Fish Camp

I've heard stories about the greatness of Texas A&M "Fish Camp" -- the freshman orientation that welcomes incoming freshman for a 3 day, 2 night adventure. I always assumed it was on the College Station campus, but it is actually hosted at a Methodist Conference Center camp in Palestine, TX! Naomi just returned from her first Aggie indoctrination. 😏

While she seems to have had a good time, she also had some challenges. Thankfully, it was not a bazillion degrees outside, but unfortunately, it rained. A lot. And all that rain flooded the bathroom in their cabin. And the overhead light. And the A/C went out in the middle of the first night, so they all woke up sweating. And there were puddles all around their "low spot" cabin so they were in a constant state of wet socks.

As far as logistics, there were close to 1,000 kids in her session A (which was the first one offered this summer). They were divided into 8 different "camps". She was in the Aqua camp. Within each camp, there were 12 groups of roughly 8-10 kids and 2 counselors in each group. She was in a very "quiet" group. She said she repeatedly tried to get people to talk, but there was not much response. 🤷

She loved the big mixer. A big teen party where everyone danced and jumped up and down.

She loved the food.

She liked the skits performed by the counselors.

She enjoyed the yell practice. (She did not enjoy the "cussing" part of the yells.)

The small group sessions were OK - but again, her people were very quiet and not much energy, despite the counselors efforts to engage them.

She did take part in an epic game of Spades - something she had never played (and neither had the person she partnered up with), and yet they dominated the other players. VICTORY!

It was a good that she got to experience this A&M tradition to learn about A&M traditions! It did not quite meet the expectations of awesomeness, nor did she come home with a new group of college buddies, but it was worth the time!