UT GEAR UP

Criminal Justice Camp

The UT GEAR UP Criminal Justice Camp is a four day in person summer camp where campers will have an opportunity to speak to professionals in the criminal justice field. They will also engage in activities that will give them hands-on experience, such as investigating a mock crime scene, and opportunities to speak directly to experienced professionals. Past camps have included speakers from the DEA, U.S. Marshals, FBI, Houston Fire Investigation, U.S. Military Police, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Harris County Medical Examiner's office, Huntsville Police, and Sam Houston State University.

Eligibility

GEAR UP students in participating grants are nominated by their Coordinators on campus to apply for the Sam Houston State University Criminal Justice Summer Camp. Students must be 15 years old by the start of camp to participate.

Coordinators observe behavior, grades, and recommendations from teachers in math and science related classes.

Students and their guardians will be notified in person and via phone call/email if they are eligible for this opportunity.

The following grants/school districts are eligible for this experience in Summer 2027:

Reset & Reimagine Grant (R2)

Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD current 10th & 11th graders
Del Valle ISD current 10th & 11th graders
Jasper ISD current 10th & 11th graders
Lufkin ISD current 10th & 11th graders
Port Arthur ISD current 10th & 11th graders
San Marcos CISD current 10th & 11th graders

All In Grant (AI) 2024

Eagle Pass ISD current 9th graders
Lockhart ISD current 9th graders
San Felipe Del Rio CISD current 9th graders
Somerset ISD current 9th graders
Southwest ISD current 9th graders

Mindset College Ready (MCR) 2024

Aldine ISD current 9th graders
Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD current 9th graders
Livingston ISD current 9th graders
Lufkin ISD current 9th graders

Application Process

If nominated, students will receive a registration link from the Camp Director via email early 2027.

Students and guardians will be required to attend a mandatory Zoom meeting where they will go over camp programming and participant expectations.

What does a typical day look like?

Sample Agenda

6:30am -- Wake Up/Walk to CJ Center

7:15am -- Breakfast – Bates Room

8:00am -- Houston Police Department-Dive Team

9:00am -- Army CID

10:30am -- US Marshals

12:00pm -- Lunch – Whataburger

1:00pm -- STAFS Body Farm ($160 per camp)

3:00pm -- Break

5:00pm -- Texas Game Warden (Find Replacement)

5:00pm -- Break

5:30pm -- Travel to Dinner

6:00pm -- Dinner – Chili’s

8:00pm -- Flex time (shower, mingle, movie, games)

9:30pm -- Room Check

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Student Testimonial

Check out this video from one of our students that attended this program!

Check out what we did at camp!