PATHS Program Handbook
PATHS

Mission: PATHS creates transformational experiences that bring Utah high schoolers to camps so they can see themselves in higher education, learn critical thinking skills, build supportive relationships, and set themselves up to enter higher education as first-generation students, become role models for others, and become successful in their future pursuits.

Vision: Inspiring and empowering our students to discover their potential and transform their communities.

Values:

• Acceptance, Belonging, & Community
• Education & Learning
• Empowerment
• Self-Actualization
• Action not Reaction

PATHS supports first-generation and under-resourced students whose sights are set on higher education and career pathways. The program is open to students attending any high school within Utah who meet eligibility requirements.

To be eligible, students must be:

• Currently in 8th grade and will be starting high school in the Fall
• First-generation college student (none of their parents have completed college in the US)
• Excited to make new friends and find a community
• Committed to participate for all 4 years of high school

*No minimum GPA required, PATHS is looking for motivated students who have their sights set on higher education.

Apply to PATHS

PATHS runs all-year round with activities in the summer and during the academic year to keep students engaged and able to participate in educational and enriching experiences designed to build skills to succeed in high school and beyond.

• Summer: Prior to the beginning of each school year, students of the program are invited to participate in 2 weeks of summer camp at the University of Utah. These signature experiences should be designed to enrich and deepen the students’ connections to each other, to self-growth and self-improvement, to campus, and to community.
• Academic Year: Throughout the school year, students are expected to continue engaging and communicating with the program. Program staff will utilize several methods to keep students engaged with the program throughout the year in the form of monthly trips, meetings, and milestones.

Students participating in the day camp will be picked up from designated bus stops each morning and transported to the University campus for each day of camp. Once camp concludes, students will be dropped off at the same bus stop. Activities at camp include both rigorous and recreational activities that support the mission, vision, and values of the program. Lunch and snacks will be provided for students daily.

Residential camps provide opportunities for students to experience campus life and build a sense of community with their fellow program participants. Counselors will be present around the clock to provide supervision and ensure student safety while engaging in program activities. Students will be assigned rooms with a roommate for the program. If they have a preferred roommate from within the program, they can indicate that information on their camper forms.

• Curfew: Will typically be at 10:30PM unless otherwise stated by counselors and is strictly enforced. Students must go to their rooms by this time and remain there until the group meets for breakfast the next morning. Students may only leave their rooms in case of emergency and must immediately notify the staff on-site.
• Dorm information: Housing is provided by the Summer Conferences office and dorms may vary. All dorms come with WiFi and guests may log on using the “UGuest” network.

Students are prohibited from bringing ANY of these items to program activities or engaging in the possession, sale, distribution, or dispensation of these substances. If a student brings these substances or is reported to have these substances during program activities, that student’s parent/guardian will be notified immediately. The student will also be dismissed from program activities and sent home promptly. The student may also be suspended or dismissed from the program depending on the severity of the occurrence.

Youth Education and the program do not condone any type of bullying, including but not limited to, physical, verbal, or cyber bullying. Any incidences that occur during program activities and are reported to program staff will result in immediate suspension from the program. Students may be dropped from the program completely depending on the severity of the occurrence.

Youth Education and the Program allow students to bring a cell phone with them to camp. Students are NOT allowed to use their cell phones during program activities as it creates disruptions and distracts from the experience. During free time, students are allowed to use their cell phone. If a cell phone becomes an issue, staff may take them away from the student and return it only at the next designated free time.

The active use of media players, earbuds, cell phones, cameras, gaming devices, or other personal electronic equipment is not permitted during program activities. While they provide convenience and help people live more efficiently, they have been linked to negative social development in youth and create distractions/disruptions during activities. These items must be turned off and placed out of sight during activities. Exceptions to this may be made for health and safety reasons or at the discretion of program staff. Staff reserve the right to hold onto items after giving students a warning and ample time to follow directions. Devices will then be returned at a later time.

All student medications and medical conditions MUST be reported to the program prior to attending program activities so that staff may be aware and adequately prepared to respond to any health or medical issues. Parents should avoid sending students to program activities if they are experiencing any signs of illness (coughing, fever, headache, runny nose, etc.) to prevent the spread of sickness to others. In the event that a student falls ill or is injured during program activities, staff will notify the parent/guardian immediately. If the illness/injury is mild but may affect the student’s or other participants’ ability to participate in activities, the student will be sent home for recovery. In the case of suspected concussion, the student may only return to program activities after providing a letter from a licensed healthcare provider that clears the student to continue activities. If emergency treatments are necessary, staff will work together with parent/guardian(s) about next steps.

“Medication” is any substance a person takes to maintain and/or improve their health. This includes prescription medication, over-the-counter medication, vitamins, and other natural remedies. For students who need to take medication during program activities or camp, a medication agreement must be submitted prior to participation. Staff will make a reasonable effort to best follow the Medication guidelines outlined below. All Medication will be stored in a lockable case for safety and administered according to the written instructions submitted.

