Nationally, less than 2.5% of foster children who turn 18 and “age out of the system” will graduate from a four-year college or university.

Less than 2% of those complete a bachelor’s degree before they turn 25. Compare that with 24% of the general population.

Husband and wife Chad and Pam Prashad, both from the Class of  2002 want to change these numbers.

A Summer Camp for Foster Children

The Prashads are teaming up with Fostering Great Ideas, a nonprofit devoted to improving the lives of foster children, to offer a college-bound camp at PC for those in foster care. The purpose of the first-ever camp is to encourage the kids to reach for higher education.

“The idea is to bring high-schoolers to PC for one week to experience how beautiful and comforting college can be and acknowledge the difference between college and high school,” Chad said.

“I want them to know that they are valuable and should value themselves enough to pursue their realizing their potential and instead of being victims of their circumstances, should be empowered by their perspective on the world.”

Paving the Way to College

Fourteen rising eighth through 11th grade students will spend July 7 to 12 at PC. Fostering Great Ideas counselors will serve as camp counselors for the week. They’ll encourage the children and youth in foster care to aspire to go to college in classes that focus on:

• Building healthy relationships
• Developing the campers’ sense of self-worth
• Enhancing their social skills
• Expanding their minds
• Learning positive coping skills
• Learning team-building skills

“Although our campers will only be together for a week, my plan is to develop a year-round hands-on strategy to encourage them to continue their quest for higher education and continue on a positive path,” said Latece Logan, camp director and program manager with Fostering Great Ideas.

“A natural home”

The campers will also enjoy evening activities this summer. Campers and counselors will cook a full-course meal together during “Family Dinner Night.”

“Sharing and Caring” will be a time for campers to talk about feelings and learn different perspectives.

“PC was started in 1880 for orphans and has maintained the tradition of service since then – so it’s a natural home for the camp,” Chad said.

“Further, PC’s student body is diverse in background, including socio-economic and family structures.

“The PC community has been supportive of the camp. PC is a welcoming place where these kids should be able to mature into confident adults.”

“While We Live, We Serve”

The Office of Religious Life & Service is helping to bring the Fostering Great Ideas camp to campus. To learn more about the culture of service at PC, please visit Religious Life & Community Engagement.