History & Mission

Foundation Camp History

Foundation Camp will present its 18th camp in 2024. The Camp began in 2006 and has been offered every summer since then, with the exception of 2020, because of Covid-19 restrictions. The idea for Foundation Camp grew out of conversations between GHC Alum and 100 Black Men of Rome-NWGA leader Greg Shropshire, and GHC staff and faculty members David Mathis and Jon Hershey. The three of them put the first camp together and served as co-directors for many years. Evan Snelling took over as Camp Director from 2021-2023. This year Dr. Maurice Wilson takes on the directorship of Foundation Camp.

The majority of camp instructors are volunteers from GHC Faculty and Staff, members of the 100 Black Men of Rome-NWGA, and members of the community. Camp Counselors who are in charge of each camp group are college students and recent alumni—mostly members of GHAME (Georgia Highlands African American and Minority Male Excellence) and B2B (Brother 2 Brother). These young men not only work the camp but serve as role models for the campers.

Foundation Camp Mission

The Foundation Camp mission is to provide the campers with a positive experience on a college campus, with the hope that they begin to think of college as a real possibility for themselves. In addition to that general goal, Foundation Camp also develops knowledge and skills that will benefit our campers, and new experiences in and out of the classroom. We also encourage positive behaviors that we hope will go with them as they enter their next school year and life beyond school.