Upon arrival at camp, all Medication must be remitted to the designated individual at check-in using the following guidelines:

• Medications should be brought in their original prescription bottles/packaging. Prescription medication must clearly show the Participant’s name, physician name, pharmacy, drug name, dosage, and instructions. Over-the-Counter medication, vitamins or natural remedies must be in their original brand packaging.
• Medications should be kept together in a clear sealable storage bag with the Participant’s name clearly written on the bag.
• Youth Education reserves the right to refuse any Medication that does not comply with the labeling requirements stated above. The amount/quantity of the Medication enclosed should be sufficient to last through the duration of the residential experience.

If program staff are not supplied with enough Medication for the duration of the camp, it will be the responsibility of the parent/guardian to resupply additional Medication. If a Participant is caught taking Medication or sharing Medication during program activities without a signed Medication form, their parent/guardian will be notified immediately. In the case of emergency Medication devices such as Epinephrine or Inhaler, the Medication should be disclosed in accordance with this form, but the device may remain with the student at all times.

Staff are not responsible for personal items brought by students to program activities. However, staff may limit what students can bring if they give students prior notice. For example, staff can request that students not bring game devices to a field trip where they will be watching a play because the device may cause distractions and affect other attendees’ ability to enjoy the show.

Parents/Guardians of registered students grant PATHS and cosponsored partners and programs permission to use any photography and/or video of or written statements made by the student during any PATHS program for marketing purposes.

To ensure the safety of everyone in the program, students are expected to use the following guidelines during program activities:

• Stay with the group or within line-of-sight or hearing range of the group.
• Inform staff of whereabouts such as when going to the restroom or changing room.
• Use the 3-buddy system when traveling around campus. It is usually safer to travel with two companions instead of just one.
• Follow instructions and orders of program staff or authorized emergency professionals during emergency situations.
• Avoid situations where you will be in a closed room with an adult.

PATHS Counselors are adult staff with experience in youth development or youth programs who provide supervision of students and facilitate program activities during the summer. They must pass all required background checks and receive training to ensure the safety of program students.

All program staff are mandated to report any suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to the Division of Child and Family Services.

PATHS Mentors provide advising and supervision of students in the program. They must pass all required background checks and receive training to ensure the safety of program students. During the fall and spring semesters, Mentors engage with students through email correspondence, virtual check-ins, and phone calls when necessary. They also supervise monthly discovery trips and facilitate cohort meetings that cover various topics and skills outlined in the PATHS curriculum. They support students throughout the year as the point of contact for resources and mentorship throughout the program.

These monthly meetings focus on various topics that fit within the goals and values of the program and give students opportunities to put their new skills into practice.

Milestones are a program tool used to track engagement and progress from students. They are released monthly from September to April for all cohorts. Each month will contain a theme or objective for students to complete or achieve. They comprise of short assignments that add value to the student’s experience in PATHS and keep a record of their activities in high school. Students are required to complete these assignments throughout the year to remain in the program.

Program staff use a variety of approved methods to communicate with students:

• Email: All email correspondence from Program staff will be through the program email paths@utah.edu. If students need to reach program staff, they should use this contact always.
• Phone: Parent/Guardian(s) may call Program staff at 801-587-9025 or the Youth Education office at 801-581-6984.
• Text Messaging: The text messaging system used by Program staff is Groupme. This method is used to give updates and make announcements only. Students are discouraged from using this platform to directly communicate with staff because it is not checked regularly and only for sending reminders and updates.

These monthly trips focus on new experiences or opportunities that help students explore future pathways or cultivate important life skills. They incorporate the values and goals of the program and support the program mission. They typically begin in September/October and happen once a month throughout the school year until April/May.

Parent/guardian(s) are required to complete a Liability Waiver and Student Information form for each student participating in the program that must be renewed each year.

Before starting camp, students along with their guardians/parents will be required to attend a camp orientation to receive information they need prior to camp. This will include a kit that will outline rules of conduct, policies and procedures, and program expectations, as well as any relevant forms relating to camp. Students and their guardians/parents will be made aware that there will be zero tolerance for misbehaving in the dorms, and any students that violate the code of conduct and policies outlined in the camper handbook will immediately be dismissed from camp and sent home.

Students must show up at the bus stop prior to the pickup time so that the driver can stay on schedule. Any student who shows up late to the stop will be left behind. Once students are dropped off at the bus stop, a parent/guardian must be present to pick them up. Staff cannot wait for students to be picked up.

Once a student is enrolled in the PATHS program, they will receive a student number in the form of a uNID (uXXXXXXX). This number helps track the student’s activities, and if they matriculate to the University of Utah, this will be the number that they use. If students want to get a UCard, there is a $10 fee to pick one up at the UCard office on campus. A type of ID such as a school ID is required.