Summer is fast approaching, and so is registration for Pasadena ISD’s GEAR UP summer camp. GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a six-year federal grant that is designed to encourage students to pursue education after high school graduation and serves more than 2,800 eighth graders at eight of Pasadena ISD’s 10 intermediate schools.

The camp is open to all Pasadena ISD eighth graders who passed all eighth grade classes and TAKS exams. The program will be held June 16-26, Monday through Thursday.

Registration is being held at individual campuses from April 21-25. The camp registration fee is $20 per student, which includes breakfast and lunch every day, a camp T-shirt, backpack, GEAR UP school supply kit, field trip, transportation and a family awards ceremony and dinner at the end of the two weeks. District transportation will be provided for all participating students.

Late registration is $25 and will be held June 9-10 in the Advanced Academics Office at the Pasadena ISD Administration Building from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The camp is broken up into two sections: the College Summer Institute and the Campus Summer Institute. The College Summer Institute is tailored for students going into Pre-AP courses in the ninth grade. English, geometry and fine arts courses will be offered for students at San Jacinto College’s central campus.

The Campus Summer Institute is for all other eighth graders who want to attend the camp. Each student will participate in the Acceleration Academy where they will become detectives as they solve crimes involving math, science and reading. Students will also be able to take one of the following classes:

*  The Leadership Academy is for students interested in being future school leaders. Students will learn leadership skills and participate in community service projects.
*  Robotics Camp is ideal for students interested in robotics, technology and engineering. Students will have the opportunity to work with NASA while designing their robot.
*  In the Culinary Arts class, students will learn food preparation techniques. This class is tailored toward students who are interested in being a chef, restaurant manager, bakery owner and more.
*  The Journalism class will teach students how to write stories, conduct interviews, edit papers and photography. Students will help create a GEAR UP newspaper and work with professional videographers.
*  In Theatre Arts students will learn all components of theater including but not limited to acting, directing, sound, props and stage setup. This class is ideal for students planning to take drama in high school.

Students will also take field trips during the camp based on the second class they choose to take.

Pasadena ISD’s GEAR UP coordinator Karen McCarley said she encourages eligible students to sign up for the camp because it will help them stay on top of their learning during the summer months.

“Learning should extend beyond the school year,” she said. “This camp will provide experiences and endless possibilities for the students who participate. We have a lot to offer in this camp with specialized curriculum designed to help students transition comfortably from the eighth to ninth grade.”

For registration times and further information, please contact the GEAR UP Coordinator at your eighth grader’s campus.

Sarah Carnes
San Jacinto and Southmore intermediate schools
713-447-9684

Laurie Etnyre
Park View and Bondy intermediate schools
713-447-9329

Stefanie McKinney
Beverly Hills and Thompson intermediate schools
281-796-2482

Neitzy Retta
South Houston and Miller intermediate schools
713-447-9666

Pilar Retta
Jackson and Queens intermediate schools
713-447-9242

Karen McCarley
Administration Building
713-294-3503