Extended Orientation (EO)
The Extended Orientation team provides direct advising, support, and coordination to extended orientation programs at Texas A&M University including Fish Camp, Howdy Camp, T-Camp, Venture Camps and Traditions Night. These programs welcome around 6,000 incoming students each year to Texas A&M.
FISH CAMP
Fish Camp, “A Freshman’s First Tradition,” is designed to provide incoming freshmen the opportunity to establish relationships, meet student leaders, become familiar with Aggie traditions, the core values, and learn about campus life at Texas A&M. Hosted during a three-week period preceding the Fall semester, each three-day, two-night session is designed to aid students with the transition from high school to college and, particularly, to Texas A&M.
Peer counselors, as well as faculty and staff, speak on topics such as student involvement, academic and campus resources, personal development, community-building and traditions. In addition to providing educational programs, large-group activities, and small group discussions, Fish Camp allows students to get to know each other through recreation, free time activities, and evening social programs. Participants of Fish Camp will have the opportunity to continue gathering with their camps and small groups through different activities and events during the Fall semester. For information on Fish Camp and to learn how to register, please visit the Fish Camp website.
AGGIE TRANSITION CAMPS (TRANSFER AND HOWDY CAMP)
T-Camp, hosted annually in mid-August, and Howdy Camp, hosted in January, are three-day, two-night extended orientation programs for transfer and other non-traditional students entering Texas A&M in the summer, fall, and spring semesters. Peer counselors, as well as faculty and staff, speak on topics such as student involvement, academic and campus resources, personal development, Texas A&M Core Values, and university traditions. In addition to providing educational programs, staff also lead large-group social activities and facilitate conversations within small discussion groups.
After camp, counselors and other staff will support students by providing support and helping students locate campus resources and opportunities to get involved during their first semester at Texas A&M. Program staff will also plan activities for the camps and small discussion groups throughout the fall semester. For information on T-Camp and how to register for a session, please visit the ATC website.
VENTURE CAMPS
The Venture Camp programs are a collaboration between the Extended Orientation Team in the Department of Student Activities and the Outdoor Adventures Program in the Department of Rec Sports to welcome first-year students, transfer students, and other undergraduate student populations to Texas A&M University. The outdoor program offerings change from year to year depending on various factors, so we recommend you visit our website to learn more about the programs available each year. Past programs have included a 9-day backcountry backpacking trip in Eastern New Mexico, weeklong paddling trips along the Buffalo River in Arkansas, as well as a weeklong base camp program where participants will stay in a common location at night and take part in different activities like rock climbing, hiking, and paddling each day.
In all of our programs, participants can expect to meet other incoming students, current students and staff, learn about the traditions and core values of Texas A&M, hear about campus resources to help them in their transition to Texas A&M, and to challenge themselves in new ways through different activities.
Previous outdoor experience is not required for any of these programs, but a willingness to be an active participant and a team player is very important! To learn about this program and how to register, please visit the Venture Camp website.