The Key to Getting Ahead is the Right Starting Point


Fort Lewis College is offering a comprehensive four-week Summer Bridge Program from July 30 – August 25 designed to help you transition from high school to college. Join your peers for an immersive summer session that will prepare you for the next four years of your college journey. We understand that the last couple years of high school have been challenging, and we want to work with you to build upon your skills and prepare you for the road ahead at FLC.

Benefits of the program

  • Get a head start on your college career.
  • Earn 4 college credits by taking a math or English comp course that will count towards your Liberal Arts Core.
  • We’ll help you select, apply for, and score a part-time job here on campus!
  • Small class sizes that allow for individualized instruction, practice, and collaboration.
  • Workshops and coaching on professional skills like time management and organization.

Additional perks

  • Build relationships with advisors and faculty.
  • Connect with the student support services on campus.
  • Get involved in student activities and leadership opportunities.
  • This chance to connect with a small group of your future classmates will help you find your footing and build community.

Skyhawk Summer Bridge 2022

When: July 30 – August 25
Where: Fort Lewis College & Durango Community
Number of students: 30
Cost: $50 – covers tuition, on-campus housing, all meals, and adventures in Durango!

Note, most Skyhawk Summer Bridge participants have been invited to the program via email. If you didn’t receive an email invitation or have questions about your eligibility for the program, please contact your Admission Counselor for registration details.

For more information, please contact Michelle Bonanno at bonanno_m@fortlewis.edu or call 970-247-7183.

  • Registration deadline is July 1. Summer Bridge participants have been invited to the program via email. If you didn’t receive an email invitation or have questions about your eligibility for the program, please contact your Admission Counselor by emailing admission@fortlewis.edu for registration details.
  • When: July 30 – August 25
  • Where: Fort Lewis College & Durango Community
  • Number of students: 30
  • Student Cost: $50 - covers tuition, on-campus housing, all meals, and adventures in Durango! For financial assistance with the registration fee, please email Michelle Bonanno at bonanno_m@fortlewis.edu.
  • Weekly schedule
    • Monday – Friday: Breakfast, Class, Lunch, Job/Volunteer, Dinner, Academic Support/Fun Activities
    • Saturday: Participate in engaging activities in and around Durango
    • Sunday: Rest, catchup on homework, mandatory program meeting
  • Daily schedule
    • 8 – 10 a.m. - Breakfast in the San Juan Dining Hall
    • 10:10 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. - Class
    • 12:15 – 1 p.m. - Lunch in the San Juan Dining Hall
    • 1 – 5 p.m. – On Campus Job OR Volunteer/Leadership Experience
    • 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. – Dinner in the San Juan Dining Hall
    • 7 – 8:30 p.m. – Tutoring (Sunday-Thursday), Workshops & Activities
  • You will either take a 4-credit math or English course that will contribute to your Liberal Arts Core.
    • Comp 150/100 (4 credits): Your writing and research course! This course introduces students to the discipline of Writing Studies. Students develop a foundation of academic writing as transformative and transferrable through an anthology of readings and emphasis on threshold concepts such as: writing is linked to prior literacy experiences; writing is social and rhetorical activity; good writing depends on the situation; and all writers have more to learn.
    • Math 112/101 (4 credits): The first math course for many STEM majors. This course prepares students for a successful learning experience in MATH 121 and subsequent courses. Algebraic skills and understanding are emphasized. Topics include simplifying algebraic expressions and equations, an introduction to functions, compositions, and inverses. Linear functions, quadratic functions, and power functions are examined in depth with an emphasis on factoring and exponent rules. Exponential and logarithmic functions are introduced.
  • Faculty will offer individualized support throughout your coursework.
  • Tutoring and support services will be available.
  • Peer Educators will work closely with you to ensure your success both in and out of the classroom. They will provide academic support in your courses as well as mentoring to help you adjust to your new life on our campus.
  • During Summer Bridge, you can also incorporate many other FLC support systems into your routine, including Success Coaching, library research help, counseling, cultural centers, student wellness.
  • Check-in is at 10 a.m. on July 30 at the Skyhawk Station.
  • Family weekend is August 12 – 14 where families can come visit Durango or students can travel home to spend a weekend with their family. Students can leave after their Friday classes and will need to be back in time for their teem meeting on Sunday evening.
  • For the first week, we will be focusing on building community and settling into your student’s new home in Durango, so we strongly discourage visitors. However, after the first week you can meet up with your student as long as they don’t spend a night away from campus.
  • On the Skyhawk Summer Bridge Registration form you will select if you either want a paid job or volunteer/leadership experience for approximately 20 hours per week for the 4-week program.
  • In collaboration with Career Services and our campus partners, we will help you select a position based on the answers to the questions on the form.
  • On campus jobs could range from helping with new student engagement in the Admission Office to checking students in to the Student Life Center. Students will earn $13-$14/hour depending on the job.
  • Volunteer/Leadership opportunities can range from partnering with the Environmental Center to tend the campus garden or collaborating with Success Coaches to design workshops for the upcoming semester.

