Texas A&M University’s 2017 Fish Camp kicks off this weekend with the first of seven sessions during which thousands of incoming freshmen participate in the four-day orientation program that focuses on what it means to be Aggie and offers tips on adjusting to college life.
Freshmen at Texas A&M are called “fish” and thousands of them entering Texas A&M this fall will take part in Fish Camp. In addition to learning about college life generally and Aggie traditions, many of them will make life-long friends and have lots of fun doing it, say organizers.
Aggie upperclassmen and women will be on hand to make the camp experience memorable for the new students. Underscoring their sense of giving back to their university, they will pay their own camp expenses to lend their helping hands by providing leadership and advice based on their Aggie experiences.
Each session has seven individual camps, and each of those camps is designated by a different color and a namesake. Namesakes are individuals nominated by Texas A&M students, faculty, staff and friends of Fish Camp. It is considered an honor to be selected as a Fish Camp namesake.
Along with being told about Aggie traditions, the new students will learn about the university’s core values – integrity, excellence, leadership, loyalty, respect and selfless service. They also will learn about the school’s 1,000 student organizations and how to join one or more of them.
In addition to welcoming the new freshmen, student leaders and counselors work to create a support system that allows new Aggies to build relationships and share in the Aggie Spirit.
Fish Camp student leaders say they still have the same goal they have always had: ensure new freshmen have a successful transition to college and keep Texas A&M’s traditions and values alive for years to come.
Fish Camp began in 1953 when the late Gordon Gay, a former YMCA director, took a few students camping as a way to help them adjust to life at college.
