It's all about the summer...

The Summer Component begins on Memorial Day and lasts six weeks.  During this time, students live in the college dorms from Sunday evening through Friday afternoon under close supervision.  Tutor/Counselors are hired by the program to supervise residence halls and campus activities and all meals are eaten in the college cafeteria.  The Upward Bound Program busses students to those high schools outside of Knox and Whitley Counties (participants from Knox and Whitley Counties must rely on parents for transportation).  All students return to Union’s campus each Sunday afternoon between 4:00 and 5:00 P.M.

During the day, students attend classes that are closely related to the classes offered in local schools.  Instruction is offered in academic areas such as math, English, writing, foreign language and science.  A personal development class is also offered.  These classes help students to develop personally, socially, and academically.  Enrichment courses are offered during the afternoon hours.  Some of the enrichment classes offered in the past includes rappelling, photography, swimming, pottery, tennis, web design, video editing, as well as, a host of other challenging and technology based courses.

Students receive both personal and academic counseling.  They are exposed to cultural and recreational experiences through Thursday trips taken with staff.   These unique opportunities allow the participants to broaden their knowledge about themselves and the environment in which they live. 

Participation in the Upward Bound Program demands commitment from both parents and students.  Many times tough choices must be made and plans must be rearranged around the required meetings.  The summer college simulation is a very important part of the UB experience - allowing participants to become familiar with the college environment first-hand!  Most students want to know "what's expected of me?" 

This Summer, hiring for Tutor Counselors will begin in March.  These college juniors are trained to work with the participants during the five-week summer component and the final week-long trip. 

         The 2008 Summer Theme is: