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USF St. Pete debuts week-long middle school camp
Camp Bullseye, a week-long summer camp for middle school students, commenced Monday morning at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus.
Campers will stay on the campus in dorms for the duration of the week and learn about marine science, entrepreneurship, digital marketing and journalism, and get a taste of college life.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for you to think about your future,” St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch told the arriving students. The camp, a partnership between USF St. Pete and the City, is a part of Welch’s Pillars for Progress program (Education and Youth Opportunities).
A USF St. Pete alumni, the mayor highlighted how the camp was designed to provide a glimpse into the college experience and spark career interests.
Similar to a college course, Camp Bullseye will culminate with a capstone project. Camp attendees will participate in a pitch competition, presenting ideas on how to improve the sustainability of St. Pete’s ecosystem.
Throughout the week, campers will attend sessions on building business plans, potential marine science implications in the St. Pete area and how journalism can help tell a meaningful story.
They will also go on multiple field trips around the city. Planned trips include visiting The Clay Co-op, a local ceramic studio that helped USF scientists design artificial oyster beds, exploring the walk-through art experience FloridaRAMA, and a city mural tour.
Campers will additionally get to enjoy amenities on the campus, including the dining hall.
The USF Youth Experiences team, led by Andrea Marshall, Curriculum Developer, and Julian Maguregui, Assistant Director, Operations, has been planning Camp Bullseye for a year.
The camp was the idea of Dr. Sheron Brown, City of St. Petersburg Director of Education and Youth Opportunities and USF St. Pete Regional Chancellor Christian Hardigree.
In June 2024, USF St. Pete hosted the St. Pete Strong Youth Conference, a day experience designed to introduce different professions to middle and high school students. This led Brown and Hardigree to discuss a science and business-focused camp that also lets students stay on campus.
When speaking to campers on Monday morning, Brown reminded them that they all have the potential to make a difference in the world and encouraged them to keep an open mind throughout the week.
“It says Camp Bullseye, targeting your future,” she said. “Pay attention to every experience, be fully present with every experience, because this is your week to tap into your genius.”
All campers were selected through an application process. All are Pinellas County-based students. One of the main qualifications was expressing interest in one or more of the camp’s key topics. Campers will engage and work alongside instructors, who are experts in these topics.
“The interactions in the community they’re going to be able to build with fellow campers as well as facility and staff, that to me, is the number one highlight,” Maguregui told the Catalyst.
Attendees will present their pitches Friday evening before the camp concludes.
