On April 14-16, the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), along with the Hispanic Organization for Texas Students (HOTS), hosted 23 invited Hispanic high school students from Painesville, Ohio and South Texas, including the cities of: McAllen, Weslaco, Rio Hondo, Donna, Port Isabel, and Santa Rosa. The purpose of the invitation was to recruit Hispanics, especially migrants, by revealing to them the many opportunities available to them as underprivileged minorities through numerous grants and scholarships provided by the Office of Minority Affairs. Of the 23 students, 20 are migrants, 17 of whom are seniors and 13 of which have been admitted for Autumn of ’04.

Students arrived early Wednesday afternoon on the 14th and were presented with a student panel of members from CAMP and HOTS to speak to them about college life on and off campus, the community and adjustments which students such as themselves must make, should they attend The Ohio State University. Later that night, they were treated to dinner at B.D. Mongolian BBQ, where they got to socialize with CAMP and HOTS students and get to know each other a little more. The next day, students had breakfast on campus at the Buckeye Express, which was immediately followed by a financial aid presentation by CAMP/HOTS members and the students were also informed in detail, on an individual basis, about their financial aid and future plans to attend OSU. After this, the students were given a two hour tour of the university, so that they, themselves, could observe what a typical, spring afternoon is like for any student. That afternoon students were taken to the Whetstone Park of Roses for a picnic and social activities. Following this, the students were treated to the Bowling Palace for the purpose of interaction amongst the different schools.

The success of this visit was due to the ability of CAMP and HOTS to make these students feel as if they were right at home, and the result was a group of satisfied and more confident high school kids. The following is a quote from one of them: “I had a great time and most of all made my decision to attend OSU. You guys made me feel welcome and comfortable. With you guys there, it felt like OSU was my home, and I appreciate that.”