DANBURY, CONN. — For some kids, summer is a time to kick back and relax. But for others, summer is a time to plan for the future and explore options.

On Monday, July 22, 2013, 180 students from Danbury’s high school and middle schools and more than 150 students from other local communities will take part in the “Summer College Youth Fair” held on the campus of Western Connecticut State University. Sixty of the students are from Danbury’s Broadview Middle School and Rogers Park Middle School, while 120 are from Danbury High.

The Danbury students participating in the college fair are those in the Western Connecticut State University ConnCAP/Upward Bound programs, which are state and federally funded and designed to help students from lower-income families get the additional help they need to succeed in school. Many of the students attending the fair will be first-generation college students. Other students attending are from similar programs at Central Connecticut State and Fairfield universities.

From 8 a.m. to noon, the students will participate in select workshops where they will learn about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers, the Internet and computer safety, financial aid and paying for education, and a tour of Western’s campus to see what college life is all about.

Following the workshops, students will have an opportunity to visit with admissions representatives from 25 colleges and universities in New England. These representatives will be available in the university’s O’Neill Center to provide information on majors and school offerings. According to ConnCAP/Upward Bound program director Rob Pote, more than 50 percent of Danbury students in these programs attend WCSU after high school graduation.

For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.