RENO – A new summer camp hosted by University of Nevada, Reno’s Extension aims to provide extra resources and support to increase the number of American Indian youth on a pathway to college. The American Indian/Alaska Native College Prep Camp is June 6-10 at the Nevada State 4-H Camp in South Lake Tahoe.
Students who attend the summer camp will get information on applying for college, getting financial aid, being successful in college and careers available once they complete their degree program. They’ll also participate in activities to build self-esteem and see the attaining a college degree is within reach.
“The camp will help address some of the stresses that are causing American Indian students to not apply to college or complete degrees,” Daniel Coen, American Indian student coordinator for Extension, said. “A lot of these students come from a tight-knit community, so we want to help them and their families with the transition and changes that come with attending college.”
In 2021 Nevada legislators approved for American Indian students fee waivers for the state’s public universities and colleges. The waivers remove the cost of tuition, course fees and some other costs associated with attending college.
Stacey Montooth, executive director of the Nevada Indian Commission, said the waivers were an important step to increasing the number of American Indian students who could continue on to higher education.
“By removing perhaps, the biggest barrier—cost—for our Paiute, Shoshone and Washoe students, this fee waiver is going to positively change the lives of not just our youth, but our families and our Native American communities,” Montooth said.
Registration for the camp is open through June 1. The camp costs $170 per student and includes food, daily camp fees and a t-shirt. Registration is online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/unr-cabnr-american-indian-college-prep-camp-tickets-310122794627.
