Summer Programming Application

ALL APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY FRIDAY, May 29, 2026.

TRIO TALENT SEARCH at Murray State University

All students who attend our summer camps must be accepted members of the Talent Search program. If you are not currently a member of TRIO Talent Search, our staff will send you a program application for completion once you have filled out your camp application.

Talent Search is a federal grant program funded by the US Department of Education. Talent Search provides students with college and career exploration services through middle school and high school. Our goal is to increase the number of students who graduate from high school and enroll in and complete postsecondary education.

Students qualify for Talent Search when they are identified as income-eligible per Department of Education Federal TRIO programs' guidelines and/or as potential first-generation students (meaning neither parent or guardian has a 4-year college degree).

Talent Search is located on the main campus of Murray State University and serves 1000 students in grades 6-12 from schools in western Kentucky.

Target schools in the Talent Search program are:

TS-West

Paducah Public Schools; Mayfield Independent Schools; Hickman County Schools; Carlisle County Schools; Fulton Independent Schools; Fulton County Schools

TS-East

Trigg County Schools; Todd County Schools; Christian County Public Schools

Talent Search Summer Experience
Talent Search provides a variety of 3- or 4-day summer experiences for eligible students during June and July. These experiences are a mix of residential and day camps located on the Murray State University campus.  

RESIDENTIAL CAMP OPTIONS: 
Each camp has space for 50 students on a first-come, first-serve basis.

High School Camps
College & Career Connections Camp | June 14–17
Our College & Career Connections Camp gives high school students the chance to explore majors, careers, and campus life through interactive department sessions and engaging activities. Students will also work with Paradigm Shift facilitators in team-building and experiential learning experiences designed to build confidence, leadership, and real-world skills.

3D Experience Camp | June 17–20
Our 3D Experience Camp challenges students to think creatively while exploring design, technology, and innovation through hands-on activities and collaborative projects. Students will build problem-solving skills, work with emerging technologies, and experience exciting new ways to create and learn.

Middle School Camps
Explorations Camp | June 21–24
Our Explorations Camp lets middle school students dive into hands-on activities, explore new interests, and connect their passions to exciting college and career possibilities—right here on campus.

Coding & Robotics Camp | June 24–26
Our Coding & Robotics Camp introduces middle school students to the exciting world of technology through hands-on coding, robotics challenges, and interactive STEM activities. Students will build creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills while exploring how technology connects to future careers.

Online Summer Courses | July
Keep learning going all summer long with our flexible online courses! Through an interactive online platform, students can explore exciting topics at their own pace while building valuable academic, career, and life skills. Course options include Coding & Robotics, Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy, Career Exploration, and Medical Terminology. These engaging courses are designed to help students discover new interests, strengthen future-ready skills, and explore potential college and career pathways from anywhere.

 

 

Please provide the name and phone number of a close family friend or nearby relative that we may contact in the event of an emergency if parents/guardians listed above are unavailable (at least 1 required):

I/We hereby give my/our consent for my child to attend Talent Search Program sponsored activities at Murray State University. These activities may include field trips, cultural events, and workshops. I/We understand my/our child will be provided transportation to and from these events and hereby agree to same. As parent(s) or the natural guardian(s) of the above named student, I/we release Murray State University, its board of Regents and individual Regents, director, officers, agents, and employees, the Director of Talent Search and any staff member of the Talent Search Program (hereinafter referred to as “release parties”) from any and all liability for injury to the above named child, including death, which may arise from any casual factor, including negligence. In the event my/our under-age child should subsequently bring legal action and obtain judgment against the released parties, or any of them, I/we hereby bind and obligate myself/ourselves to indemnify said released parties up to an including the full amount of the judgment.

Furthermore, I/we understand that I/we forever release the released parties from all claims, damages, actions, or causes of actions which may occur due to any decisions made with respect to the medical care or treatment of my/our child. I/we further authorize agents of the Talent Search Program and/or employees/agents of Murray State University to authorize emergency medical treatment for my/our child in the event that I/we unavailable to provide such consent and hereby agree to hold said released parties harmless as to any and all decisions in regard to said medical care.  This release is unlimited in duration, and applies to any and all Talent Search sponsored activities in which the above named individual participates. This permission and release form is entered into voluntarily and of my/our own free will and volition. I/we further understand and agree that this agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by Kentucky law, and that if any portion of this agreement is held invalid, the balance shall continue in full legal force and effect. My/our signature(s) indicate(s) that the above named child resides in my/our home, and I/we are the custodial parent(s) or guardian(s) of said child.

­I hereby grant permission for my student to participate. I understand that adequate and appropriate supervision will be provided.

I authorize program staff to obtain medical treatment for my student. If the injury warrants medical treatment, I expect every effort will be made to contact me to receive my specific authorization before action is taken. If efforts to contact me are unsuccessful, I grant permission for necessary medical treatment to be given. This includes emergency transportation in case of serious illness or injury. I understand that I will be responsible for all costs associated with any treatment that is necessary for my student.

My signature below verifies that I have read this information and agree to all statements.

I/We hereby give my/our consent for my student to attend Murray State University (MSU) TRIO Program sponsored activities at Murray State University. These activities may include field trips, cultural events, and workshops. I/We understand my/our child may be provided transportation to and from these events and hereby agree to same. As parent(s) or the natural guardian(s) of the above named student, I/we release Murray State University, its board of Regents and individual Regents, directors, officers, agents, and employees, the Director(s) of TRIO Program and any staff member of the TRIO Program (hereinafter referred to as "released parties") from any and all liability for injury to the above named child, including death, which may arise from any causal factor, including negligence. In the event my/our minor child should subsequently bring legal action and obtain judgment against the released parties, or any of them, I/we hereby bind and obligate myself/ourselves to indemnify said released parties up to and including the full amount of the judgment.

