In the summer, up to forty students participate in a six week academic enrichment program on the University’s campus. During the first five weeks, students receive instruction in English, mathematics, science, human relations and a world language. Some classes require a research paper or a major project. Classes meet Monday through Thursday in the morning and afternoon. Lunch is provided daily by Upward Bound. Fridays are used for cultural field trips, guest speakers and other activities. Students will spend most of the sixth week on the campus of a university outside of Chicago. They will live in residence halls and partake in various aspects of campus life.

Students are given CTA fare cards each Saturday and each day of the Summer Voyage classes to help cover the cost of transportation to and from the University.

Students must make every effort to be on time every day. Summer Voyage classes begin at 8:30 a.m. Any student arriving after 8:35 a.m. is late and will be recorded as such. Students are allowed to be late a maximum of five times for the summer. Students who are tardy more than five times to any class jeopardize their participation in the College Tour.

Students are allowed three absences for the entire summer. These absences are to be used for illnesses and/or emergencies. Students who miss a class more than three times or who miss more than three program days jeopardize their participation in the College Tour. Students or their parents/guardians should call the office on the day of an absence to inform us. If students know in advance they will be absent, they should inform the Director or another member of the Senior Staff. Students are responsible for making arrangements with their instructors to make up work missed during an absence.

Transportation will be furnished for all activities conducted away from the campus of Northeastern Illinois University. This is for trips during the school year and the summer. Prior to all trips, students will be given permission forms to take home and returned with a parent or guardian signature. Students cannot participate in off campus activities without a signed permission form. Students wishing to make other transportation arrangements to or from off campus activities must get written permission from their parents and clear these arrangements—in advance of the event—with Mr. Deon Brown, Mr. Troy Norman, or Ms. Waukanee Jackson. In all other cases, students must return to the university on the bus. Students participating in the College Tour must return to the University or the Chicago Teachers' Center on the bus.