What is Aggie Transition Camps (ATC)?
Aggie Transition Camps (ATC) is the recognized student organization that organizes and runs T-Camp every August and Howdy Camp every January. For more information on camps, please refer to our About Us.
What is Transition Camp (T-Camp) and Howdy Camp?
Both T-Camp and Howdy Camp are multi-day extended orientation programs designed to introduce new students to the traditions, yells, and involvement/networking opportunities that exist at Texas A&M; all of which are accomplished this through engaging skits, thoughtful discussion groups, and other interactive programs. Our main goal is to have campers leave with a newly ignited Aggie Spirit, and many lasting friendships. T-Camp is our program during the late summer for students starting at the beginning of the academic year in August each year. Howdy Camp is our program during the winter for students starting in the middle of the fall and spring semesters every January. Both of these programs are supported by the Department of Student Activities, the Division of Student Affairs, and Texas A&M University. These programs are ran/facilitated by a mix of full-time Texas A&M Staff, and members of the student organization, Aggie Transition Camps.
Are T-Camp and Howdy Camp the same as New Student Conferences (NSC)?
T-Camp/Howdy Camp and New Student Conferences are 2 separate orientation programs and are planned out of 2 different offices here at Texas A&M. New Student Conferences are a REQUIRED orientation program for all incoming students, planned and facilitated by New Student & Family Programs, whereas T-Camp/Howdy Camp are optional, (BUT HIGHLY ENCOURAGED), programs for incoming students.
New Student Conference attendees receive valuable information about support services, academic policies, and campus resources. NSCs also emphasize the importance of building relationships, understanding financial commitments, and promoting personal safety and security. Through the NSC, students and their families gain a foundational understanding of campus life, traditions, and the opportunities available for academic and co-curricular engagement.
T-Camp/Howdy Camp is an extended orientation program that allows students to meet other incoming students, current students, and expand their network prior to starting classes. Our program is where students dive deeper into learning about the traditions and resources at Texas A&M through Traditions Programs, Informational Skits, and thoughtful Discussion Groups about campus life. Students also have the opportunity to make new friends with current and incoming students, connect with Texas A&M Faculty and Staff, and gain a deeper understanding of being full members of the Aggie Family.
T-Camp/Howdy Camp does not take the place of a New Student Conference, but is a highly encouraged add-on experience to round out your introduction/transition into Texas A&M. Again, in order to attend Texas A&M University, all new students are REQUIRED to attend a New Student Conference. For more information, visit http://newaggie.tamu.edu
Who is eligible to attend Camp?
Any student entering Texas A&M University may attend Howdy Camp in January or T-Camp in August every year and is open to freshmen, transfer, non-traditional, and graduate students. Any students who were unable to attend an Extended Orientation program in the leading up to their first semester have the option to attend an Aggie Transition Camp program if they choose. Please email [email protected] for more information about attending camp as a current student for a verification check.
What do you do at Camp?
At camp, students are split into "camps" or "ICs" that have a designated theme and color. In your respective camp (color and theme), you will be further divided into Discussion Groups, or "DGs" aka small groups, where you will spend time getting to know a smaller group of people and developing bonds that will last you throughout your college career.
Counselors have prepared information skits and programs to help teach you about the traditions, core values, opportunities to get involved, and resources available to support you during your at Texas A&M. In addition, our very own group of “yell leaders,” known as Team, will teach the Aggie Yells and some of our bigger traditions, such as Silver Taps, Aggie Muster, and Bonfire Remembrance throughout camp. We will also have guest speakers and programs about the amazing benefits their respective organizations and offices provide Texas A&M students.
As mentioned earlier, within each camp, you will be divided into Discussion Groups of 6-10 students and 2-3 Counselors. These small groups are where the lasting friendships are made. In addition to meeting new friends, you will have the opportunity to learn about Aggie life through your counselors and ask them any questions that you may have.
What does "All Camp" or "AC" Time mean?
All Camp Time is a designated time for the entire program to come together to learn/do Aggie Yells, learn/experience some of our larger Traditions like Silver Taps, the Aggie Ring, and "Howdy!", and hear from guests speakers from various on- and off-campus partners and resources. These time allow us to come together as an entire group to learn and experience some of the larger staple programming during camp. All Camp Time is facilitated by our group called "Team", who serve as our spirit group during camp. Team is named after someone who has made a significant impact on the Texas A&M community, and they will have a designated time to share a few words to inspire students as they begin their journey as members of the Texas A&M University community and the Aggie Network.
What does "Individual Camp" or "IC" Time mean?
