Area students attend college's first GEAR UP summer camp
(Press Release 06-21-10)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

PDF Version of Release (+PHOTOS)

Eastern Oklahoma State College's GEAR UP for a Brighter Tomorrow grant program partnered with Sky Ranch recently to present the first iLead summer camp “Fill It Up.” This year's camp helped students examine the dreams that they are currently pursuing. Students were encouraged to evaluate their dreams and think of ways they can help themselves have a brighter tomorrow.

The Session Topics for “Fill It Up” included:
1. Is my dream really my dream?
2. Do I see my dream clearly?
3. Does my dream compel me to follow it?
4. Do I have a strategy to accomplish my dream?

This year the students were “TAKEN BACK IN TIME” by the Sky Ranch staff through the theme of FILL IT UP. The theme focused on helping students realize what their dreams are. They were introduced to the characters of Rex and Professor Doc, who travel back to the 1950s and 1970s. There, in these two decades, Professor Doc tries to help Rex realize what his goal in life is through several different “life exercises.”

Students also traveled back in time with these two characters by engaging in two nighttime events that took place in the 1950s and 1970s. Students were divided into teams that were named after vehicles that specialized in the era of the 1950s. During the first night event—a sock hop—the teams engaged in competition including a hula hoop dance-off, decorating tube socks for the sock hop, and using hair products to produce big and wild hair do's. For the next night event, they traveled back to the 1970s and danced to the music of disco while playing a unique and live version of the game CLUE.

During the day, teams were involved in outdoor activities that consisted of football, ultimate Frisbee, and a game that combined the sports of volleyball and dodge ball. The teams also raced against each other in a relay and had lots of fun playing on several inflatables. Students also participated in team building challenges where each team had to work together to solve puzzles and physical challenges. The mix of fun and learning is all a part of the Sky Ranch's philosophy that students will be more willing to listen to you when they are having fun and know that you care.

The camps began with students viewing Eastern's recruiting video and receiving view books. Several won door prizes! Campers were then taken on a tour of the campus using GPS to direct them to different parts of the school. The tour included the Library/Administrative Building, Mitchell Hall, Gunning Hall, Sullivan Hall, Student Center, Johnston Hall, and the Field House. Campers also visited Eastern's bookstore.

The camp was free to GEAR UP participants. Eastern Oklahoma State College received the $6.7 million grant in 2006. Eastern has partnered with 23 area schools to provide students and school personnel with educational opportunities.

PHOTOS AVAILABLE