Students enjoying Frog Camp during the summer of 2024. (Photo courtesy of Noah Sheridan)
Despite recent colder temperatures, TCU’s Office of New Student and Family Programs is already preparing for a hot Texas summer. Student directors and staff started planning for this summer’s orientation and Frog Camp.
As former facilitator and future Frog Camp director Ellie Adamson said, “There are so many things that go into Frog Camp that it’s so essential that we plan it in advance.”
While Frog Camp is optional, many students choose to participate. The first camp begins in June, and the final Frog Camp takes place in early August. Frog Camp caters to a wide variety of students, offering various camp environments ranging from an international trip to a more traditional camping experience.
Orientation is required for incoming students and runs from May through the first week of July. Early preparation is crucial, according to 2025 Orientation Coordinator Bradley Huffman. Orientation plays an important role in setting the tone for first-year students.
“There’s a lot of times where you can really see the difference you’re making on campus, so that’s a pretty cool thing,” Huffman said. “Just seeing the impact you can make is a huge thing.”
Both programs are important for first-year and returning students alike. For first-year students, it is an opportunity to get to know the campus and community they will soon call home. For returning students, they provide key leadership and student bonding opportunities. Whether a first-year tadpole or a senior frog, one thing is certain: programs like Frog Camp and Orientation are essential for uniting the Horned Frog family.