My son is interested in Geography and always has been. He is fairly certain that he will study Geoscience in college, particularly GIS. He is ultimately going to apply to Colgate, University of Richmond, Clark University, as well as a few others. I know he is just starting Freshman year in September, but we want to make sure he has his extra curriculars on track. I’m hoping you can help me think of ideas that I may not be aware of. He plays soccer and baseball. He volunteers through our church to provide food for the homeless. He’ll join a few clubs in high school, such as the history club. I’m looking for other extra curriculars that would apply to the study of Geography itself. We are in Southern New Jersey in Cape May County, if that matters, so we are right by the beach. We have lots of environmental science options, but not specifically Geography related. I’ll be reaching out to our county GIS department to see if they can bring him in to shadow one of their specialists or possibly be an intern. I’ve found a GIS/ drone camp that’s looks super fun and interesting in Harrisburg, PA, (it’s a hike, but I’d be willing to do it) but it takes place when we are still in school due to snow make-up days. I’m hoping in the future that dates for that may work better for our schedule. Any other ideas?
Props to the kid for being so on top of what he wants. Students and kids his age are usually clueless. Since you live by the beach, ask your S if there are any opportunities to do something like a litter clean up or something pertaining to nature. Which aspect of geography? Reaching out to the GIS depart is a smart move. Sorry I couldn’t provide a better answer. Make sure he takes science and SS classes. AP Bio, Enviornental, Chemistry, and Human Geography come to mind. But these classes are going to give him a lot of info — chem and bio will be tough, but they’re going to be fundamental.
It is great he has that interest. I’d suggest that you let these interests grow naturally. He is still young and may change his focus as time moves on. Keep in mind that half of the people who apply to college with a specific major end up changing it and he is only in 8th grade. I’d also suggest that it is way too early to start looking at any specific colleges. He has no HS GPA, no standardized testing etc. He is too young to be certain about what type of college will appeal to him years down the road (FWIW I’m a big fan of LACs but they aren’t for everyone – my D loved her LAC expereince but S thought LACs were too small and took them out of consideration early in his application process).
t is good to understand that college is in his future and is is great that you are a supportive parent but try not to “box him in” by making decisions too early.