Ohio Wesleyan University requires first-year students to attend a camp experience during their first weekend on campus, but do students feel like the experiences are beneficial?
Students are assigned to a camp based on their personal preference with the choice between service, challenge, or wilderness. Challenge camp at Flying Horse Farms focuses on enjoying the great outdoors while doing activities within assigned small groups. For some students, this is their first experience in Ohio and for everyone, it is their first time meeting the students who will be with them for the next 4 years.
Group activities at Challenge Camp. Photo courtesy of Mia Jung.
Cameron Gray, a freshman from Michigan, described her experience at Challenge camp as beneficial and focused on creating a level of comfort among peers.
“They really forced me to work with others and let me have fun and not be afraid to show new people different sides of my personality.” She added that her belief about the purpose of Camp OWU was “to create a level of comfort amongst peers and to help students feel less stressed about the start of the school year.”
Another first-year student, Claire Trombley of Columbus, OH, had a similar experience and mindset on challenge camp at Ohio Wesleyan.
“I feel that it was very beneficial because I had a lot of fun and it was a really great way to get to know many people who are also new to OWU,” said Trombley.
Camp OWU prides itself on its ability to create and foster friendships between incoming students as well as camp leaders, faculty, and staff. Trombley comments on the camp's ability to do so.
“This was fulfilled when I started feeling really close to my group and we always eventually succeeded by working as a team,” said Trombley.
These students spend a weekend on or off campus together and there is a question of whether these 3 days help students beyond their first month or even their first year at college. Junior student Maria Colatruglio from Tiffin, OH, comments on the relationships she formed at camp and their effect now.
“I wouldn’t say friendships but I definitely say hi and get with them for group projects if they are in my class but I don’t go out of my way to seek anyone from my group out,” said Colatruglio.
Colatruglio also stated that the relationships were stronger and more prevalent in her freshman year.
“I would say it did help with the rest of my freshman year because I recognized people on campus and in classes. It eliminates the feeling that they don’t have anyone on campus,” said Colatrruglio.
Camp OWU is a one-of-a-kind experience during which students are able to make friends, get comfortable, as well as be challenged with the support of faculty and staff behind them. Reagan Davis, a junior from Columbus, OH reflected back on her experience at Flying Horse Farms.
“It seems dumb when you’re doing it and you really might question the purpose but it is fun and a good way to get yourself involved and acclimated with the people that will be in your classes. Because of the campus size, you see these people everywhere and being comfortable with them makes OWU feel like home,” said Davis.
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