High schoolers can get a taste of college life this summer at one of Eastern Oregon University’s week-long institutes.

“It’s a great opportunity to see ‘Do I want a small school? Do I want a big school?’ “ said Kathleen Brown, associate director of Early College Initiatives at EOU. “When students are given the chance to experience campus, they really enjoy it.”

It’s also a chance to interact with college staff, and learn about La Grande.

“The goal is to have the students introduced to different fields, and get used to the faculty,” she said. “And the town needs to fit you — you’re not in class all day.”

Four of the institutes take place at EOU, while Cottonwood Crossing is at Cottonwood Canyon State Park between Wasco and Condon.

All are open to students who are completing grades nine to 12 in the spring of 2024. Brown said the institutes usually have students from 20 to 25 schools around the region.

In addition to a college experience, Brown said participants earn two college credits, which are transferrable to a student’s college of choice. The registration fee covers the credit costs, as well as housing and food on campus.

Brown said participants stay in the dorms, along with EOU student navigators.

For information about scholarships, email eci@eou.edu. Details on each institute, and the links to register, can be found at eou.edu/early-college-initiatives/summer-institutes/.

Cottonwood Crossing

This institute is set for June 16-21 Cottonwood Canyon State Park along the John Day River. The deadline to register is May 15, or until space is filled. The cost is $350.

For this experience, students are assigned to one of four courses: “Rocks, Rivers and Ancient Life,” “Visual Storytelling,” “Neuroscience” or “Natural Resources.”

Projects are led by EOU faculty, EOU Capstone students and other professionals.

Eastern Oregon Teacher Academy

This institute, scheduled for June 24-28, is sponsored by the EOU College of Education. The cost is free thanks to grant funding. The deadline to apply is May 24.

This session is designed for high school students who are considering a degree in education.

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

This department’s theme is “Working the Fields: An Exploration of Community” for the institute that runs June 24-29. Cost is $500, and the deadline to apply is May 31.

This course will have a “community development focus on Latino cultural and economic influence on Eastern Oregon,” according to the website. The sessions will include digital music creation, language and culture of different regions, public service and more.

College of Science, Technology, Mathematics and Health Sciences

This institute, set for June 24-29, will have the theme of “Human Connections: Microbes, Disease and the Animal World.”

Cost is $500, and the deadline to apply is May 31.

In this session, students will explore opportunities in the health and science fields.

College of Business

In this experience, which happens June 24-29, students will explore the basics of business, marketing, communication and entrepreneurship. Cost is $500, and the deadline to apply is May 31.

Brown said students will experience the La Grande Farmers Market, then work on developing a pop-up business.