College Prep Week
In-Person College Prep Week 2026
Sunday, June 14th - Friday, June 19th, 2026
Virtual College Prep Week 2026
Sunday, July 12th - Friday, July 17th, 2026
Applications are LIVE!
Apply to College Prep Week 2026 Now!
Applications for GVSU In-Person and Virtual College Prep Week 2026 are now Live! Click below or scan the QR code to apply through CampDoc. If you are a returning camper, log in to your CampDoc account and register for this year's session!
In-Person College Prep Week Spots Limited - Maximum of 100 Students
Student & Family Virtual Information Sessions
We will be hosting 30-minute virtual information sessions for students and families to get more information about College Prep Week 2026 and ask any questions they may have! Two of the four sessions will be geared toward students from the Detroit area to discuss transportation options available from Detroit to GVSU for camp.
Detroit Student Sessions
- Wednesday, May 27th @ 7:00-7:30PM
- Sunday, May 31st @ 2:00-2:30PM
All Other Student Sessions
- Wednesday, June 3rd @ 7:00-7:30PM
- Sunday, June 7th @ 2:00-2:30PM
High School Counselors & School Leaders
Click below to download copies of our In-Person and Virtual College Prep Week 2026 flyers to hang in your school! If you have any questions about supporting students with their camp applications and supporting documents, please reach out to the camp contacts found below.
What is CPW?
Each summer, the GVSU Division of K-12 Education Innovation and Scholar Success invites high school 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade students from GVSU-authorized charter schools to participate in a week of academic and cultural exploration. During College Prep Week, students from across Michigan take a deep dive into everything Grand Valley State University offers to experience what it is like to be a college student!
What to Expect
In-Person College Prep Week
When you come to the Valley Campus in Allendale for College Prep Week, our college summer simulator program, you jump right into a non-stop schedule that keeps you moving, learning, and having fun. Many of the activities focus on college preparation, personal growth, and stepping out of your comfort zone to try something new!
College Preparation
- Campus tours
- Staying in the dorms
- Exploring campus and what you want to study
- Student Success Classes
- Connect with GVSU students and faculty
- Learn about college resources and student support
- Guest speakers
- Free GVSU college application
- Mental Health Workshop
Adventures & Activities
- Full Day at Michigan's Adventure
- Explore downtown Grand Rapids and local business
- Lasertag, Ninja Warrior courses, and more!
- Team-building challenges
- Prize drawing to win GVSU swag!
Professional Preparation
- Resume-building
- Personal management skill development
- Prepare for professional settings
- Practicing presenting to an audience
Virtual College Prep Week
Another option available to students is a completely virtual College Prep Week experience! This opportunity allows students to participate in fun, engaging online activities, connect with other students from across the state, and focus on college preparation!
College Preparation
- Math 4 Success SAT Preparation
- Connect with GVSU students and faculty
- Learn about college resources and student support
- Free GVSU college application
- Mental Health Workshop
Activities
- Virtual Escape Rooms
- Engaging Group Games
- Guest Speaker
Professional Preparation
- Resume-building
- Personal management skill development
- Prepare for professional settings
- Practicing presenting to an audience
The Staff
Leadership
The GVSU College Prep Week is led by the Charter Through College Team. Shelby Powell, Dogan Copeland, and Dr. Barry Hall - along with other members of the GVSU Division of K-12 Education Innovation and Scholar Success team - plan the major details of the week and are often working "behind the scenes" as the students participate in the day's activities.
Shelby Powell, LCSW
Dogan Copeland, M.Ed.
Assistant Camp Director & Thompson and Charter Scholars Pre-College Success Coordinator
(616) 331-5204
Dr. Barry Hall II, MBA, M.Ed., Ed.D.
Camp Leadership & Senior Director of Charter Through College Programs
(616) 331-6941
Genevieve Reside, M.Ed.
College Prep Week Navigators
The GVSU Division of K-12 Education Innovation and Scholar Success recruits current GVSU undergraduate students to be "camp navigators." These students are typically in their sophomore, junior, and senior years of college and provide the high school students with insight about the college experience. They work alongside the high school students throughout the entire week and help answer questions.
Student Testimonials
Hear what students had to say about their College Prep Week experience!
My favorite part were the classes; they helped me understand things that I was unsure about.
I’m leaving CPW feeling much more confident about what resources I can use to help me prepare for college and college success.
Dr. B helped me to realize that the only thing holding me back is myself, and without pushing myself through life, I won’t get anywhere.
My favorite part of CPW were the classes. They helped learn things I didn’t know and confirm what I do know.
Thank you to all of the team members for having the chance to share so many good memories with me. Thank you all for the support and help with everything. Thank you for the love and joy and time.
The mental health class was my favorite because, as a person with anxiety, learning how to manage life when it gets bad is very important. As it was said anxiety can pop up out of nowhere and find effective ways to deal with it will help long-term.
My favorite part of CPW was meeting the navigators and learning about their lives in college.