ALLENDALE, Mich.— 150 high school students from schools across Michigan are kicking off a series of week-long camps at Grand Valley State University that will help prepare them for life and education after high school.

The two week-long programs, called College Prep Week, run from July 8-July 13 and July 15–July 20.

All of the students taking part in College Prep Week are students in Grand Valley-authorized charter schools and are either entering their junior or senior year of high school. Fifteen different schools are represented, which is the most since the program began. Five schools are represented for the first time ever.

During camp, the students will live like college students, living in residence halls, taking mock classes led by Grand Valley faculty, and participate in activities led by Grand Valley student organizations. They will also take part in “life skills” classes that focus on subjects like professionalism, communication ethics, resume building and personal finance. They will also participate in mock job interviews led by faculty and staff from more than 20 different departments throughout the university.

Students will also take part in cultural exploration activities that highlight distinct aspects of West Michigan. They will spend a day in downtown Grand Rapids and on Grand Valley’s Pew Grand Rapids Campus, and also spend a day around Silver Lake learning about Lake Michigan.

For more information, visit gvsu.edu/cso.