Tradition with a Twist

Every summer, directors, counselors and campers anticipate the journey to Lakeview United Methodist Conference Center in Palestine, Texas, for the first day of Fish Camp. Regarded by many as “an Aggie’s first tradition,” students form lasting friendships and learn about Texas A&M University’s cherished traditions and important university resources through informational skits, guest speakers and engaging presentations.

However, Fish Camp 2020 did not look the same this year. COVID-19 presented the organization with a new set of obstacles to overcome to introduce incoming freshmen into the Aggie family. Rather than take place in Palestine, Fish Camp was transformed into an online format. The director staff, chairs and counselors all tirelessly worked together to ensure the campers remained the focus of their mission.

Fish Camp 2020 Perspectives

Fish Camp 2020 Head Director Ryan Brown ’20 commented on the program’s success. “Through our online program, we transitioned more than 2,500 freshmen into the Aggie family,” he said. “They learned about traditions, campus life, and developed relationships with fellow campers and counselors. Although unprecedented circumstances caused Fish Camp to be different this year, the Aggie Spirit remained in all of us.”

Simon Holmes ’21, who served as a co-chair for Session D, aqua Camp Byrns, proudly spoke about his counselors’ performance and how they remained unwavering in their dedication to serve incoming students. “I quickly realized our virtual program was the most authentic freshmen experience Fish Camp has ever offered,” Holmes said. “Fish Camp 2020 was not what anyone expected, but it proved that the spirit of Aggieland remains strong despite distance or unusual circumstances.”

Taylor Speier ’24, an incoming freshman, highlighted her memorable experience and the program’s impact. “Before Fish Camp, I felt unprepared, vulnerable and uncertain,” Speier said. “By the end, I gained a renewed sense of confidence, overwhelming pride and an unconditional support system as I begin my Aggie journey.”

Sustaining Tradition

The organization’s success would not be possible without the assistance of donations and endowments. Campers must pay a $250 fee, while student counselors must pay $200 for leadership trainings, camp apparel and other camp necessities. Endowments supporting Fish Camp scholarships through the Texas A&M Foundation provide a limited number of scholarships for those who cannot afford these dues.

Matt Berckmoes ’18, the 2017 Fish Camp student director, stressed that financial factors should not limit counselors’ ability to serve freshmen or students’ ability to attend. “With more funds for scholarships that cover fees for freshmen and counselors, we can lessen financial burdens and ensure that more Aggies get to fully experience the joy and benefit of Fish Camp,” Berckmoes said.

While donors can contribute any amount to improve the organization and financially assist campers and counselors, endowed gifts of $25,000 or more—payable over a five-year period—will grow the endowment’s base value and grant more scholarships over the long-term. In total, Fish Camp seeks a $1.5 million endowment, which could support incoming freshmen and counselors with financial need each year.

For Michelle ’04 and True Brown ’04, Fish Camp marked the beginning of their relationship, so they established an endowed scholarship to champion the program that brought them together. “We would not have met if not for our days at Lakeview, so it is important to us to support this organization,” Brown said. “It would be a shame for financial obstacles to prevent students from attending Fish Camp and miss an opportunity that could change their lives as it did ours.”

Fish Camp’s impact spans across all counselors or campers involved and provides a sense of belonging and family. Studies show that students who attend Fish Camp have a 7% higher first-to-second year retention rate than those who do not. As a sponsored organization in the Department of Student Activities within the Division of Student Affairs, Fish Camp introduces students to resources that can assist them in times of need. It gives confidence and support through these services and is a freshman’s initial glimpse into what it means to be a part of the Aggie family.
 

To support the Fish Camp membership endowment and give more freshmen the chance to attend and more students the opportunity to lead as counselors, contact Megan Pulliam '09 by completing the form below.