GEAR UP Student Leadership Camp: Building Real-World Grit

"Summer programming keeps momentum going. It reinforces skills, builds confidence, and helps students stay connected to their postsecondary goals." — Adrienne Enriquez, Project Director of Oregon GEAR UP

student smashes through a wooden board on cinderblocks — Breaking through barriers! High schoolers push past self-doubt during an intensive focus challenge.

For a student from a small, rural Oregon town, a college campus can feel like a completely different world. But this summer, more than 90 middle and high school students from across the state stepped onto the University of Portland campus not just as visitors, but as future leaders. The 2026 Oregon GEAR UP Student Leadership Camp was a hands-on investment in the grit, confidence, and character these young Oregonians need to bridge the gap between rural communities and higher education.

Coming from tight-knit rural communities all over the state, many of these campers had never seen a major university firsthand. This program gives them a chance to travel, earn a taste of independence by staying in college dorms, and build lasting friendships. By walking the halls and living the campus life themselves, college stops looking like a distant dream and becomes a clear, achievable goal they know they can work towards.

Students pointing to a lake — These campers put their heads together to navigate the university grounds.

Ownership and Confidence

To build true leadership, you have to step out of your comfort zone. Oregon GEAR UP partnered with the experts at SEEDS Training to give students the practical tools to do exactly that, focusing on two core principles:

Personal Ownership ("Living Above the Line"): Campers learned the value of personal accountability. Instead of blaming others or giving up when things get tough, they practiced turning mistakes into lessons. This training builds the grit and mental toughness required to push through adversity and lead others effectively.
Conquering Self-Doubt ("No FIMAGE"): Students worked to drop their "Fear of Image." By learning to tune out peer pressure and worry less about what others think, they developed the inner strength to stand up for what's right and lead by example.

Students put these lessons to work right away. After mornings spent in intensive workshops, they spend their afternoons tackling demanding team challenges—including a campus-wide scavenger hunt and a final exercise where they literally smashed through their own fears written on wooden boards.

student prepares to smash through a wooden board on cinderblocks — Focus, grit, and determination. A camper readies his strike to practice taking direct ownership of overcoming their barriers.

A group of students jumping in front of a building — Pure joy and zero "FIMAGE!" Middle schoolers celebrate their win in the outdoor team challenge.

Living the College Life

This week was a practical opportunity for students to practice growing up. By living on campus, these young people got a real taste of independence—it was up to them to manage their own schedules, get to bed on time, make good choices in the dining hall, and show up to their training sessions ready to work. While our dedicated staff provided full supervision to ensure a safe, structured environment, giving students the space to step up and take care of themselves built genuine confidence for the real world.

To prepare them for the next level, they were held to the high standards of actual college students:

Personal Accountability: Campers stayed in university dorm rooms and took full ownership of their own schedules, morning routines, and time management.
Real-World Focus: Cell phones were put away during training sessions. This rule encouraged students to log off, look each other in the eye, and practice the face-to-face communication and discipline needed in today's workforce.
Campus Life: Students navigated the campus grounds and dining halls just like undergraduates. Through official university tours, they learned firsthand exactly what kind of personal focus and work ethic it takes to succeed in higher education and life.

students posing in front of a building that reads "university of Portland Chiles Center" — Mission accepted! Students strike a pose at the Chiles Center during the campus Goosechase scavenger hunt.

a large group of students and adults raising their hands for a group picture — A stronger Oregon, built together. Our high school group waving from the University of Portland lawn.

Forging a Brighter Future for Our State

By completing this week of training, these students gained real-world skills, built solid friendships, and mapped out a clearer route toward higher education and steady careers.

The momentum built at camp continues long after the week ends. To help families turn this summer experience into long-term results, Oregon GEAR UP provides a year-round resource through our statewide initiative, Oregon Goes To College.

Oregon Goes To College is the first and best place to learn about getting ready for college. We take the guesswork out of what comes next and break the college going process down into clear milestones. No matter where you are on the path, the checklists and guidance you need are all right here, helping the next generation take direct ownership of their future.