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 page.
What is Transition Camp (T-Camp) and Howdy Camp?
Both T-Camp and Howdy Camp are 3-day, 2-night 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 has two session options for whichever may suit your needs better. Session One is at Lakeview Conference Center in Palestine, Texas. It is a 3-day, 2-night extended orientation program where students sleep in furnished cabins. Session Two is on campus at Texas A&M University; a 2-day program with a check-in/check-out method to allow students to return to their own housing for the night.
Are T-Camp and Howdy Camp the same as New Student Conferences (NSC)?
Camp and NSC's are 2 separate orientation programs and are planned out of 2 different offices here at Texas A&M. NSC's are a required orientation program for all incoming students, whereas T-Camp/Howdy Camp are optional, (but highly encouraged), programs for incoming students.
NSC is a 2-day on-campus informational program that provides an overview of the traditions and resources at Texas A&M. You are able to receive academic advisement and you can bring your primary support family members with you.
Camp is an extended orientation program that allows students to meet other incoming students, current students, and expand their network prior to starting classes. It is a 3-day and 2-night program OR 2 day on campus program where students learn about the traditions and resources at Texas A&M through yell practices, informational skits, and thoughtful discussion groups. Students also have the opportunity to make new friends with current and incoming students.
Camp does not take the place of a New Student Conference. 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
Why should I attend Camp?
The counselors and staff for Aggie Transition Camps are dedicated to easing the transition experience for new students. We want to provide you with information about Texas A&M and welcome you into the Aggie family. Campers will leave with a network of friends to help ease the anxiety of entering a university with over 50,000 students.
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, and graduate students. Any students who were unable to attend Fish Camp/T-Camp in the summer leading up to every fall semester have the option to attend Howdy Camp if they choose. Same goes for individuals who enter A&M in the spring semester, and were unable/did not attend Howdy Camp, may attend T-Camp if they choose.
What do you do at Camp?
First, students are split into "camps" that have a designated theme and color. In your respective camp (color and theme), you will furthermore be divided into Discussion Groups (DGs) and spend time getting to know each other and developing bonds that will last you throughout your college career.
Counselors have prepared skits to help teach you about the traditions and opportunities at A&M. In addition, our very own group of “yell leaders,” known as Team, will teach the yells and hold yell practice every night. We will also have guest speakers and programs such as the Rec and The Association of Former Students come and inform us about the amazing benefits their respective organizations provide Texas A&M students. There will also be small group interactions and a recreation of Silver Taps, Muster, and Bonfire.
As mentioned earlier, within each camp, you will be divided into Discussion Groups of 6-10 transfers and 2 counselors. These DGs 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 AC Time mean?
AC Time is All Camp time. During these times your Individual Camp will be the other Individual Camps in your session to learn more about Yells, campus resources, and traditions.
What does IC Time mean?
IC Time is Individual Camp Time. All campers are split into “camps” that have a designated theme and color. In your respective camp (color and theme), you will furthermore be divided into Discussion Groups (DGs) and spend time getting to know each other and developing bonds that will last you throughout your college career.
When is T-Camp 2025?
T - Camp 2025 will offer 2 sessions happening August 12th-14th at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center in Palestine, TX and August 17th-18th on campus in College Station, TX.
How do I register for T-Camp 2025?
Registration for T-Camp 2025 will open on May 5! 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 2025): 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 2025). If you have questions regarding getting registered for camp, please contact the ATC Advisor, Dalton Jones, at [email protected].
How much does T Camp cost and what does that cost cover?
T-Camp 2025's registration fee is $280 for Session One at Lakeview and $230 for Session Two on TAMU campus. The registration fee includes transportation to and from camp, lodging and meals for the duration of camp, a camp t-shirt, a water bottle, accident medical insurance while at camp, and access to professional medical care at camp. The fee for camp differs since there is not a need for lodging for the on campus session. 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. Prospective campers can apply for one of our scholarships when they register for camp through the CircuiTree portal. Please select the "T-Camp 2025 - Scholarship" option when you register and you will be prompted with the application questions during your registration process.
T-Camp 2025's Scholarship application will open at time of open registration and close on Monday, July 28th at 11:59 PM CST. Scholarship applicants will be notified no later than Friday, August 1 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?
Because our Director Staff will be at the campgrounds during camp, the ATC office will not be staffed throughout the days of camp. 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. After 12 noon on Day 1 of camp, every camper will be in contact with their Discussion Group (DG) leaders who will answer any questions they have while at camp. Campers 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. This email will provide detailed instructions of where to go the morning of Camp, what is needed to pack for Camp, and more. These confirmations will be sent automatically from the CircuiTree registration system.
What is the Camp Cancellation Policy?
Any participants that register for camp are succumb to the following cancellation policy, including a forfeiture of $10 of the deposit any time after registration, forfeiture of 25% of the camp tuition ($62.50) 1 month before camp, forfeiture 75% of the camp tuition ($187.50) 1 week before camp, and 100% forfeiture of the total deposit 1 day before camp.
Where is Camp located?
Howdy Camp and T-Camp Session One will be held at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center in Palestine, TX. Session Two for T-Camp 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 do not advise the following, but in the case of an emergency or special circumstance a participant's emergency contact may come pick them up at Lakeview. 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.