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Counselors and co-chairs dance to the Macarena at the Impact fall retreat. The purpose of the retreat was to prepare for Impact 2009, discuss the logistics of the camp and how to treat incoming freshman.

Counselors and co-chairs prepare for Impact at the Impact fall retreat. The organization was started 10 years ago.

Campfire speakers give advice to freshmen in Camp McBride at Fish Camp 2008.

Fish Camp, Impact help students connect

By: Julie Rambin

Posted: 6/3/09

This summer, around 70 percent of the Class of 2013 will attend an extended orientation program before coming to Texas A&M, said Fish Camp director and senior wildlife and fisheries sciences major Kim Putnam.

Some will attend Fish Camp, a freshman orientation program at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center in Palestine, Texas. Some will attend Impact, a freshman nondenominational Christian orientation and retreat at Latham Springs Baptist Encampment in Aquilla, Texas.

The programs are meant to educate students about college life and give students a community to rely on during the first semester of college, said Putnam.

"[Freshmen] get started off on the right track coming to Texas A&M," said Putnam.

At Fish Camp, students participate in discussion groups of 10-12 freshmen and two upperclassmen leaders. Over the four-day camp, students will view skits and participate in programs put on by students, organizations and University departments, covering subjects of academics, traditions and campus life.

"We're just still continuing to grow and expand," Putnam said. "With the large incoming freshman class, Fish Camp is experiencing that boom as well."

Last summer, 5,151 freshmen attended Fish Camp, and this year, only a week into registration, almost 4,000 students have signed up to attend, said Putnam.

"We're meeting a more diverse population, making sure that everything we do is very intentional and in line with our mission and values," Putnam said.

Impact, which began in 1999, focuses on faith during the college transition, said Impact director and senior finance major Jillian Klaver.

"Our goal is to show them how they can keep their faith in college, and how they can do that with lots of friends and lots of support," Klaver said.

At Impact, students are split into "basic groups" of eight freshmen and two upperclassmen counselors. Morning and evening speaker sessions are led by Ben Stuart of Breakaway and feature music by Jeff Johnson. Special activities during camp include an all-camp relay race, themed dance party and a ministry fair.

This year's Impact staff anticipates 1,000 incoming freshmen.

"There's nothing like being able to be guided or mentored by someone who has walked the road before you … it makes you stronger as a Christian, and also stronger as a college student who's just coming into your own," said Klaver.

The camps help bridge the gap between high school and college,

"Fish Camp was really good about introducing the traditions of the University, getting you to understand what they were about," said 2006 Fish Camp participant and senior chemistry major Kaitlin Burke.

The support of fellow freshmen and counselors eased the transition to Texas A&M, said 2006 Impact participant and senior recreation, parks and tourism sciences major Kyle Watson.

"It was really good for me to meet other Christians," Watson said.

Any freshman can attend Fish Camp.

"There's no Fish Camp type; there's no one who won't fit in at Fish Camp," Putnam said.

However, not all students found the experience welcoming.

"There was a lot of sexual innuendo and crude jokes and stuff. There were things that went against my morals," said 2007 Fish Camp participant and junior psychology major Brittany Brown.

Fish Camp does, however, give students the opportunity to meet future classmates, she said.

"It really helped just to meet people," Brown said. "I'm still friends with some of them."

Meeting new people was a significant part of Impact and Fish Camp, Burke said.

"It gave you a group of people to turn to for help with class schedules and the first football game," Burke said.

The two organizations function harmoniously side-by-side, Klaver said.

"Impact loves Fish Camp, and Impact does not want to compete with Fish Camp at all," Klaver said. "The idea that we're in competition is a myth."

Putnam agreed that competition is not the goal.

"We serve a different mission. We encourage our students to attend both camps if they're interested in both," Putnam said.

She feels every freshman would benefit from attending one of the camps.

"You should absolutely come," said Putnam. "It's just the best way possible to start your journey into Aggieland. It's a lot of fun."