Day 9 - July 18, 2016

Today the two-week students continued service at the Academic Sports Academy and back to class in the afternoon! 

The one-week students had their first day of service and class! The Garden State and the Public Health classes went to Fernbrook Farms in the morning and the STEM class begin planning their project for the week by meeting their professor for directions and then visiting the freshmen dorms on campus! 

Both groups joined together for guest speakers Kari and Maddy, who came to share their experiences in working in local, state and federal government and the importance of being an informed, engaged citizen! 

Tonight is all about homework for all of the classes! Everyone working hard while still having some fun with friends! 

Day 8 - July 17, 2016

The one-week students continued the college essay writing workshops, watched a movie and had a group discussion, participated in a change the world activity and enjoyed some outdoor night games!  

Sunday was another day mostly devoted to homework for the two-week students, but they took a break to travel to Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton! 

Today is national ice cream day, so many students and staff pitched in to get ice cream from Halo Farms (a local favorite)! 

Day 7 - July 16, 2016

Saturday morning both groups participated in a campus scavenger hunt! The winning team was on point with their creative pictures and great TCNJ spirit! 

After the scavenger hunt, the two-week students spent most of their day in study hall working on their large assignments before having a large family dinner and the one-week students participated in their first college essay workshop and then went on a driving tour of Trenton and Princeton. 

All of the students participated in the Talent Show on Friday night! This was the best talent show we have ever had in the Pre-College Program. So many students showed off their skills and it made for an entertaining night! Every year, there is a dance party after the talent show and this year was no exception! 

Many more pictures to come! 

Day 6 - Friday, July 15, 2016

On Friday, the two-week students traveled to Philadelphia and went on a walking tour and visited City Hall, Reading Terminal Market, Independence Mall and Harbor Park. After a long day of walking, the students went to Sweet Lucy’s BBQ for an all you can eat buffet!

Friday was the first day of the program for the one-week students! We did some icebreakers as a group, went to dinner and then both groups came together to meet and break even more ice!

Day 4 & Day 5 - July 13 & July 14, 2016

Students continued service at the Academic Sports Academy and attending class. In addition, the students also went on a tour at the State House and had class at the downtown TrentonWorks office.

More student posts and pictures to come!

Day 3 - Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Tuesday began with service at MLK again.  The students divided themselves by classroom to support a certain age group at ASA.  From service,  the students boarded a school bus with professors Bates and McGreevey and embarked on an informational tour of Trenton. The group visited several historic sites throughout the city, taking the place of class for the day.  In the evening, the group learned about the Library resources on campus and participated in research database and book check out trainings.

Student Posts

“The tour of Trenton today was very interesting. The information that we are studying in class is very similar to actually observing the city.” - History Student

“The steel factory and other industries like it created jobs that gave Trenton's people the opportunity they needed in order to make an income they could survive off of. Not only did these jobs, created by Trenton entrepreneurs generate a livable income for local laborers, but it gave the people protection in the form of unions and community programs.” - History Student

“The overall early history of Trenton is that of a city that was able to prosper being located in between the two most important cities in the country at the time, with easy access to New York and to Philadelphia. Even now the city is bustling with activity by the Capitol building trying to network the country to the state. The Trenton that we are learning about and experiencing are totally different. One was the epicenter for all things industrial in this country, while the other is a highlight of everything that could and can go wrong to a city.” - History Student

“Walking around Trenton allowed me to see things from a new and refreshed perspective.”  - History Student

“At the Academic Sports Academy, I work with Kindergarten and first grade age children. These are the youngest students present at camp, and are easily the most unapologetically themselves. Loud declarations of who their favorite singer is or what their favorite color might be are common, and they can’t wait to tell me all about their lives whenever I see them. All of the children are fairly open to sharing about themselves which as a result gives me a view into their lives and cultural experiences outside of camp.” - Sociology Student

Lunch at Trentini's

Day 2 - Monday July 11, 2016

The students began service at Martin Luther King middle school with the Academic Sports Academy. The program focuses on academic and engagement for K-8th grade students of Trenton Public School system. From there, the students had a lunch break and headed to their first classes with our Pre-College faculty!  In the evening, workshops were held on doing college level homework, reading, and writing.

Student Posts

“I felt like I have been at their summer camp for weeks because the kids seem to act like they knew me and disregard the fact that it was my first time there.  I really enjoyed the first day at MLK Elementary School. It was a great experience and I hope to learn more about Trenton through the Bonner Program. I am very enthusiastic and excited for the next two weeks.” - History Student

“... going into Trenton was always a massive fear of mine. But really all of that changed once we arrived to MLK. Even the area around the school, seemed much safer and secure than I ever thought anywhere in Trenton besides Waterfront Park, and the Sun Center. Once we arrived, we sat in the cafeteria and just watched the children interact. After that we went outside for some recess time. Interacting and playing with the kids was quite amazing. I actually had the most fun that I have had all summer. Overall, my time with the kids today was one that has forever changed my perspective. Giving that this is only day one, I can not wait to see the impact that this program will give me.” - History Student

“Our shared thoughts and feelings on improving the students’ experiences at camp motivate us to work cohesively and effectively. With ASA as the backdrop for our situation of symbolic interactionism, staff and volunteers from all different backgrounds have come together to put our best efforts forward in creating a fun and enriching summer for the students.” - Sociology Student

“Even though I have heard of stereotypes of Trenton, these children were the opposite of what I thought.” - Sociology Student

“The students did not look at us any different for being our races, and we did not either. Of course, there was one that had many questions about our different races, and our natural skin, hair and eye color, however, my group was able to explain the things that make us special…” - Sociology Student

Welcome & Day 1 - Sunday, July 10, 2016

Welcome
Welcome to the TCNJ Pre-College 2016 Blog! On this blog we will share short descriptions of what we are doing in the program and some posts from students about their experiences and what they are learning in class!  Enjoy! 

Day 1 - Sunday, July 10, 2016

The first day of the program, the students moved into their dorm rooms, met their roommates and then spent the rest of the day getting to know each other as a group! We did many icebreakers, had dinner in the dining hall and then did even more icebreakers! We reviewed the schedule, expectations and rules and did a final reflection activity sharing hopes and fears we all have for the program! Great first day with the group!