Fredericksburg Parent

20 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • March 2025 Even if your child is just finishing middle school, it's not too early to start thinking about what comes after high school. College is on the horizon, and the opportunity to start learning about potential schools and developing the skills necessary to succeed is now. For our oldest child, Andrew, a little time spent over the sum- mer at a William & Mary camp proved inspiring when he was just entering high school. In addition to giving him the oppor- tunity to explore what it's like to live away from home for a week, it also gave him an opportunity to go deeper into what he thought at the time he wanted to do – astronomy – and discover a new field that inspired him to pursue his passion - Languages. Not every camper will experience that dramatic a turnaround, but they will be exposed to a world of ideas and possibilities that they don't have access to in high school. Further, working with people who are genuine experts in their fields gives young minds an appreciation for what it means to move beyond the obvious to explore the unknown. Many Virginia universities offer camps tailored to the next gen- eration of college students, or kids just interested in stretching their minds. Which one is right for you? Use our guide to help you decide. Inspiring Summer Camps for High School Students PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAMS If your child is college-bound, these programs will give them a small taste of what's to come in the classroom. Explore the range of learn- ing possible, or just relish in the variety of students and ideas you'll encounter. 2025 Summer Enrichment Program at the University of Mary Washington July 13-19 Rising 10th-12th Graders Cost: $1,200 - covers tuition, room and board, course materials, field trip transportation, and recreational activities. Fee reductions may be available for eligible students. For a week, students get to explore a range of classes from photogra- phy and the arts, to math and genetics. It's an opportunity to explore college life, become familiar with the campus and faculty at UMW, and take those first tentative steps toward higher education Northern Virginia Community College Bridge Program Application Deadline: March 9 For high school juniors and seniors, this free program will help students decide if a career in engineering technology, data center operations, information technology, or computer science are right for you. Pre-Summer College Institute at Virginia State University Dates Not Provided Cost: Not Provided The Summer Transportation Institute is a four-week program for stu- dents interested in pursuing a career in the expansive world of trans- portation. Consult the website for more information. WRITTEN BY MARTIN DAVIS Summer Offers Options for Exploration and Experimentation

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