CAMP CRIMSON COMES TO AN END
Organizers say this year's program was better than last years.
This year's Camp Crimson was highly successful, an OU official said as the camp wrapped up this week.
The camp's nearly 230 participants checked out of the residence halls Wednesday.
Camp Crimson consisted of two three-day sessions that spanned Sunday through Tuesday of last week and this week.
Stuart Kotake, Oklahoma Memorial Union program coordinator, said Camp Crimson's performance was very good compared to last year.
The number and quality of the students and work of the camp counselors--all college students--have improved, he said. Last year, the camp's first year, the people who ran it had a lot to learn, he said.
"They've improved by leaps and bounds," Kotake said. "Who they affect and how them affect them has truly been improved."
Kotake said student evaluations from the first session came back with very high marks.
Participating students took with them knowledge of where campus buildings are, what important services they can access, and the names, faces, and phone numbers of 200 incoming freshmen.
"We got to meet the incoming freshmen before coming here," said camper Kristyan Gilmore, a graduate of North Shore High School in Houston. "We get to see the campus and get familiar with it."
Tamla Ray, graduate of James Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas, said, "We get to learn a lot about the traditions here at OU. We're getting to experience college life earlier, such as having roommates."
Kotake said Camp Crimson targets students who have already been admitted to other universities, but have not decided where to go. Camp Crimson's goal is to educate and train new students to be strong and loyal Sooners.
"We get them in our housing facilities," Kotake said. "They get a sampling of what OU has to offer, and OU does have a lot to offer. This hopefully helps them make their decision about coming to OU."
Jeff Hale, Student Life director in charge of Camp Crimson, said students come to OU to get acquainted with the university before becoming students. Some enroll while attending Camp Crimson.
During their stay, students participated in programs that immersed them in OU culture and tradition. They lived in residence halls. They toured the campus, during which they visited Bizzel Memorial Library and computer labs.
Toward the end of each session, they went to a dance and scavenger hunt. The dances had a '70s theme.
Camp organizers have learned something about stick-to-itiveness, Kotake said.
"By sticking with the program, our perserverance has really paid off, and we've basically established a legacy in history for future Sooners," Kotake said.