Individual Camp Time is a designated time for our students to be broken down into smaller groups to learn about campus resources, life as a student in Bryan-College Station, and connect with fellow Aggies in a smaller setting. This time also will have designated time to split off into Discussion Groups ("DG's") and dive deeper into the Core Values, campus life, and ways to get involved as a student at Texas A&M. Individual Camps have a designated theme and color and are named after someone who has made a significant impact on the Texas A&M community, who will share a few words to inspire students as they begin their journey as members of the Texas A&M University community and the Aggie Network.
When and where is Howdy Camp 2026?
Howdy Camp 2026 will be January 9-10, 2026+ and will be held on-campus at Texas A&M University. The program will only be hosted during the day, so no lodging is included in our registration. Please refer to our Participant Registration Packet (coming soon) for more information about where to find a place to stay during the days of camp.
+There will be an optional program held the late afternoon of January 8th and will be an add-on option towards the end of registration. More information about this optional program coming soon!
How do I register for Howdy Camp 2026?
Registration for Howdy Camp 2026 will open on Thursday, October 23 at 1:00pm CST! Students who have been officially admitted and have accepted their admission to Texas A&M can register for camp through the CircuiTree Registration Portal. Click on the Camper Registration tab above for more info.
*PSA Students (T-Camp 2026): You must have officially completed all program requirements and have gained your official admission to Texas A&M before you can register for camp (T-Camp 2026). If you have questions regarding getting registered for camp, please contact the ATC Advisor, Dalton Jones, at [email protected].
How much does Howdy Camp cost and what does that cost cover?
Registration for Howdy Camp 2026 is currently TBD (expect cost to be around $200-$260). The registration fee will include meals for the duration of camp (lunches only), facility usage, camp activities, camp swag, and accident event/liability insurance while at camp. Insurance does not cover costs incurred for pre-existing conditions or treatment of illness.
What methods of payment are accepted?
We accept credit cards through the CircuiTree registration portal when you register for camp. If you do not have a credit card, please contact our Director of Finance at [email protected] and they will inform you of other payment options.
Are there scholarships available to attend Camp?
Yes! Scholarships are available in partial and full amounts, but are limited. Prospective campers can apply for one of our scholarships when they register for camp through the CircuiTree portal. Please select the "Howdy Camp 2026 - Scholarship" option when you register and you will be prompted with the application questions during your registration process.
Howdy Camp 2026's Scholarship application will open at time of open registration and close on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 11:59 PM CST. Scholarship applicants will be notified on whether they will be awarded a full/half scholarship, or will not be awarded a scholarship to attend camp. If a scholarship applicant is not awarded a scholarship, they will be expected to either pay their outstanding fee balance or notify the Director of Internal Relations and the Aggie Transition Camps Advisor that they would like to cancel their registration with no financial penalty.
If I have a question regarding Camp during the program itself, who do I contact?
You can call the Department of Student Activities at (979) 845-1133, and general questions will be answered by a Student Activities Staff member and/or passed along to the Aggie Transition Camp Advisors via email. Every participant will be in contact with their Discussion Group (DG) leaders who will answer any questions they have while at camp. Participants can email our Director of Internal Relations at [email protected] with any questions leading up to, during, and/or after camp.
I’m registered for Camp, now what?
Once we have received your registration and have paid the registration fee, you will receive a confirmation letter via email. The week before camp, all registered participants will receive a detailed confirmation regarding camp including information on parking, check-in, general itinerary, and more.
What is the Camp Cancellation Policy?
Any participants that register for camp are succumb to the following cancellation policy, including a forfeiture of $25 of the deposit any time after registration, forfeiture of 25% of the camp tuition 1 month before camp, forfeiture 75% of the camp tuition 1 week before camp, and 100% forfeiture of the total deposit 1 day before camp.
Where is Camp located?
Howdy Camp 2026 will be held on-campus at Texas A&M University (College Station main campus).
What should I bring?
Check our packing list for a comprehensive list of what we recommend bringing!
I need to leave camp early. What should I do?
Our recommendation to all registrants is that you attend the program from start to finish. It's an amazing time and we would hate for you to miss out on any portion of our program. We highly encourage that you define your priorities when considering registering for camp (i.e. New Student Conferences, move-in, Corps of Cadets Orientation, Panhellenic Recruitment, etc.). If a student determines that there is something that may take priority over camp that might make them have to leave camp early, we ask from a place of liability and risk mitigation that they do not sign up for camp and consider registering to attending a future camp the cycle following their first semester.