It’s where students first learn to “put your Frogs up,” and that “Riff Ram Bah Zoo” is a cheer. It’s where friendships are formed and where first-year students get their first glimpse of life without family.
Frog Camp, a TCU-style orientation, has evolved from a four-day program at Camp Greene in Bruceville, Texas, to a variety of experiences that help incoming students connect at TCU.
According to TCU Institutional Research, over 80% of incoming students will attend Frog Camp. With over a dozen sessions and half a dozen themes, there’s something for everyone.
TCU offers seven different camps for summer 2025: Casa Nueva, All-Stars, Challenge, Nashville, Alpine, Mystery and Iceland. Nashville, Alpine, Mystery and Iceland all incur additional costs.
Landon Sherlin, a Frog Camp facilitator and a senior who now serves as a director of Frog Camp shared his insights to help incoming students pick their ideal camp.
Welcome to Fort Worth with Casa Nueva
This camp is an intro class of sorts to Fort Worth for all incoming students. Students are given their first tour and taken to Fort Worth’s best spots, including the Fort Worth Zoo, Sundance Square and the historic Stockyards. Students will also get a taste of real Texas BBQ. Sherlin said this camp encompasses the vibes of Fort Worth, culture and leads to making good memories in your new city.
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Students enjoying Frog Camp during the summer of 2024. (Photo courtesy of Noah Sheridan)
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Campers dancing to end the night at Casa (Courtesy of Grace Brunton)
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Alpine Frog Camp (Courtesy of TCU Media)
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All-Stars at a local game (Courtesy of TCU)
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Challenge campers after the Grimy Games (Courtesy of TCU)
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TCU take on Nashville (Courtesy of TCU)
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Challenge Campers roasting marshmallows (Courtesy of TCU)
Embrace the Adventure with Challenge
Think of a typical summer camp with a challenge course, a pool and the grimy games which allow students to get muddy and make memories. This camp encompasses teamwork and is great for making friends, sitting by a campfire roasting marshmallows and having some friendly competition.
Hit It Out of the Park with All-Star Camp
This camp experience is every sports fan favorite. Students go to a Texas Rangers baseball game, and tour AT&T Stadium to experience DFW Sports. This camp is full of energy, team challenges and the start of students’s love for TCU Athletics teams.
Get Your Boots… We are going to Nashville
Students get to travel to Music City for their Frog Camp experience. They will tour places like the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame, all while traveling and bonding with new college friends and facilitators.
Enjoy the Wild at Alpine
This special camp takes place in Almont, Colorado and is meant to be an “off the grid” experience while doing activities like rock climbing, white-water rafting and high ropes with fellow incoming students. Students sleep in rustic cabins and eat family style to help create a community.
Who Likes a Mystery?
TCU’s Mystery Frog Camp is a secret destination camp that is not revealed until you show up at the airport. Last year, the destination was New Orleans.
Adventure to… Iceland?
TCU is taking it out of the U.S.! This is a week-long opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture with new peers and mentors.
“The overall importance of frog camp is to find a community prior to starting school in the fall,” Sherlin said. “Many people come into TCU knowing absolutely no one, so being able to bond with your small group can be a huge blessing!”
When you choose your camp, stay true to you and allow the full TCU experience, he said.
