The Wichita State LIFE program hosted its first Summer LIFE camp June 29-July 1 at Wichita State University, offering young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities a firsthand look at college life at Wichita State. 

Summer LIFE is a short-term campus experience designed to help prospective students explore Wichita State through engaging activities while connecting with peers, mentors, faculty, staff and community partners. This year's camp welcomed 15 participants. 

"This year's camp exceeded my expectations in so many ways," said Dr. Reagan Murnan, director of the Wichita State LIFE program. "It was incredible to watch students grow more confident, try new experiences and build genuine friendships in just a few days." 

Throughout the week, participants took part in activities across campus, including creating personal memoirs with the Envision Arts Program, designing Wichita State LIFE T-shirts and tumblers at GoCreate, preparing a meal with the Redler Institute, bowling at Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes and participating in team-building activities with the WSU WISE Clinic. Participants also enjoyed games and relay races with WSU's physical education program at the Heskett Center, rode Wubers with Student Affairs to the Rhatigan Student Center Food Court for lunch, created a community chalk mural outside the Corbin Education Building, participated in activities with Student Engagement and Belonging and visited the Ulrich Museum of Art.

For many families, the camp's greatest impact extended beyond the activities. Parents shared that their young adults came home talking excitedly about new friends by name. Others described seeing increased confidence, excitement about future opportunities and appreciation for a campus experience where their children felt welcomed, included and able to envision themselves as future college students. 

Summer LIFE introduced participants and their families to the Wichita State LIFE (Learning Independence for Future Employment) program. Offered through Wichita State's College of Education in collaboration with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Consortium for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), the two-year, part-time, non-degree postsecondary program supports adults ages 18 to 26 with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through individualized instruction, applied learning and inclusive campus experiences, participants build academic, career, independent living and social skills for meaningful employment and engaged adult life. 

Click here to learn more about the Wichita State LIFE program.