For rising seniors, our Camp College initiative provides insight, guidance, support, and information for students and their families.
There’s nothing quite like spending time on a college campus to jump start your plans for life after high school. For rising seniors, our Camp College initiative provides insight, guidance, support, and information for students and their families. Camp College starts with a planning retreat on the beautiful Sewanee: The University of the South campus in mid-June. Admissions officers and college advisors from across the southeast work with students in small groups and one-on-one to cover all aspects of the college application and financial aid processes.
Download overviewSessions include scholarship essay writing, college searches, and a mini-college fair, as well as opportunities to meet other students and preview campus life. Parents/guardians of accepted students will be invited to attend a financial aid workshop and orientation in late May and early June.
Students and volunteer group leaders will be housed in a dorm on Sewanee’s campus, just 45 minutes from Chattanooga. Transportation, rooms, meals, and materials are all paid by PEF, Sewanee, and other generous sponsors. For accepted students, there will be a $25 non-refundable enrollment fee.
Camp College will host up to 75 rising seniors who meet the following criteria:
It’s never too early for students to consider their post-high school plans. In 2021, PEF added an introductory component called Camp College for Rising Juniors. The 1-day planning retreat will be hosted on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and serves as an opportunity for rising juniors to get ahead of the journey by learning from experts and each other about making a smooth transition from high school to college. Students work in small groups to discuss topics including mock admissions, financing college, best college fit, business expectations, and a campus tour.
Download overviewFor rising seniors, Camp College provides insight, guidance, and support for students and their families as they prepare for post-secondary success.
Designed for juniors and seniors in Hamilton County public schools, STEP-UP provides students access to a robust internship and career training program.
Gateway Scholars pairs students with a College Access Mentor to ensure all students have the support needed to successfully navigate post-secondary life.
Project Inspire is a unique teacher preparation initiative that uses a residency model to prepare teachers to thrive in schools across Hamilton County.
STEM Fellows is a year-long cohort designed to help teachers grow as instructional experts, teacher leaders, and community connectors.
Innovative Educator Fellows is a unique professional development experience seeks to develop a network of innovative educators who imagine, pilot, and lead efforts to scale effective educational initiatives for all students.
FFT enriches the personal and professional growth of teachers by supporting them as they identify and pursue opportunities around the world.
Volkswagen eLabs are state of the art digital fabrication labs that transform how students engage in STEM through rapid prototyping technology.
