Bridge of the Gods Summer Academy
Bridge of the Gods Summer Academy 2016 application
The Bridge of the Gods (Native American Rites of Passage) summer program is designed to teach appropriate indigenous principles of cooperative social interaction to Native American high school and middle school students. The Bridge of the Gods program is based in the tradition of honor and respect for all peoples, and students are informed about traditional ways of knowing. The program's purpose is to increase cultural awareness among pre-college age Native youth that will lead to improved academic success and increased self-awareness in the college environment.
Bridge of the Gods, Rites of Passage Leadership Academy Application Instructions
- Very Important! Frequently Asked Questions! Read the cover letter-TBA soon.
- Fill out the application legibly in ink
- Sign the waiver and permission sections
Frequently Asked Questions
Does BOGSA provide transportation to and from Eugene?
No. Some of the Portland area and Salem area parents have coordinated rides with other students attending BOGSA from their respective areas. The same has happened with Reservation students, sometimes through their educational programs. Car pooling is not arranged by BOGSA, but if there are queries sent our way asking if there are other students attending the academy from the same location we can assist by sharing contact information of the parent/guardians, of course, only with their permission.
Who is eligible for BOGSA?
All high school students are eligible, but if there are more applications than available slots there are priorities that are taken into consideration from information provided by the students in their applications: year in high school (Juniors and Seniors have the highest priority) grade point averages, curriculum achieved in high school and the essays they write in the application.
Does this mean freshman and sophomore students can't apply?
No, but because the academic standards are high, these younger students will do better if they are high achievers or highly motivated. All of the students attend class together and our instructors are told to teach to the college level and sometimes the younger students haven't developed the skills in writing and math to pass some of the classes.
If the student doesn't pass all of the classes, are they disqualified from returning to BOGSA?
No. Actually it is just the opposite. If a student doesn't pass all of the academy classes they are given an incomplete for the college credit course and are encouraged to improve their skills when they return to high school then return to try and successfully pass the courses they didn't pass at BOGSA and earn the college credit.
Are the credits the student's earn applicable to a college degree?
Yes and no. The credits are not applicable to 4-year major university requirements if the student goes directly from high school to a major university, but they can if the student attends a community college FIRST before transferring to a major university. Lane Community College offers an Associates of Arts Transfer degree, (where these credits count) and on completion of this degree qualifies the student for automatic admission into any Oregon University System school (University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Eastern Oregon University, Portland State University, Western Oregon University, Southern Oregon University and Oregon Institute of Technology) if the student wants to continue in higher education to that level, so in this instance the credits do apply directly to a students efforts in earning a degree from a major university. The credits also fulfill requirements for most Associates of Arts degrees offered at the community college level should that be the level the students wish to aspire and again the credits apply directly to the student's efforts to receive a degree in higher education at this level.
What does a student need to bring to the academy?
Clothes and shoes-
The students need to bring a variety of clothing to wear. Weather at this time of the year can be very warm or very wet. The students will also be going to the coast where the weather can be just as unpredictable. The "layered" look works well here. The students are also involved in a lot of play, so active wear is also recommended (both shoes and clothes). Also some "nice" clothes for the closing ceremony and any other semi-formal activity (possibly dining in a nice restaurant or attending a concert or performance) are recommended.
The students also need to bring at least one pair of closed-toe (something covers the entire foot) shoes. The students will be taking a class in a science lab where this is a requirement.
Everyday dress should be appropriate for attending any public school.
Toiletries-
The University dorm provides blankets and pillows for the rooms, but students need to bring their own towels, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant and similar items. The students can bring extra blankets and pillows if they want. If the occasion arises that the student forgets to bring or runs out of any of these types of items there are plenty of nearby stores (and campus bookstore) where they can be purchased. If the student doesn't have the money for this, BOGSA will make arrangements to provide these items.
Medications-
If the student has a prescribed medicine and/or a medicinal routine they must follow they must bring the medicine and the clearly described routine the student must follow so that the BOGSA staff can refer to if the student forgets or needs to be reminded. If the student runs out of a prescribed medicine, if allowable, there are drug stores near campus where prescriptions can be refilled.
First aid kits are always on hand for any minor bumps or scrapes. Aspirin/Advil, cold and allergy medicine is also readily available if the student is not allergic to any of these medicines. This information must be clearly defined in the application by the parent/guardians so that the BOGSA staff is aware of any student's special medical condition.
Computers, zip drives, phones, I-pods and cameras-
None of these items are forbidden, but I-pods, phones and cameras will be strongly monitored during class and planned activities. Computers would be handy, but not required as a computer lab will be provided for students to do their assignments and zip drives will provided to save and print out their work. If students have previously attended BOGSA they are asked to bring with them the zip drives with which they were provided. Cameras have been used in classes before, but most students used their phone cameras or if they didn't have one, a camera was provided for the class that it t is needed.
Money-
While all of the BOGSA activities are paid for, there will be free time, there are many restaurants and the campus bookstores where some students may want to buy a souvenir or try some different types of food. Most of the time students will be in class, study hall or planned activities and of course eating and sleeping in the residence halls.
School supplies-
Writing instruments, paper and binders will be provided.
Who's "watching the kids"?
There will be four counselors who will each be assigned five students and will be with their assigned group all the time, in the dorm at night, on the buses to LCC, in the classroom and at all of the planned events. If the students want to explore the local community, they will need to be accompanied by their assigned counselors, or they won't be exploring. The BOGSA director and other staff (instructors, resident assistants, college student volunteers) will also circulating throughout the academy for the duration of the academy. There will be "many eyes" on the students for the duration of the academy. Should any student find a way "to escape" these eyes and violates any of the University of Oregon or Lane Community College campus rules, parents/guardians will be notified and arrangements will be made for the student to return home immediately.
Important Information!! Read the Cover Letter from the BOGSA Faculty
Return Applications to:
Bridge of the Gods Summer Leadership Academy
FAX: (541) 463-3997
Multicultural Center Building 1, Room 201A
4000 East 30th Avenue
Eugene, OR 97405
For more Information, Contact:
James Florendo
Native American Student Program Coordinator
Phone: (541) 463-5238
Email: florendoj@lanecc.edu