A smiling girl holding a UW-Milwaukee pennant looking up with her classmates in the background also holding pennants and celebrating together.

Youth Programs

Explore New Possibilities with ROAR Ready

At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, we offer a wealth of ways for K-12 students and their families to find additional learning opportunities, explore career options and prepare for college. From summer camps and pre-college programs to community events, ROAR Ready helps young learners build their brightest future — and discover a place to call home. Ready to take your next steps? Read on to learn more or sign up to receive updates.

ROAR Ready at UWM

ROAR Ready focuses on three core principles: academic enrichment, career exploration and belonging.

Academic Enrichment
Academic enrichment builds core skills in areas like reading, math and science and encourages curiosity through hands-on learning.
Career Exploration
Career exploration helps students discover different career fields and pathways through practical, engaging activities.
Belonging
Belonging strengthens identity and community through meaningful campus experiences, peer connections and UWM pride.

ROAR Ready Programs

Curious which ROAR Ready offering fits you best? We’ve got programs and experiences to suit a wide range of interests. Explore the section below and discover exciting new interests — and possibilities for your future — today.  

A group of 9th grade students speaking with a woman at a table during a 9th grade tour event
Building Bridges
Grades 9-12
M³ is a partnership between Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee Area Technical College and UWM. We empower students through dual enrollment, work-based learning and support in preparing for college.
Young students posing for a photo with Pounce in front of the UWM Fountain
College for Kids & Teens
Grades K-12
Looking for a fun way to stay busy and engaged this summer? We offer summer courses for students on everything from creative arts to chemistry.
UWM student Kayla J in the library working on a laptop.
Dual Enrollment
Grades 9-12
Eager to get a head start? With dual enrollment, eligible high school students can take college courses and earn credit at little to no cost.
Girls working on computers with mentors at the Girls Who Code event
Explore Engineering
Grades K-12
UWM’s College of Engineering & Applied Science has a variety of programs to get curious, creative students excited about engineering and computer science.
Community members and young students performing a dance during World Percussion
Get Creative
Grades K-12
It’s never too early to nurture your inner artist. From an arts summer camp to dance classes, we have youth arts programs and year-round performances for learners of all ages.
An audience looking up at the planetarium sky
Manfred Olson Planetarium
Grades K-12
Tour the cosmos for your birthday party at the Planetarium. You can also have your family join a public show on topics like Solar System Expedition and Life of a Star.
Students working in the TRIO Student Support Services space
Pre-College Programs
Grades 6-12
Your gateway to a world of learning opportunities, from campus tours to Upward Bound. These college-prep programs inspire students to pursue college and beyond.
UWM Men's basketball player with the ball and running toward the basket during a game.
UWM Athletics
Grades K-12
Show your Panther pride by cheering on a UWM sporting event. Students can also join one of our sports camps, including baseball camps, basketball camps, volleyball camps and more.
UWM campus tour guide with guests in front of the UWM fountain
Visit Campus
Grades 9-12
There’s no better way to get a feel for UWM than to visit campus for yourself. For students, we offer campus tours and self-guided tours, as well as group tours for schools and organizations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ROAR Ready?

Want to support the young learners in your life? ROAR Ready helps elementary through high school students and their families pursue new interests, prepare for college and explore future career options. In other words: A Roadmap for Opportunity, Achievement and College Readiness.

ROAR Ready connects young learners and families to UWM’s existing youth and pre-college programs and partnerships. Beyond that, it acts as a safe, welcoming environment where students and families can find belonging and community.

Which ages or grade levels are eligible for ROAR Ready?

We welcome young learners of all ages and their families. ROAR Ready is divided into the following segments:

  • Cub Club: Elementary (K – 5)
  • ROAR Explorers: Middle School (6th – 8th)
  • Panther Tracks: High School (9th – 12th)
  • ROAR Together: Parents & Caregivers
What are the different kinds of ROAR Ready offerings?

ROAR Ready is broken down into programs, exposure experiences and community or family engagement.

A program encompasses a range of formats, including residential camps, commuter programs, supervised virtual programming and initiatives that support readiness for college. Examples include College for Kids & Teens summer camp and the UWM Writing Project.

An exposure experience is a one-day, structured or brief interaction between youth and UWM that fosters visibility, belonging and connection to higher education — anything from UWM athletics games and theater productions to ninth grade campus visits.

Community engagement is an event based on UWM’s partnerships with schools, external partners, and community-based organizations. These events may be co-hosted or facilitated by external partners, like Carmen Senior Signing Day or Mexican Fiesta, and are designed to strengthen relationships, expand access and reinforce shared educational goals.

Family engagement is an event or program that connects UWM with students’ families.These focus on building relationships, sharing resources and shaping college and career readiness from the family’s perspective. An example is UWM’s Student Parent Success program, which gives student parents the support and resources to pursue higher education.

Is there a complete list of ROAR Ready programs?

UW-Milwaukee has hundreds of opportunities for young learners to explore age-appropriate activities — and that list is always evolving. Fill out the form below if you’d like to explore which offering is the best fit for you or your student.

How much do programs cost?

Fees vary by program. Please explore the different program offerings above to learn more about fees and scholarships. 

Can I reach out to the ROAR Ready team?

Absolutely! We’re here to answer any questions you have and ensure you feel supported in guiding you or your student’s learning journey.

Contact
Andrea Page
Roar-Ready@uwm.edu
414-251-5384

How can my school or organization get involved?

ROAR Ready relies on our strong partnerships with schools, nonprofits and community-based organizations. Here are just a few of the ways you can get involved:

  • Share ROAR Ready opportunities with students and their families. 
  • Encourage your students to participate in ROAR Ready experiences. You can also suggest specific ROAR offerings that align with your student’s academic work and interests. 
  • Help your students connect their ROAR Ready experiences with their future hopes and dreams. 

We want to hear from you. If you want to learn more about how you can support ROAR Ready, reach out to our team at Roar-Ready@uwm.edu or 414-251-5384 or fill out the form below.

Ready to ROAR?

Want to receive additional information and updates about ROAR Ready at UWM? Complete our sign-up form below!

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