The Key to Getting Ahead is the Right Starting Point

Students and a professor in a Summer Bridge course

Attend our four-week Summer Bridge program to help you transition from high school to college. This is an opportunity for you to build your skills and prepare for your college career at FLC.

Earn 3-4 college credits by completing a math or English comp course that counts towards your Liberal Arts Core. The small class size allows for individualized instruction, practice, and collaboration.

Engage in workshops and coaching on professional skills and gain work experience in a part-time job on campus!

Summer Bridge paddle board at Lake Nighthorse

Benefits of the program

  • Get a head start on your college career.
  • Earn 3-4 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 2023

Registration deadline is July 1.

When: July 29 – August 24
Where: Fort Lewis College & Durango Community
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.

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 or email admission@fortlewis.edu for registration details.

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

Tentative schedule

  • 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, catch up 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; Workshops and Fun Activities
    • 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. – Dinner in the San Juan Dining Hall
    • 7 – 8:30 p.m. – Tutoring (Sunday-Thursday), Evening Activities, or time on your own

You will either take a math or English course that will contribute to your Liberal Arts Core. Advisors in Skyhawk Station will use information in your FLC application and your Advising Questionnaire to enroll you in the Summer Bridge course that best fits your FLC academic plan.

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  • 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.
  • Math 132/102 (4 credits): An introductory course covering the collection and analysis of data for decision-making purposes. Topics to be covered include descriptive statistics, creation, and interpretation of different graphical displays of data, measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability, sampling distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing, and regression and correlation. Technology will be used extensively throughout the course. Communication of statistics is also emphasized.
  • TRS 82 (3 credits): Review and instruction in elementary algebra and an opportunity to apply these skills to word problems and critical thinking exercises.

 

  • 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 in and out of the classroom. They will provide academic support in your courses and 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 29 at Skyhawk Station. 
  • Family Orientation, July 29-30 
  • For the first week, we focus 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 if they don’t spend a night away from campus. We strongly discourage participants from going home during the program with the exception of our family weekend Aug 11-13.
  • 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 our Career and Life Design Center, 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 $15-$16/hour depending on the job.
  • Volunteer/Leadership opportunities can range from partnering with the Environmental Center to tend the campus garden or walking dogs at the Humane Society.

What happens during Check-in?

Check-in is at 10 a.m. on July 29 at Skyhawk Station. FLC staff and students welcome you into the Skyhawk Summer Bridge Program. You will get your keys to move into your residence hall, your Skycard (campus ID), and complete any outstanding requirements. Once you are checked in, you will move into your residence hall. That weekend, we will have an opening dinner, teambuilding activities, and family orientation.

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

You will be moving into your fall housing assignment when you move in for Summer Bridge. Bring all of the belongings you will need for the academic year. 

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 11-13.

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, we will also provide food for free.

What 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 live 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 car to campus for Summer Bridge. During the summer there aren’t any parking fees. However, you must purchase a parking permit for the 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 computer, 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 the Accessibility Resource Center 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.

Can I bring a Service Animal or Emotional Support Animal?

If a Service Animal accompanies you on campus, we recommend you contact the Accessibility Resource Center to assist in your animal’s transition. If you live in campus housing, you must register your service animal with our office.

If you are interested in applying for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) while attending FLC, you will need documentation from a licensed mental health provider.

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

You will need to complete your new student checklist before arriving on 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. You can find checklist items 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.