The Talent Search program at Murray State University has my permission to use my child's drawings, writings, photograph, or interview verbiage for publication purposes in conjunction with the promotion of its Talent Search program. I release Murray State University, and its employees or subcontractors from any and all claims for damages, libel, slander, invasion of privacy, or any other claim based on use of said material.

This release is unlimited in duration, and applies to any and all MSU TRIO Program sponsored activities in which the above named individual participates.

This permission and release form is entered into voluntarily and of my/our own free will and volition. I/we further understand and agree that this agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by Kentucky law, and that if any portion of this agreement is held invalid, the balance shall continue in full legal force and effect. My/our signature(s) indicate(s) that the above named child resides in my/our home, and I/we are the custodial parent(s) or guardian(s) of said child.

Students will be provided with a Murray State University Identification Card at the beginning of the program. This ID will be used to purchase meals at the T-Room, identify students as a Talent Search participant, and admit students to the residence hall and to MSU recreation facilities. The ID must be worn on the lanyard, along with the room key. Students MUST wear the lanyard and ID at all times. If a student loses their room key or ID, they will be responsible for replacing the lost items. By signing below, the student/parent agrees to replace any university and/or Talent Search property that is lost while in the student's possession at the following prices:

Room Keys: $75 each

Student ID: $35 each

The Talent Search summer program will take place on the Murray State University campus. The main goal of the program is to ensure a safe and open learning environment and provide a positive postsecondary experience at a Kentucky college campus. The Talent Search Code of Conduct applies to all those participating in the summer program and includes, but is not limited to, the statements listed below.

While attending the Talent Search Summer Program:

1. I will not possess or use alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and/or drugs (except medications prescribed by a doctor

2. I will not display overly affectionate or inappropriate attention toward another person.

3. I will not behave in an obscene or discriminatory manner, and will not use inappropriate language towards Talent Search staff and students

4. I will be respectful toward all campus facilities and acknowledge that I will be responsible for any damage caused by my actions.

5. I will not set off fire alarms or tamper with fire extinguishers or emergency equipment.

6. I will not participate in gambling or betting activities.

7. I will stay in my assigned area at all times (classroom, dorm room, campus area/facility, etc unless permission is granted otherwise; I understand all Talent Search students must be accompanied by an adult.

8. I will be in my sleeping area at the required time and honor all established curfews, quiet hours, and lights-out rules.

9. I will attend and fully participate in all planned workshops, field trips, and meetings of the program.

10. I will be appropriately dressed and on time for all program activities.  

11. I will not use technological equipment (including but not limited to cell phones, iPads, laptops, and tablets) during class and other organized activities unless allowed to do so by the instructor.

12. I understand that only Talent Search participants are allowed to sleep in the residence hall and will comply with this rule. I also understand that only active learning areas, study rooms, and lobby areas can be used for study groups and social activities.

13. I will not fight with, assault, or demonstrate aggression (physical or verbal) toward another person, including digital aggression (cyberbullying).

14. I will not enter the sleeping areas of members of the same or opposite gender for purposes of physical contact or inappropriate behavior, and I will not invite others into my designated sleeping area for this purpose.

15. I will not cheat or plagiarize assignments.

16. I will be responsible for the personal belongings I bring to the program and will not take belongings that do not belong to me.

17. I will not possess any deadly weapons (any weapon that can discharge a shot, any knife used for purposes other than eating, or any item used with the intent to do bodily harm) or fireworks. Open flames are not allowed in the residential halls.

18. I will respect authority and not be defiant. Defiance is considered to be a refusal to follow reasonable directives.

19. I will not attempt to intimidate fellow academy participants or use extortion (the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain property from an unwilling person through physical force or intimidation

20. I will not leave the program without permission from the appropriate Talent Search staff nor will I use personal vehicles to transport myself or others during the academy.

21. I will follow all COVID policies and regulations, including mask requirements, social distancing requirements, and other policies in place during the program.

22. I will comply with all rules and policies of the program, including any policy that is not specifically mentioned on this form but is included in the university policy.

CONSEQUENCES:

MAJOR OFFENSES include, but are not limited to, any action that is illegal or that threatens the safety and well-being of any Talent Search participant, staff member, or the university. Major offenses will result in immediate dismissal from the summer program.

1st MINOR offense - A verbal reprimand, the participant will be issued with a warning.

2nd MINOR offense - His/her parent(s)/guardian(s) will be contacted.

3rd MINOR offense/1st MAJOR Offense - Participant will be dismissed from the program.

Please note that an academy participant can be dismissed at any time for violation of the Code of Conduct as seen fit by the Talent Search Program Director, with input from the Murray State University TRiO Director.

I have read the Talent Search Summer Program Code of Conduct and agree to follow the outlined expectations while participating in the program. I am aware that my actions and decisions can affect others. I realize that failing to act with good character could result in consequences, such as dismissal from the summer program. I will accept the appropriate consequences of my actions.

I have read the Talent Search Code of Conduct and I understand that my child is expected to follow the expectations it outlines. I will support the individual(s) in charge in maintaining suitable behavior and in supporting the growth of good character.