Castaneda, P-16 grant coordinator. “We do that on many different levels.”

During the day camp attendees met with college students and explored the campus. Each workshop focuses on an aspect of college life such as financial aid, dorm life and the admission process.

Breanna Burton, who developed the camp, said each workshop helps connect what they want to do with a possible career.

“If they like to read we’ll point out careers that have a lot of research or are very artistic we’ll point them to the arts,” Burton said. “

They also explore realitycheck.com, a site that allows students to see what kind of careers will lead to the type of life they want, or vise versa.

“We just expose them to college life and what reality looks like,” she said.

The campers got a chance to ride the Bobcat Tram and walk across the hilly campus, helping them visualize more of college life.

“One of the students mentioned being concerned about getting from one class to another on time,” Castaneda said. “So we explained to him how to choose classes and time it out.”

Logan Gonzalez, a 12-year-old from San Marcos, said time management, scholarships and getting in to college were some of his biggest concerns.

Castaneda said for many high school students, they learn about college or start thinking about it too late.

 “If they want to be successful they need to start way before their junior year,” Castaneda said. “If they offered that type of information at the middle school level we would have more of a chance to set them on a path to success.”

Burton said the campers already knew a lot about college and were energetic about learning more.

Burton said each year the camp would change to meet the particular needs of middle schoolers, such as activities that match their bundle of energy.

“Learning about college has made a difference in my life because I know going to college will make a difference,” Gonzalez said. “It’s more than just going to high school and stopping there.”