Meet Jasmine Dennis! Jasmine is a sophomore majoring in History, African, and African American Studies from Ashdown, AR. Jasmine is involved in the Black Student Association, Students Advocating Stronger Sisterhood, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Orientation Mentor and an ACT Academy Mentor. A fun fact about Jasmine is that she’s related to Silas Hunt!
After your student attends orientation and is preparing to transition into the Razorback community they are usually a little bit worried about how their lifestyle will change once they’ve made it to the University of Arkansas. I know I was. Your future Razorback may worry about how they will make friends, wonder if they will ever learn their way around campus, or just question how they can get involved at such a big institution. The University of Arkansas offers several extended orientation programs that will help with those problems that your student may encounter the summer before moving in. R.O.C.K. (Razorback Outreach for Community and Knowledge) Camp and R.O.C.K. Camp Adventure are two of those extended orientation programs that encourage school spirit and bonding amongst your future Razorback and their new classmates at the University of Arkansas. Both of these camps, while different, provide the essential information about the University of Arkansas that your student may still be wondering about.
So, what exactly is R.O.C.K. Camp and R.O.C.K. Camp Adventure? They are camps that will jump start your student into their collegiate career. R.O.C.K. Camp focuses on the traditions and campus culture that students at the University of Arkansas need to know. R.O.C.K. Camp will allow your student the opportunity to make friends and connect with upperclassmen who lead the camps before classes start. These upperclassmen will be mentors to your student and provide them with all of the necessary tools they will need to transition smoothly into their first year here at the University of Arkansas.
Your student will be able to move in to their residence hall early and begin their camp experience on campus when they attend R.O.C.K. Camp. Soon after they will be transported to Arrowhead Campground in Welling Oklahoma to continue their camp experience in actual cabins. Your student will have the opportunity to go on a float trip among other fun outdoor activities. There will be about 350 students participating in this session and spots are filling up quickly so ensure your students’ spot today!
R.O.C.K. Camp Adventure is more outdoors-based than the traditional camp. The Adventure camp is partnered with the University Recreation Outdoors department, who provides supplies and equipment for your students’ journey. The R.O.C.K. Camp Adventure students travel across Northwest Arkansas and into the Buffalo River State Park to partake in activities including canoeing, spelunking, hiking, camping, and rock climbing. This camp session is significantly smaller with about 20 students in each of the three sessions.
Before my freshman year of college began, I was extremely worried about the immense changes I was about to endure in the transition from high school to college. I signed up for R.O.C.K Camp as a way to meet other incoming freshmen and become familiar with the campus before school actually started. During camp, I experienced camping and a float trip, two things I had never done previously. I had such a great time and I really fell in love with the university after learning the traditions and culture of the campus. I enjoyed my R.O.C.K Camp experience so much that I made it my mission to give incoming students the same experience I had. I applied to be a R.O.C.K Camp mentor and was able to experience R.O.C.K camp in a different light. I appreciated the program even more as a mentor after I realized how much hard work and dedication the mentors and the professional staff put in to make it the best experience for future Razorback students. I highly recommend every incoming student attend R.O.C.K Camp to get the same appreciation for the University that I have now.
R.O.C.K. Camp Adventure sessions begin next week and there is only one spot left in the second session so make sure you sign your student up now if they want to participate. R.O.C.K. Camp Traditions and Spirit will be held from August 12-15 this year so register your student today at https://rockcamp1.uark.edu/registration/!