What happens during Check-in?

Check-in is at 10 a.m. on July 30 at the Skyhawk Station. During Check-in you will be welcomed by FLC staff and students into the Skyhawk Summer Bridge Program. You will get your keys to move-in to your residence hall, your Skycard (campus ID), and complete any outstanding requirements. Once you are checked in, you will move into your residence hall. There will be a cookout for you and your family. At that time, we will get to know each other and go over the program details.

What should I bring to campus with me? Specifically, what should I bring for the program?

You will be moving into summer bridge housing which might not be your regular housing for the semester. We recommend bringing only what you need for the 4-week program including bed sheets (twin extra-long, pillows blankets) as well as clothes, toiletries, and items to remind you of home (pictures, posters etc.).

We strongly recommend you bring the following items to Summer Bridge:

  • Comfortable clothes for all types of weather
  • Comfortable shoes to walk/hike in
  • Swimsuit

Some of you may need to bring all your belongings when you first come to campus. No problem! We will have a designated place to store your belongings and store them in a safe location until Orientation.

Can I go home during the program?

We strongly discourage participants from going home during the program with the exception of our family weekend Aug 12-13.

What food will be provided during the program and what will it cost?

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided during the entire program for FREE! During off campus activities food will also be provided for free.

What types of activities will be a part of the program and what will they cost?

We are planning a host of activities during Skyhawk Summer Bridge for you to experience our beautiful mountain town of Durango. Some examples include rafting down the Animas River, paddle boarding & swimming at Lake Nighthorse, going for a walk in the woods, and going to dinner and a movie downtown.

Where will I be living?

All students participating in the Summer Bridge Program will be living in the same residence hall on campus.

How often will my room get cleaned?

Your room will get cleaned once a week.

How do I do laundry on campus?

We have laundry facilities in your residence hall.

Will I have transportation during Summer Bridge?

You can bring your own car to campus for Summer Bridge. During the summer there aren’t any parking fees. However, you will need to purchase a parking permit for fall and spring semesters.

Transportation will be provided for free for all activities off campus

What materials will I need for my classes?

Bring your laptop. If you don’t have access to a laptop, FLC has a TechPack that you can rent. Additional materials, such as course readings/textbooks, will be provided.

Who should I contact regarding academic accommodations?

Contact Disability Services for support in creating and maintaining equal access and opportunity on campus. We can support you with academic, housing, and other accommodations to remove some of the obstacles that might otherwise inhibit your experience of campus life. Disabilityservices@fortlewis.edu

Can I bring a Service Animal or Emotional Support Animal?

If a Service Animal will accompany you on campus, we recommend you contact Disability Services to assist in your animal’s transition. If you are living in campus housing, you will need to register your service animal with our office.

 If you are interested in applying for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) while attending Fort Lewis, you will need documentation from a licensed mental health provider. Visit the Disability Services site for details. 

Do I need to complete my New Student Checklist before the start of the program?

Yes, you will need to complete your new student check list before arriving to campus. It is required that you fulfill your COVID vaccine, booster, and immunization requirements before attending the program. You will also need to upload a photo for your Skycard before the start of the program.Checklist items can be found in your admission portal.

Do I attend Orientation?

Yes, Orientation is mandatory for all first-year students. During Orientation you will meet even more friends. Engage in even more programming. And connect with even more resources on campus. You will be automatically registered for Orientation. For more details on the schedule, please go to the orientation website.