CAMP Program Continues to Provide Students with Opportunities
As the five-year grant renewal for the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) approaches, the spotlight is on this pivotal initiative that has been a lifeline for migrant and seasonal farmworker students in hopes of pursuing higher education.
However, the outcome of this renewal is not just a money matter; it’s a determinant for the endless opportunities for a multitude of first-generation college students.
CAMP, a five-year, federally funded program under the US Department of Education, was established to aid students with a migrant worker background with support during their first year of college. CAMP offers a wide range of services, including financial support, academic advising, tutoring, and career counseling. Each service is tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual student.
Soon, CAMP will be rewriting and renewing their next five-year grant cycle that will run from July 1, 2025, to June 30th, 2030.
For many participants, CAMP is more than just a support system; it’s a passage to academic success and, most importantly, personal growth. For students like Gabriela Salas, it was a matter of breaking the cycle and being an example to her six younger siblings.
One CAMPer’s Journey
Salas is a first-generation college student, CAMP Alumna, Cultura Latinx executive board member, and now CAMP mentor.
“Back then I didn’t even want to get involved with anything, but now I’ve pushed myself to get involved on campus and advocate for students who are in a similar place like how I was coming into the program.”
Success stories like Salas’s show the heart of what CAMP is all about. Salas’s transformation is a powerful example of how the program helps students grow, both academically and personally. Her story highlights how CAMP makes a real difference, inspiring others by turning initial battles into opportunities for leadership, learning, and community impact.
“Everyone needs a little push sometimes, but it has to come from oneself,” Salas said. “You really have to believe in yourself and believe that you have the capacity of learning something new and using it to contribute that value to the world.”
This five-year renewal is especially important. Many of these students don’t have family members who can guide them through college, so they depend heavily on CAMP mentors and directors like Salas. Without grant funding, the CAMP program at ABAC would close until a new application is approved. Students starting in the 2025-2026 academic year would have to find other scholarships to cover their education costs at ABAC. Consequently, some students might be forced to completely give up furthering their education and go into the workforce instead.
“Without this supplemental financial aid, many participants would not be able to afford the full college experience,” Salas said. “Many current and former CAMP participants hold positions across campus in clubs, student government, athletics, ABAC Ambassadors, tutors, and in the outside world.”
Alumni Accomplishments Throughout its history, the program has shown its efficacy through its great achievements and results. Students who stayed in the program often had higher rates of staying in school and graduating compared to their peers.
“Immediately some of our teachers came to mind that started with ABAC CAMP. We have students like Jessica Oriciaga, who is starting her third-year teaching at Crisp County Primary School,” CAMP Director Olga Contreras Martinez said.
“I know I have focused on teachers, but I just want you to know that ABAC CAMP professionals are in various levels of education,” Conteras-Martinez said. “We have many who are entrepreneurs like Ana Martinez with Llanas Party Rentals located in Tifton, and recently Raul Mejia and his wife, Jamel Cervantes Mejia, both launched two businesses in the Warner Robins area called CMJ Dynamic Solutions and Robins Cleaning and Maid Service.”
Students, educators, and community leaders are all rooting for this program. The renewal grant isn’t just about keeping jobs—it’s about maintaining fairness in education and offering a chance for success to students who have a strong passion for learning and bettering their communities but who do not have the financial means to go to college.
