What happens at IPSE programs when students leave for the summer? Even though campus becomes calmer without the hustle and bustle of thousands of college students, campus is far from empty. Across the country, many IPSE programs continue creating meaningful learning opportunities through summer programs that help students prepare for college and adulthood.
My name is Christy Jolliff, and I serve as the Academic Coordinator for Sooner Works at the University of Oklahoma. As part of the Sooner Works team, I’ve had the privilege of partnering with Precollegiate Programs to welcome fresh young faces through Sooner Works Summer Academy (SWSA). According to camp counselor Mary Clare Torres, “Sooner Works Summer Academy provides high school students with the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in every aspect of college life on the OU campus.” Since 2023, Sooner Works has opened its doors for high school students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities who want to experience college life. Although Sooner Works is currently the only IPSE program in Oklahoma that offers this type of experience, more than 40 IPSE programs nationwide offer summer opportunities ranging from day camps to residential experiences and bridge programs (Think College, 2026).
Summer programs vary in format, but they all provide opportunities for students to strengthen crucial transition skills related to learning, employment, daily living, self-determination, and community involvement. Some offer day camps where students come to campus during the day to learn these skills and participate in activities. Others offer overnight camps where students live in the dorms for a few days and experience campus life. There are also bridge programs that provide a smooth transition for incoming IPSE students to arrive at campus and practice valuable skills before campus is filled by the entire student body. Regardless of the type of summer program, they all provide valuable opportunities for students to enhance their skills and prepare for life in and beyond college. My hope is that sharing how Sooner Works implements our Summer Academy will inspire other programs to create similar opportunities. I also hope young people, their families, teachers, and other professionals will discover a wide variety of IPSE summer programs that are available across the country.
On the first afternoon of SWSA, students and their families carry suitcases into the residence halls, meet their roommates, and move into a dorm. For some campers, this is the first time they’ve spent several nights away from home, making the experience both exciting and emotional. Others eagerly embrace the opportunity for greater independence. After a brief orientation, students say goodbye to their families and begin meeting each other and the camp counselors who will mentor and supervise them during their four-day adventure. These counselors, including university students, Sooner Works support staff, and Sooner Works alumni, are valuable mentors, role models, and supervisors throughout their stay. Our counselors, including Haylea Pate, described this as a positive experience: “We got to see the students experience what it’s like to navigate campus, engage with classroom content, and have fun with their peers!”
Once the campers have settled into their dorms, their days quickly begin to resemble those of college students. They start by eating breakfast in the Couch Cafeteria before hurrying to the College of Education for class. During the day, campers attend five sessions, which are designed to mirror the college classroom experience. Since Sooner Works has partnered with the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation (OKDRS) to deliver Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) during this time, our sessions are designed to engage students in activities that teach them skills within the five core Pre-ETS categories: self-advocacy, work-based learning, post-secondary education counseling, job exploration counseling, and workplace readiness training (TransitionOK.org). This partnership empowers us to combine more typical fun summer camp activities with intentional instruction in transition and employment skills. Sandwiched between swimming, scavenger hunts, and sports, we provide skill development that can help them reach their post-school goals. Most importantly, through the funding provided by OKDRS, the cost of attending SWSA is greatly reduced for Oklahoma residents.
By the time we are handing out camp awards at the end of the week, campers have navigated campus, eaten in the dining hall, attended college-style classes, built friendships, and practiced living away from home, all while discovering that college is a place where they belong. For many campers, college shifts from feeling like a distant dream to becoming a realistic possibility. Similarly, families pick up campers with greater confidence and a new awareness of what the college experience has to offer. When reflecting on her experience, Grace Medina, a Sooner Works alumna and camp counselor, said, “I loved getting to know the campers and watching them grow throughout the week and become more independent. I was able to help them feel more comfortable at camp through my own experiences going through the Sooner Works program. Being a counselor for the Sooner Works Summer Academy has made me realize what I meant to do in life and what I’m good at.” Grace’s experience reflects something that many people discover during Summer Academy. It doesn’t just change the lives of campers. It also shapes counselors, staff, and families who share in the experience. Summer Academy is more than a place to learn how to sleep in a dorm, navigate campus, or swipe a meal card. It’s the realization that college is a place to learn, belong, and build a future.
Author’s Note: I used ChatGPT as a writing and editorial assistant during the drafting process to help improve organization, clarity, and readability. All experiences, opinions, and final editorial decisions are my own.
References
https://thinkcollege.net/resource/program-descriptions/summer-programs