(Editor's note: Six "College Camps" are being held throughout the country to give Club teens a camp-like experience to learn the nuts of bolts of attending college. Our teen reporters are at every camp, blogging, doing video interviews and giving Facebook and Twitter updates.)
By Ciara R., BGC of Greater Houston and incoming freshman at the University of Houston majoring in Creative Writing
HOUSTON -- "If you want to get somewhere in life, you have to sweat it out!" When you’re a teenager suffering the blistering summers of the greater Houston area, this saying takes on a deeper meaning, if you catch my drift.
This month I really got to work my sweat glands by attending the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens: Graduate to Go College Camp at the University of Houston. If you’re a college-bound student like myself, this experience offers an opportunity for you to learn more about financial aid, college preparation and life-management skills.
It’s something that goes beyond sitting in a boring old counselor’s office asking questions and collecting pamphlets. Instead of imagining the college life from behind a desk, I slept in a dorm with a roommate, experienced a mini-orientation, graduated and met tons of new friends!
An Official College Camp "Graduate"
The camp counselors even gave me a certificate to hang on my dresser in memory of the commitment I made to graduate high school. It may not seem like a big deal, but when you know that a majority of high school students drop out before earning a cap and gown, you understand how precious a degree is!
During the camp we attended an Astros game at Minute Maid Stadium, where I watched my new friend Ashley throw first pitch. Later, I spent my first night in a dorm room at the Settegast residence hall.
Afterwards, we gathered in the Cougar Den to meet Geoff Blum, third basemen for the Astros and local radio station 97.9 The Box D.J. J-Mac. They shared their college experiences with us and explained that with persistence anyone can earn a college degree.
What a wonderful experience! I feel prepped and ready for the world -- even college!
See Ciara's interview with Houston Astros third baseman Geoff Blum as they talk about college life!
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By Jordan W., BGC of Osh Kosh (Wisc.) and incoming college freshman
MADISON, Wisc. -- I was able to participate in the Taco Bell College Camp Graduate to Go at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Being a college bound student, this experience gave me information about financial aid, college preparation, and life management skills.
The best part about this experience for me was the first thing we did, the scholarship presentation. With the help of JoJo from 103.7 Kiss FM three young adults -- Dylan, Andrea and I -- were awarded $1,000 scholarships for up to five years from Taco Bell! Along with the scholarships each of us got a brand new laptop! A great start in my college career in computers. All thanks to the Taco Bell Foundation.
At the end of this experience each of the students that were in attendance received a certificate of completion. This certificate is not just a piece of paper, it is a symbol of our dedication to school and to getting a degree. Knowing that once every 29 seconds a student becomes a drop out, it makes you realize how important this little piece of paper is.
The reason I went to this experience was to learn more about the college life. I have gone on a couple college tours but none compared to this one. It gave me so much more information that I would not have received by just going on a tour. Thanks to the Taco Bell Foundation and their dedication to teens!
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At the Ole Miss college camp, teen reporter Jonathan interviewed Rebels head football coach Houston Nutt (a Club alum!), former Rebel and former NFL player Ronnie Heard plus the Ole Miss cheerleaders!