Rutgers–Camden Youth Programs Open Doors to Higher Education

Over the summer, Rutgers University in Camden hosted more than 150 students in grades four through 12 participating in the IGNITE and Rutgers Future Scholars youth programs. Although not yet old enough to attend college, they experienced the ample opportunities available through higher education during a four-week immersion program.

The Rutgers–Camden IGNITE program, funded by a grant from the Department of Education, has served fourth- through eighth- grade students in the North Camden community for more than a decade. Over the summer, IGNITE includes academic enrichment sessions and field trips in its curriculum. During the academic year, the program supports students in language arts and math.

IGNITE incorporates literacy and the arts at the start of each summer morning with an affirmation called Harambee, which means “let’s pull together” in Swahili. Students learn a motivational song complete with hand movements and makeshift bucket drums. Rutgers–Camden guest readers were also invited to read books each day. This daily routine had an intentional aim.

Rutgers Camden Ignite students take part in a gardening activity

Rutgers Camden Ignite students take part in a gardening activity

“We want to expose our kids to Rutgers and let them know we're here not just for them, but for their families too,” said IGNITE Coordinator Tinishia Bass. “We've had many IGNITE students who have gone on to Rutgers–Camden and later worked with us as Education Ambassadors. So we’re able to see how it works in full swing.”

IGNITE students and teachers take a quick break from a gardening project outside of the Office of Civic Engagement.

IGNITE students and teachers take a quick break from a gardening project outside of the Office of Civic Engagement.

IGNITE students venture to a fishing lesson with community partner The Center for Aquatic Sciences on a field trip to Cramer Hill Waterfront Park in Camden.

Students in the IGNITE program patiently wait for their first catch with instruction from community partner The Center for Aquatic Sciences on a field trip to the Cramer Hill Waterfront Park in Camden. The IGNITE students ultimately caught seven fish on the trip.

Success! An IGNITE student catches a fish on a field trip to the Cramer Hill Waterfront Park in Camden.

Over the summer, IGNITE shares many learning and recreational spaces with its sister program, Rutgers Future Scholars (RFS), which offers pre-college pathways for rising eighth graders up to their senior year of high school. The program has provided mentorship, programming, and career skills support to first-generation, low-income students since 2008. Tuition is free once a scholar is admitted to any Rutgers institution.

“The program came out of a need from communities that people say are at risk or disadvantaged,” said Kayla Rodriguez, RFS program coordinator. “And so we wanted to shift that narrative and say that students who are from these communities can be great, can access higher education, and make a difference in this world.”

Rodriguez described the Rutgers–Camden location as unique because of its collaborative effort, supporting not just the scholars but also their families. “We have a large population of Spanish-speaking families. So we're trying to figure out a way that they can come onto the Rutgers campus and find resources in the community to get English classes,” she said.

Rutgers Future Scholars demonstrate the skills they learned in a martial arts summer academy course at the RFS Summer Showcase, held at the Walter K. Gordon Theater.

Rutgers Future Scholars demonstrate the skills they learned in a martial arts summer academy course at the RFS Summer Showcase, held at the Walter K. Gordon Theater.

Students, family, and friends cheer on Rutgers Future Scholars at the RFS Summer Showcase, held at the Walter K. Gordon Theater.

Students, family, and friends cheer on Rutgers Future Scholars at the RFS Summer Showcase, held at the Walter K. Gordon Theater.

Rutgers Future Scholars perform choreography they learned in dance class during the summer academy at the RFS Summer Showcase, held at the Walter K. Gordon Theater.

During the academic year, the Rutgers Future Scholars meet on campus once a month to discuss topics ranging from self-empowerment and civic engagement to career exploration and, as students reach closer to college age, applications and financial aid forms.

Rodriguez said her team works hard to infuse the summer program with a dose of fun. “We are always asking how can we make it so it doesn't feel like school," she said. "We have fun, but you’ve got to make sure students feel a sense of reward or a good time at the end of the week.” This year, students could choose from electives like 3D art, dance, or martial arts. In a photography course, students practiced setting up and capturing headshots of one another; they later used those images to create their first LinkedIn profiles. They also ventured to Phildelphia to take in the Museum of Illusions and skate at the RiverRink.

Rutgers Future Scholars travel across the river and onto the ice on a field trip to the RiverRink SummerFest in Philadelphia.

Rutgers Future Scholars travel across the river and onto the ice on a field trip to the RiverRink SummerFest in Philadelphia.

Rising senior Iana Torres first learned of Rutgers Future Scholars when a program representative visited her middle-school class. Now in her fifth year of RFS, Torres recalled one moment in her scholar journey that shaped her future. The aspiring vocalist had begun writing her own music and had shared this with an RFS mentor, who arranged on-campus studio time for her.

Rutgers Future Scholars take headshots of one another in a photography course at the summer academy.

Rutgers Future Scholars at the Museum of Illusions in Philadelphia.

Rutgers Future Scholars visit the Museum of Illusions

“Rutgers Future Scholars is full of opportunities, not just academics,” Torres said. “That’s something important to me as I start my dream career.”

Bass hopes her younger IGNITE students see the opportunities as well.

“We have a goal to guide them through the college pipeline," Bass said. "We want them to know they have options after they graduate high school. It’s such a big world for them.”

_{Creative Design: Karaamat Abdullah}
_{Photographer: Ron Downes, Jr.}