‘Pathfinders’ helps low-income kids consider college an option

In the Pathfinders Summer Program held at IU this month, teens have a chance to experience college life through eating meals in dining halls, attending classes and visiting culture centers on campus.\nThe program caters to children from low-income families, minorities and those who will be the first in their families to go to college, said Mary Tourner, director of the Office of Community and School Partnerships.\n“Kids start making decisions about college in middle school,” she said. \nShe added that the Pathfinders program helps those who “may not think about college as an option to consider it.”\nThrough a partnership with 21st Century Scholars, which works to increase graduation rates among high school and college students in Indiana, the kids receive scholarships that pay for the five-day program, Turner said. Although, she added, “many parents said they would still send their kids if they had to pay.” \nThroughout the month, sixth, seventh and eighth graders have visited campus. Some of the activities for the kids include visits to the Asian, Black, Latino and Native American cultural centers on campus, meals in a dining hall on campus, bowling and billiards at the union, classroom time and production of a newsletter recapping the week. \n“The program is purposely planned with little free time,” Tourner said. “We want them to be busy enjoying campus.”\nThe Pathfinders Summer Program began in 2000 with about 20 students and saw a steady expansion to its current size of about 250 students, Tourner said. She said the program’s growth has stabilized and they might have to put a cap on the enrollment to keep it manageable, due to availability of funding and volunteers.\nStudents applying to the program are required to have at least a 2.5 GPA and need letters of recommendation from a teacher and counselor, in addition to filling out an application, according to the Pathfinders Web site. \nThe classroom portion of the program is hosted by IU professors who donate their time to teach the classes. In addition, graduate and undergraduate students volunteer to help supervise the kids. \nGraduate student Meagan Mitchell is the program’s assistant coordinator and plans the kids’ activities. She added that her day begins at 4 p.m. and does not usually end until 1 a.m., but she said she feels it’s worth the time commitment.\nBloomington resident Peyton Womock, 11, attended the program and said he enjoyed it.\n“The first day was fantastic,” he said. “We saw a movie, met new people and slept in a dorm for the first time.” \nHe added that he hopes to participate in the Pathfinders program next year and wants to attend IU when he is older to study science and possibly become a doctor.\nMost of the program participants call Indiana home, but Hannah Sparks, 12, came all the way from Houston. She said her favorite activity was swimming at the outdoor pool, and her favorite meal was pizza. Hannah also said she discovered there is more to the college life than juggling classes, entertainment and meals. \n“I learned to walk more; we walked a lot lately,” she said.