ACT Camp Begins: Building Confidence, Strategy, and Opportunity


The first session of the St. Charles Tutoring Lab ACT Prep & Strategies Camp is officially complete, and students are already discovering an important truth:

Success on the ACT is not about shortcuts—it is about preparation, consistency, and confidence.

During our opening session, students completed an intake process, explored ACT resources, reviewed scholarship opportunities connected to ACT scores, and participated in an ACT Strategy Escape Room designed to introduce effective test-taking habits.

Students gained access to our ACT Resource Hub, strategy guides, practice materials, and reading resources that will support them throughout the summer.

Key Strategies Students Identified

As a group, students discussed several habits that can contribute to ACT success:

  • Study consistently

  • Stay calm during the test

  • Never leave a question blank

Students also learned that while strategies can be helpful, there is no substitute for content knowledge and practice. We discussed why shortcuts and tricks alone rarely lead to significant score gains and why building strong academic skills remains the most reliable path to success.

One important takeaway was understanding that because the ACT does not penalize incorrect answers, students should always make an educated guess rather than leave questions unanswered.

What Students Are Saying

We asked students to reflect on their first ACT Camp experience.

One student shared that their biggest takeaway was the importance of studying consistently, while another reflected on the importance of staying confident and doing their best on the ACT.

Students particularly enjoyed the interactive learning activities, including the ACT Strategy Escape Room and educational games that made learning engaging and accessible.

Most importantly, students left with a better understanding that success on the ACT comes from preparation, confidence, and consistent effort over time.

Homework Assignment

Before our next ACT Camp session, students should complete the following activities:

Watch the ACT Scholarship Video

Students will learn how ACT scores can translate into scholarship opportunities and college savings.

Video Link:
https://youtu.be/nOp9KAXgOOU?si=CBTgVOj7OzQ2O-Kb

Take Notes

As you watch the video, record:

  • Three things you learned

  • One scholarship opportunity that interested you

  • One action step you can take toward your future goals

Measure Your Reading Speed

Complete the reading speed assessment:

https://outreadapp.com/reading-speed-test

Record:

  • Your reading speed (words per minute)

  • Your comprehension score

  • One goal for improvement before our next session

Why Reading Speed Matters

The ACT is not just a test of knowledge—it is also a test of efficiency.

Students who can read accurately and efficiently often perform better on the Reading, Science, and English sections because they can process information more quickly and confidently.

Reflection Question

What did you learn from the scholarship video, and what strategy will you use to become a stronger reader this summer?

Looking Ahead

Next week, students will begin working through subject-specific ACT activities as we take a deeper dive into:

ACT English

Grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills.

ACT Mathematics

Algebra, geometry, statistics, probability, functions, and problem-solving strategies.

ACT Reading

Reading comprehension, main ideas, inference questions, and pacing strategies.

ACT Science

Data interpretation, graphs, experiments, and scientific reasoning.

Students will have opportunities to identify their strengths, address areas for growth, and practice strategies specific to each ACT subject area.

Other Summer Learning Opportunities

ACT Prep & Strategies Camp

Designed for students preparing for future ACT test dates, scholarship opportunities, and college admissions.

Registration:
https://stcharlestutoringlab.as.me/?appointmentType=91809189

CLEP Summer Camp

Students explore free college credit opportunities through Modern States and CLEP examinations. Subjects include College Algebra, Psychology, Spanish, Biology, and more.

Registration:
https://stcharlestutoringlab.as.me/?appointmentType=91279946

Managing Middle School Mathematics

A summer bridge program designed to help students strengthen foundational math skills and prepare for success in middle school mathematics.

Registration:
https://stcharlestutoringlab.as.me/?appointmentType=91808433

At St. Charles Tutoring Lab, we believe preparation starts early. Whether students are preparing for middle school, high school, college entrance exams, or college credit opportunities, our goal remains the same:

Learn. Love. Inspire.

Success is not built in a day. It is built through small choices made consistently over time.

We look forward to continuing this journey with our students and families throughout the summer.

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