I am thrilled to be the advisor for 2 high school girls pursuing their Girl Scout Gold award.  They are both passionate about the environment and have used their talents to design a Go Green curriculum for preschoolers.  I saw another great story in the news this week about a teen who collected Halloween costumes so that kids in a low income apartment can have a chance to celebrate this wonderful tradition.  College students at Gustavus are signing up to be mentors to area kids through the Big Partners Little Partners program. 

• Offer to rake leaves for an older neighbor.
• Pick up some extra items at the grocery store and bring them to a food shelf.
• Hold a garage sale and donate the proceeds to your favorite charity.
• Gather a group of friends and pick up litter.
• Offer to make and deliver a healthy dinner to a new parent.
• Sign up to mentor a child.  There are almost always kids on waiting lists and never enough mentors.
• Write an old fashioned letter to 3 people who could really use a day brightener eg. college student, senior citizen, someone recovering from an illness, someone in the armed forces.

Additional ideas and resources:

www.connectedforcollege.com/Library.asp 

www.handsonnetwork.org       

www.mpmn.org

www.dosomething.org

Coincidentally, just this week I had the opportunity to speak to parents of two children that were in my kindergarten classroom years ago and who are now seniors in high school.  It seems like just yesterday that they were coming to school for the first time.   It is exciting for me to think that I had a hand in laying the foundation of their academic preparation, yet it also made me realize how much these two students have experienced since those days of playing with blocks and learning to write their names.   How quickly the time goes!   I also realized that just like taking time during the summer to prepare for the start of a new school year, it is never too early to students to start preparing for college.  Connected for College is an excellent resource for families to help their children navigate the road map through their formative years.  It gives you the tools that are necessary to plan ahead and be prepared so that you won’t be taken by surprise when the time comes to start filling out those college applications.   As we start a new school year, take time to check out Connected for College and all of the resources it has to offer.  It is never too early! 

Top 5 Reasons To Do MN Private College Week

¨      Walking across campus is a good workout

¨      Good excuse for your parents to take a day off of work

¨      Something fun to do with a friend

¨      Private colleges have yummy food

¨      More information for you  = better decision on the right college fit

Bring your list of questions along and then record your impressions.  What programs caught your interest?  Can you picture yourself in that environment?  Print out Connected for College’s College Scorecard  for easy reference www.connectedforcollege.com/library  

Private colleges may be more affordable than you think so don’t discount them based on initial sticker price.  These schools have generous endowment funds and are anxious to attract students of diverse experiences with solid academic performance and a desire to contribute to campus life.  According to the MN Private Colleges website, “92% of students receive grants and scholarships – money that does not have to be paid back.  In 2007-08, the average amount families paid for tuition was $14,049, or 53% of the posted price.”   Keep your options open and you may be pleasantly surprised!

Check out school profiles at www.mnprivatecolleges.org and then map out a plan to visit your favorites.  You don’t need to be a senior to participate.  Register on line or call 1-800-PRI-COLL (1-800-774-2655) for more information. 

Many parents can remember long summer days spent outside, coming home only for dinner.  Families took their station wagon cross country, visiting state parks along the way.  Kids organized impromptu baseball games with neighborhood friends or rode their bikes to a local fishing hole.  Kids were not scheduled into formal classes, but left to find their own entertainment fueled by boredom and then creativity. 

Challenge yourself to try something new in nature or ask a parent for retro suggestions.  Visit the www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org for a list of local happenings or try one of Connected for College’s ideas below:

·         Pick your own strawberries or go to a farmer’s market

·         Bike with friends to your favorite lake or ice cream shop

·         Go fishing.  Minnesotans 16 or older, who take a kid fishing who is 15 or younger, don’t need a license during Take a Kid Fishing Weekend (June 11-13). www.mndnr.gov/takeakidfishing   

·         Canoe or kayak or check out one of the other  free programs at Three Rivers Parks www.threeriversparks.org  

·         Go swimming

·         Host a BBQ and eat dinner outside

Happy Summer!

You can make your summer count!  Check out some of these fun ideas to make the most of your vacation:

Register for Best Prep’s Minnesota Business Venture camp. Stay on a real college campus while learning more about business and careers .  Don’t miss great speakers from organizations like the MN Twins and Dairy Queen.  Participants develop leadership skills for their college resume and scholarships are available.  www.bestprep.org      

Gather a group and volunteer for a cause you care about.  www.dosomething.org and www.unitedwaytwincities.orgare two websites that list lots of opportunities.  Check out Connected for College’s Library for 25 Ways to Make a Difference. 

Get outside and feel the heat.  Roll down a hill, jump off the high dive, go camping or fishing.  Go on a picnic, bike to the beach, play basketball.  There is a new movement to get teens more connected with nature and summer is a great time to start.  Find more Get Connected resources on our College Competencies/Eco Adventure page.  Happy hiking!

Read and relax. Summer wouldn’t be summer without time to recharge – think hammock and good book!   Need suggestions?  Visit Connected for College’s Library for featured titles.  We’d love to hear your suggestions too – just send us an email at info@connectedforcollege.com.