This year's summer programs at the University of California, Davis, will give youths a taste of university studies and allow them to experience white-water rafting on the American River and other sports from fencing to water polo.

Upward Bound Summer Residential Program -- Students from nine high schools in Sacramento, Stockton, Vallejo and Dixon are sampling college life this summer.

About 70 youths ages 13-18 who are from low-income families or who could be in the first generation of their family to attend college are participating in the program. While staying in campus residence halls, students attend classes ranging from math and science to the Spanish language and Web design. The students will participate in two community service projects in Sacramento on July 12 and strut their stuff in a talent show on the evening of July 23.

Upward Bound aims to help high-school students who are potential first-generation college-goers to develop the skills and motivation necessary for success in post-secondary education. During the academic year, participants meet weekly after school for advising, tutoring and special activity sessions with UC Davis student advisers, and some are invited to attend the summer program where they can earn up to 10 high-school credits. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education and the Upward Bound program in UC Davis' Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach Services.

When and where: June 22-Aug. 1. Classes are held 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday with other activity sessions from late afternoon to early evening. There are often special events on Fridays.

Contact: Ping Chan, Upward Bound, (530) 752-3089, jjchan@ucdavis.edu

UC Davis National Youth Sports Program -- About 380 children, from mostly lower-income families in Yolo and Solano counties, will participate in six sports -- including fencing, water polo, soccer and golf -- and get hands-on experience with math and science in the award-winning program. For 10- to 16-year-olds, the program will feature field trips to special facilities on campus and a component on drug and alcohol awareness.

The program -- sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the UC Davis Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach Services -- was awarded the 2002 Silvio O. Conte Award from the athletic association as the top program among more than 220 in the nation. The award is based on almost 120 criteria including the number of participants and the services offered. It is the seventh time the program has been recognized by the association.

When and where: June 30-Aug. 4. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Various locations on campus.

Contact: Samuel Blanco, Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach Services, (530) 757-3322, siblanco@ucdavis.edu

Summer Residential Academy -- For more than 20 years, the Summer Residential Academy has offered students a taste of college life before they head into grade nine.

Through workshops, lectures and group presentations, students are introduced to college life, college entrance exams, career options, library and online research, public speaking and study skills for continued success in high school. During a rafting trip on the American River, students in the program will learn leadership and team-building skills.

Participants -- drawn from Greater Sacramento, Stockton, Galt, Dixon, Woodland and Esparto -- have been active in UC Davis' Early Academic Outreach Program, which provides academic enrichment and motivation to support educationally disadvantaged students preparing for admission to the University of California. Fifty to 60 students will participate in each of two sessions.

When and where: Session I was held in late June; Session II, Aug. 4-8. Various locations on campus and the American River.

Contact: Cindy Wunder, EAOP, (530) 752-9420, clwunder@ucdavis.edu

Los Angeles Basin Initiative -- Los Angeles County students will explore the campus and more through the Los Angeles Basin Initiative at UC Davis. The program is part of a UC initiative begun in 1999 to help expand the pool of students from low-performing schools in the Los Angeles Basin who are competitively eligible for admission.

Activities for the grade 11 and 12 students, will include academic advising, workshops on using the Internet to access college information, a rafting trip on the American River and a field trip to the state Capitol.

When and where: Aug. 17-22. Various locations on campus.

Contact: Cindy Wunder, EAOP, (530) 752-9420, clwunder@ucdavis.edu