by Mariela Claudio
For most students, going to a new school can be terrifying. Luckily, Camp Crimson is here to help at The University of Oklahoma.
Camp Crimson has been an OU institution since 1995. This year, it started June 18 with the transfer session for students. This camp focuses more on helping students learn about the campus and its traditions.
Maryann Callaway is a soon-to-be junior. She transferred from Western Oklahoma State College.
“When you think of Oklahoma, you think of OU. You think of Sooner,” Callaway said. “It’s history. It’s just Oklahoma.
An incoming student is greeting by a Camp Crimson group as he arrived at a campus dormitory.
“I don’t think of any of the other schools when I think of Oklahoma. If I wasn’t going to OU, I would be going somewhere far away, and I’d rather be at home. Other schools don’t have a chance,” she said.
Small group leaders (SGLs) teach the campers about OU while having fun and bonding. They help campers establish friendships that could last beyond college.
Some students like the experience so much they return to work as SGLs at the camp.
Angel Worth was a transfer student last year. She attended Camp Crimson as a junior and has returned as a co-SGL.
“[Camp Crimson] gave me a lot of opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise, and I wanted to help them with that, too,” Worth said.
One of this year’s transfer student campers, Garett Ebersole, came to OU from Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa. Ebersole, a soon-to-be junior, said he almost didn’t come to the camp. He works for a DJ at OU and said having that experience has made him familiar with the campus.
“I’ve been with him (his boss) and seen almost everything that goes on,” Ebersole said.
Camp Crimson will have four more camps before the school year starts.
Students who wish to apply to be a camper can visit www.ou.edu/campcrimson.
Students who want to be SGLs fill out applications in the spring. About 800 students applied to be SGLs this year. Only 300 made it.
Those wishing to apply to be an SGL can apply in the spring by visiting www.ou.edu/campcrimson.
