It is a 4-week program conducted at The Virginia Military Institute, which is designed to motivate promising male students, primarily minorities, to better prepare for, and attain success in high school and college. COW is not a summer camp or sports camp for children, and it is not a recruiting program just for prospective VMI students. It is an intensive self-development and educational enrichment experience for young men who can and should attend college somewhere. The program is for top students, those who may be struggling, and those who need an appreciation for the benefits of discipline and structure.

For Monday through Friday, a typical day at the COW program may be as follows: 5:30 or 6:00 A.M. wake-up; 45 minutes of Physical training activities; Breakfast at 7:00 A.M.; Academic classes from 8:00 A.M. until noon (lunch); Academic conferences, study skills sessions, Financial Literacy Classes, etc. from 1:00 P.M. until 3:30 P.M.; 3:30 P.M. until 5:30 P.M., Physical training, various lectures, Guest Speaker sessions, or computer class (when offered); Dinner at 5:30 P.M.; From 7:00 P.M. until 8:30 P.M. some free time, recreation time, sporting activities, etc.; From 8:30 P.M. until 10:30 P.M. formal study hall; Group meeting at 10:45 P.M. & Lights out at 11:30 P.M. On the weekend, wake-up is at 6:30 A.M. The weekends are reserved for our wilderness challenges and leadership development experiences, such as negotiating the Marine Obstacle Course and problem solving; canoeing the James River, climbing House Mountain, etc. Some of our community service activities are also done on the weekends.

Every student in this program will be a high school student. Each student will be treated as if he was a regular student attending summer school, except that they will not be “masters of their own time”. In other words, the COW students will be closely supervised, but will be held to the same stringent standards of conduct, honor, and performance as regular VMI students.

Health care needs, should it be necessary, will be provided and covered by comprehensive accident insurance from the time students arrive at VMI, until the time they leave the program. Family insurance will be primary, but if there is none, the COW policy will go into effect. Three meals per day will be provided in the VMI dining hall. When the dining hall is not opened, food and snacks will be provided.

Much is given to the students who are selected to participate in this program, therefore, much is asked of them. Since a great deal must be accomplished in a short four-week period, time management and adherence to instructions are absolute requirements. For those students who do not follow instructions, and who blatantly break rules, or who are detrimental to the program or other students in any way, they will be separated from the program. If that happens, the parents are fully responsible for costs associated with returning their son home immediately. Prior to separation from the program, discipline could involve confinement to room, restriction from recreational activities, and/or other appropriate penalty activities, (e.g., penalty work activities, etc.). None of the penalty work activities are dangerous or demeaning. They are similar to the VMI penalty regimen. The purpose for the penalty regimen is to teach accountability for one’s actions. Prior to acceptance to the program, each candidate and parent(s) must sign a Participation Agreement, attesting to their acceptance of the above expectations and requirements.

The program is conducted for 4 weeks in the summer, beginning the last week in June and for 3 weeks into July. The specific schedule for the current COW session will be posted on the COW website. For the 2023 session, the program dates will be from Sunday, June 25, 2023, through Saturday, July 22, 2023.

Completed applications, medical forms, and all other required documents must be received by April 30th. Application submissions will begin on January 2nd of each year. Most of the requirements can be done online at www.cow4life.org/apply/

To get more information about the COW program, you should go the COW Website at www.cow4life.org. You may also contact Eugene Williams – Executive Director 540-300-1794, or via email at admin@cow4life.org. If you are interested in becoming a mentor, speaker, recruiting partner, volunteer, or donor, please contact us ASAP

The cost of this program is approximately $5,000 per student, which includes tuition, room & board weekends requirements, classroom supplies, program fieldtrip costs, etc. The cost of the program is funded thru individual donors, grants, and scholarships. Although there is no direct/indirect charge to selected students, donations by participant’s families are welcomed and very much needed. Donations are fully tax deductible. COW receives no state or federal funding.

The COW program was initiated in July 1987. Almost 1,000 students from all over the country have participated in the program. The 2025 session will be COW's 39th. Good and generous people help make this possible.

There is a crisis of under-education and achievement, and a general sense of hopelessness and despair in many inner city and rural communities. Furthermore, that crisis is most acute for minority male youth, especially African Americans. For this reason, the program is specifically targeted for minority male students (rising 10th, 11th & 12th graders), with primary focus on African Americans, who have promise and potential for educational and life success, but who may be experiencing challenges. Both strong and marginal students are helped by the program. Exceptions are made where the need exists, and therefore the make-up of the COW contingent is very diverse.

Students from across the country are identified by high school counselors, community associations, churches, and others who seek enrichment opportunities for deserving young men. Participants are selected based on the selection committee’s determination of which student we feel needs COW most and who we feel will give serious and committed effort in the program. We typically have students from at least 10 to 12 different states each session.

The program will be conducted at The Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in Lexington, Virginia. VMI is the oldest state military college in the nation. For over 182 years, VMI’s mission has been to produce graduates who are honorable and responsible members of their communities. VMI is committed to the development of the “whole person”. The spirit of VMI is an integral element of the COW program, and as much of the VMI mystique, as possible, is blended into the fabric of the COW program. COW is not a recruiting tool just for VMI, as many of our participants are not able to meet VMI’s admission standards. However, these young men are capable of being successful in college and in life, and it is our mission to bring that potential to fruition. COW causes aspirational changes, and the spirit and essence of VMI are essential elements in achieving that desired result.

The program will include classroom instruction in math, communications and public speaking, critical writing, financial literacy, study skills fundamentals, and exploration of career options. There will be seminars in the study of willpower and cognitive assessment of decision-making and self-control. There will be laboratory tours and demonstrations, in addition to visits to libraries, museums, and other universities. Other activities will include field trips, recreational outings, wilderness explorations, and intensive physical training activities. Hard work and hard play will characterize this program. Students will live in The VMI Barracks (equivalent to dorms) with VMI students attending regular summer schools. Students will interact with professionals from many sectors of the society. They will have opportunities to experience, up close and personal, what the life of a college student is really like. They will be faced with challenges that will make them frightened, tired, and angry. They will be coached/led to embrace challenges and develop strategies in dealing with all of those emotions more effectively.

COW is supported solely by private, charitable grants, and/or corporate gifts. No governmental support is received. Donations can be sent to: COW c/o VMI Foundation P.O. Box 932 Lexington, Virginia 24450. COW’s Tax ID is 52-2134317. Or to: COW c/o Eugene Williams – Founder and Executive Director P.O. Box 1047 Lexington, VA 24450 Donations may also be made via: Zelle, Venmo, CashApp, and PayPal. Go to the Donate button on the Home page.