In a time where a college degree is the key to success and a high school diploma narrowly pays the bills, youths have hope. Children not typically destined for college have hope. The Upward Bound program and camps provide that hope.

Eastern hosted an Upward Bound camp for the University of Illinois on Friday and Saturday, with nearly 60 in attendance.

This two-day camp allows the students to experience a day on a college campus, said Matt Boyer, conference coordinator.

The high school students and chaperones, the majority from the Champaign-Urbana area, received a full tour of the campus, visited the TRiO and Gateway offices and experienced campus dining.

A little recreation was also planned for the group, including an ice cream social and an academic bowl, so students could engage in educational and friendly competition.

Upward Bound is a program that prepares participants for college by providing academic support, personal and career counseling, and cultural enrichment.

The program aids students who are low income, first generation military veterans; students who come from low-income families; or students who come from families where neither parent has a bachelor’s degree.

Each student within the Upward Bound program receives a grant from William Hoff, junior assistant to director and assistant director of Upward Bound at U of I, that covers all of their expenses, said Boyer.

Eastern has hosted the Upward Bound program for 12 years.

The program allows students to travel to other schools to receive firsthand experience of the colleges, giving them many options.

“The goal of the Upward Bound program is to continue (the students’) education,” said Boyer.