Frosh Camp celebrates sweet 16

Now entering its sixteenth year, Frosh Camp executive director Cortney Richardson said he expects this year's experience to be the birthday event of the summer.

Frosh Camp is a four-day camp held in two separate sessions exclusively for incoming freshmen each summer at Camp NaCoMe in Pleasantville, Tenn., about 150 miles east of Memphis. Last year, more than 50 counselors taught 250 freshmen what it means to be a Tiger.

In 2010, the program's executive board decided to do something special.

The "Sweet Sixteen" celebration will feature birthday themed events, coordinators said.

"It is going to be like a birthday party, and I expect it to be by far the best year ever," Richardson said. "We are looking for students that share a passion for The University of Memphis and that are involved and knowledgeable about the school."

Counselor applications are due Monday in Wilder Tower. Positions are open to all U of M students who are interested in becoming a Frosh Camp counselor. No previous experience is necessary.

The camp, financed by the Student Government Association, is a student-run and student-organized event that pairs counselors up as "husbands" and "wives" who are assigned a group of campers to become their "sons" and "daughters."

The adoptive families participate in activities like family Olympics, dances and water balloon fights.

"The primary role of the counselor is to be a mentor in these families and make the campers excited about The University of Memphis and how to get involved on campus," said 2009 head camp counselor Samantha Murphy.

Katie Russo, 2009 Frosh Camp counselor and junior public relations major, reapplied for the position this year. Serving as a mentor to younger students is a rare opportunity that she hopes to continue, she said.

"Frosh Camp reaching its sixteenth year proves that this is a great and strong organization and that it is really reaching out to the students," she said. "It is very honorable to be a part of that and to be surrounded by an amazing group of people."

Director of activities Rob Matheson said he believes Frosh Camp is one of The U of M's most significant programs because it celebrates school traditions, like teaching freshmen the fight song and basic campus knowledge.

Freshman nursing major Falon Roberson attended Frosh Camp last summer.

"Being away in the country without the craziness of the city made it a lot easier to get to know everyone," Roberson said. "I still talk to my 'sister' and 'parents' when I see them on campus. It was definitely a fun experience."

From his new counselors, Matheson said he expects to see a variety of qualifications, such as time management, leadership and sociability with freshmen. He also wants to re-vamp the schedule with a larger budget from local donors, adding more athletic activities and inviting guest speakers.

"Student involvement in sports has decreased on campus, so we hope to get some basketball players and the new coaches to speak to the students to motivate them to get more involved," he said.

Students should be motivated for counselor positions, Russo said, because it is an opportunity for them to give back and show passion for their own Tiger spirit.

"These students look up to us because we are teaching them how to be a Memphis Tiger and what is exciting about college life," Russo said.

Plus, Richardson said, it looks great on a resume.

"Students understand that this is a competitive job because a University job prepares them for the workforce," he said.

James Johnson, Student Government Association president and 2009 Frosh Camp counselor, said that being awarded this position is also fulfilling. It is his job to welcome incoming students to The U of M.

"There are only 60 counselors chosen and the executive board weeds through the application to pick the best so that it becomes a valuable program," he said. "When I was at frosh camp my counselors were role models and pushed me in the right direction. Now I can do the same thing for these new students."