The Summer Program 2021
Full Summer Program June 14 – August 28
National Outdoor Leadership Course August 30-September 10, 2021 NOLS COURSE DETAILS
Where Summer Meets School
- College Credit
- Academic Coaching
- Weekend Adventures
- Study Groups
- Personal Coaching
- Art Classes
- NOLS Course
- Wellness Coaching
- Fun Trips and Getaways
Personalized Attention
Each student is matched with their own coach whose sole focus is their student’s success. Academic, personal, and wellness coaching are blended to assure students are growing in all areas of their lives. Advising, tutoring, and providing easy access to college resources are all part of what we do.

Weekend Excursions
We are thrilled to make the most of weekends by offering student activities around Central Oregon and Bend. Surrounded by mountains, deserts, rivers, and lakes, our location offers a bounty of open spaces for students to maintain social distancing while still enjoying the company of others.
Wellness Activities
Beyond our scheduled wellness activities, we encourage students to take full advantage of the phenomenal outdoor activities around Central Oregon. Beautiful weather and long daylight hours allow students to spend afternoons and weekends floating the river, hiking to waterfalls, biking, and playing games.
Intentional Living Program
Creating a healthy home and lifestyle is key to academic success. Having the support of our coaches to achieve these goals even in challenging times helps students learn the importance of having a solid foundation for college success.

Program Highlights
The Program
For over 15 years, our summer program has helped empower hundreds of students to pursue their academic goals without sacrificing the fun of summer. Students attend Central Oregon Community College, where they will earn college credits through multiple courses. These classes are designed to help students meet general education requirements while providing transferable skills. For classes held remotely, College Excel will continue to utilize its years of experience facilitating activities and academic goals in such an environment. We’re limiting enrollments to allow for better social distancing and a reduced impact of our students. Please email jonb@collegeexcel.com or call 541-388-3043 for a list of summer courses.
All Kinds of Support
Summers at College Excel are still filled with unique and engaging activities. While COVID-19 has changed many of our plans and activities, we continue to adapt to the changing situation in a safe manner that offers support and fun for our students. This ability to make plans and adapt them to changing circumstances is a core part of our coaching program and has helped our students remain resilient through online courses and an altered spring term. College Excel continues to support students through in-person and virtual coaching, academic support, as well as a full remote coaching program for students unable to be in Bend. As a leader in the industry, College Excel’s commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of our students and staff remains job one.
Annual End of Summer Celebration and Fall Kick-off
Each September, students and staff take off for ExplOregon, our annual road trip around the state. Designed as a new student orientation and end-of-summer celebration, current, incoming, and returning students embark on a fun-filled adventure exploring Oregon’s cities, coast, and college campuses. We hike around Crater Lake, attend the Shakespeare Festival, explore sand dunes and tide pools, and tour a variety of the state’s universities. Year after year, those who join us for the ExplOregon trip arrive back in Bend with a clearer idea of their options after College Excel as a result of having formed unique bonds that only come from spending 1,000 miles on the road together.
We hope to keep this tradition and will be closely monitoring public health guidelines and updating this offering as information becomes available.

NOLS Whitewater and Leadership Course
In this NOLS course, students will float down Utah’s stunning Green River as they commune with nature, meet new challenges, make friends, and develop as leaders. This amazing opportunity has been customized for College Excel students, and participants have the option of earning college credit.
See the full NOLS course description
Location, Location, Location
Central Oregon is the ideal place to spend a summer. As one of the most beautiful spots in the Pacific Northwest, Bend is a premier summer destination. The city offers a variety of eateries, shops, and activities with stunning views of the Cascade Mountain Range. With average summer daytime temperatures ranging from 73° to 82°, locals can be found paddle boarding and kayaking on one of the fourteen nearby alpine lakes or hiking the dozens of mountain and local trails.