Upward Bound Summer and Academic Year Opportunities
UMF’s Upward Bound program empowers high school students to prepare for college through engaging academic and personal growth experiences. The program begins with a six-week summer residential session where students live on campus, take classes, and explore college life in a supportive environment.
The School Year
While UB’s summer program is what we’re most known for, there is a lot that happens during the school year, too! UB students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of academic, career/college, and social/cultural events and activities from September to May. The best part? All trips and events put on by UB are completely FREE!
During the school year, Upward Bound students meet monthly with their UB counselor at their high school. In these meetings, students work on study skills, time management, college and career exploration, and so much more! With seniors, there is a special emphasis on the college application process and learning about financial aid.
UB students also get to participate in monthly meetings at their schools! These meetings give students a chance to meet up and hang out with the other UBers at their school. The topics of these meetings can range from building leadership skills, goal setting, or financial literacy, just to name a few. They are run by a staff member at the school (who we call a “Target School Advocate”). Plus, there are always lots of FREE SNACKS!
UB typically holds reunions during the fall, winter, and spring. These day events are held on the UMF campus and are a great way to reconnect with UB friends! Here are some past examples of activities that we’ve done:
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Pumpkin carving/painting
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Visiting a local haunted house
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Sledding
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Seeing a play
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Holiday craft making
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Walking in Farmington’s famous Chester Greenwood Day parade
Students have the opportunity to participate in several college trips held throughout the academic year. While any UB student can participate, special emphasis is placed on seniors and the schools that they’re applying to. While we mostly visit in-state schools, we occasionally venture out to visit schools in the surrounding New England area.
All UB students are eligible to receive tutoring, in-person or remote, from either an Upward Bound professional tutor or peer tutor. Tutoring in almost any high school subject is available throughout the academic year. Students also have access to an online tutoring service that provides 24/7 tutoring access in any subject.
Come and spend the summer with us!
During the summer, UMF Upward Bound hosts a residential program where UB students live on the UMF campus (just like real college students!). They take classes to help prepare them for the following school year, practice and explore career opportunities, learn all about college, and get to participate in lots of fun social & cultural activities!
UB students live on campus in one of UMF’s residence halls from Sunday evening through Friday afternoon. They have the opportunity to live with a roommate, spend free time in the residence hall, and eat in the University’s dining hall.* The food is buffet style (all-you-can-eat), and we have the ever popular chicken nugget night at least once a week!
Summer classes at UB are engaging, hands-on, and are designed to help you become a better student during the school year. Class sizes are intentionally kept small to maximize learning opportunities. All students take the following classes at UB:
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English
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Math
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Science
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Foreign Language
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Success Seminar
Plus, you don’t have to worry about stressful exams or grades! Instead of letter grades, students receive narrative evaluations from each of their teachers at the end of the summer program.
All UB students participate in career development during the summer. Rising juniors take a class called “Career Experience,” where they explore various careers and work on important career skills. Rising seniors + bridge students participate in “Career Experience,” an internship opportunity where they volunteer in the UMF/ greater Farmington community. Examples of past internships include:
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United Way of the Tri-Valley Area
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Sweatt-Winter Early Care & Education Center
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Rustic Roots Farm
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Farmington Public Library
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Franklin Memorial Hospital
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UMF Mail Room
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Sandy River Nursing Home
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LEAP Community Garden
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Wears & Wares
Students are able to participate in fun activities each night at UB! Once a week, we have Special Interest Night, where students get to choose from a wide variety of activities. Some popular examples include:
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Dungeons & Dragons
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Gaga Ball
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Improv Games
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Mario Kart Tournament
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Pride Party
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Jackbox Games
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Ultimate Frisbee
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Geocaching
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Battleship in the FRC Pool
Once a week we also have arts night, which gives students a chance participate in art-related activities. Some popular examples include:
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Jewelry Making
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Improv Games
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Paint Night
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Crochet & Knitting
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Dance
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Tie-Dye
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Music Jam Session
*UMF Upward Bound participates in the USDA Summer Food Service Program. Meals are the same for all students and are provided to all students free of charge, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to or immediately call: USDA Director, Office of Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410(800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY) USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
