Cal-SOAP brings Hoover Middle School student tour U.C. Merced

FRESNO, Calif. -- Middle school students in the North Valley took a unique type of field trip -- challenging them to think about the future.

Fifty kids from Hoover Middle School visited U.C. Merced on Wednesday, but it wasn't your ordinary campus tour. A scavenger hunt had students searching for landmarks, buildings and sculptures to help them learn about the university.

The field trip is part of the California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP). U.C. Merced students who work for the program were excited to showcase their campus, while also promoting higher education.

"I'm really excited that we got to bring 50 students... We got to bring 50 I was really excited that they're getting the opportunity to see the school and know that there's more besides high school. Things you can do after. So, I think it's a really good opportunity," said Johana Martinez, Cal-SOAP staff and U.C. Merced student.

In addition to the scavenger hunt, students were challenged to use their communication skills to find U.C. Merced students with specific majors.