Empowering Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Students - CAMP holds Annual Orientation

From August 16 to 18, the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) successfully conducted its annual orientation aimed at providing essential support and resources to students from migrant and seasonal farmworker backgrounds and to their families as they all embark on this higher education journey.

CAMP, a federally funded initiative, is committed to ensuring that students from migrant and seasonal farmworker backgrounds receive the necessary financial assistance, academic support services, and cultural enrichment opportunities during their pivotal first year at university. This program empowers students to overcome barriers, excel academically, and fully embrace their college experience.

The recently concluded annual CAMP orientation event proved to be a significant milestone in this mission. The orientation brought together 30 incoming CAMP scholars along with their parents, offering them a platform for getting acquainted with their new peers and the campus, as well as with the resources available to them. 

Throughout the three-day orientation, parents and students had the opportunity to participate in various workshops and interactive sessions designed to facilitate a seamless transition to university life. The event featured introductions to key staff members who play a crucial role in supporting CAMP scholars during their academic journey, fostering a sense of community and familiarity and establishing a strong foundation for the students' success.

By actively engaging parents in the orientation process, CAMP affirms the significance of familial support in students' success. Parents were encouraged to participate in discussions and gain insights into the higher education landscape, enabling them to be better equipped to assist their children throughout their college journey.

We extend our gratitude to the exceptional individuals who contributed their expertise and dedication to make the CAMP orientation a resounding success: Juanita Gonzalez,  Employment & Training Youth Workforce Consultant at Community Council of Idaho in Blackfoot;  Diana Carrillo, HR Business Partner at Cooper Norman; Amy Christensen, Director of TRIO Veterans Program; Storm Jansson, Assistant Director of TRIO Educational Talent Search; and John Koudelka, Director of the Applied Visualization Laboratory at the Idaho National Laboratory. Their dedication and support have made a lasting impact on our CAMP scholars as they embark on their academic journey and we thank them for their unwavering commitment.