So I decided on OU a few days ago and I’m trying to decide if I want to attend Camp Crimson or not. I am from Michigan so I would have to fly into Oklahoma to get there but it seems like it might be a good opportunity for me to get to spend a little more time there and begin to adjust. I was wondering if anyone has gone or has insight into it and could tell me about their experience or takeaway from it and if you think it might be worth it.
My daughter went and loved it! I really think it helped her learn more about what OU has to offer and encouraged her to get involved in campus life. She didn’t fly but drove the six plus hours each way by herself for the first time. I know many people do fly in and they provide transportation to and from the airport.
My daughter will be attending Camp Crimson this Summer. She will fly into Oklahoma city and the camp is providing transportation to and from the airport. She is a little scared about flying by herself, but she’s so excited about going to OU that it didn’t stop her from wanting to go to camp. I don’t have any first hand knowledge of the camp…just what I have read from posters on college confidential. I’m guessing the experience you get from a Camp Crimson or any freshman orientation is predominantly based on your attitude going into the camp.
If you’re super excited about college, certainly the Camp Crimson orientation team’s goal is to get you even more pumped up about starting college. If you have a less excited attitude about moving away and starting college, then it’s probably harder for a group of energetic college students to get your excitement level up. My D has a really positive attitude going in, so I’m expecting that she’s a good audience for the camp counselors.
@3scoutsmom I’d appreciate your input. My son is fairly introverted and not into “rah rah” stuff at all. But he does enjoy group activities sometimes (like marching band). Would this be a good chance for him to make friends, or is he likely to feel out of place with so much “rah rah”?
My D flew in from OOS last year to attend-- she was very tired the first day (had to leave home at 4ish AM to catch flight; etc) and was a bit overwhelmed by the energy level; but she rallied and had a good time. Transportation to/from campus was arranged and easy to navigate. My D is pretty outgoing and typically enjoys these kind of events. She did say, however, that she wishes she had flown in the night before so she started well rested as she felt a bit grumpy the first day. When I was on campus recently- I did notice she would say hi to some folks that she said were in her small group from Camp Crimson. I would say, if you could make it work, go-- you’ll feel more comfortable navigating the campus, and you’ll come away knowing some other kids to sit with at dinner during the first week of awkwardness on campus, and a few free t-shirts.
@TexasMom2017 my D is so anti ‘rah rah’ it’s not even funny, seriously the happiest day in high school was when she found out that she could go to the library instead of pep rallies! Yes the energy level is high and LOUD, recommend bringing earplugs. As @oneundecided said, she made friends that she’s still keeping up with. From what I’ve heard it’s a very inclusive event, they break up into small groups and no one is left out. It really is a great program and left her feeling connected to OU before school even started. D was also able to get her student ID and register her bike and get some other ‘house keeping’ things done before fall which also took some of the stress off.
@frazzledsenior17 Our D flew in for Camp Crimson and found it to be worthwhile. She went the day before - you can pay a little extra for the additional night. There isn’t arranged transportation if you go a day early, but she was easily able to get an uber and get to campus without any difficulty.
@3scoutsmom thanks! Good to know!
@frazzledsenior17 Different input. My D did not participate in Camp Crimson, though I asked if she is interested and can take care of the expense. She is neither a shy person nor a high energy person, though she is involved in HS clubs and president for a club and co-founded / president for another club. Though it is a challenging and new phase in life and especially from the area where she grew up versus OU demographics, I feel she is doing well and very happy in OU. It took a while, but eventually she got some good friends in the same dorm floor and other students from programs/classes. She is moving to an apartment with her dorm friends coming year. Welcome to OU and GL.
@3scoutsmom @GoldenRock @oneundecided @jerzmaster thank you all for your input! It seems like a great opportunity overall the only thing that makes me hesitate is that including airfare and such it would be over $600 dollars for me to attend
@frazzledsenior17 you need to look at the big picture as @GoldenRock pointed out you do not need to go to Camp Crimson to be successful at OU but it does make it a bit easier to settle in and find your grove. When you look at how much a semester at OU costs $600 is not that much and part of that is including food and you have to eat anyway.
You can also look into scholarships to cover the cost of Camp Crimson if it something decide you want to do and can’t afford: http://www.ou.edu/content/campcrimson/scholarships.html
@3scoutsmom I do very much want to go because I feel that it would be helpful in adjusting and I have a hunch I will need all the help I can get. I know that I’m the whole scheme of things compared to the cost of attendance it is not very significant (though I will be going with the national merit package so the comparison is not as dramatic) however I guess it’s just hard for me to wrap my brain around spending 600 and some more dollars for 2 nights and 3 days in addition to all the other things I will have to be spending money on in the upcoming months. I do really appreciate your input and the positive takeaway that your daughter got from it makes it seem that maybe it would be worth it.
@frazzledsenior17 if it helps any-- the bill for Camp Crimson was not due until the rest of the first semester bill was (which I think was in September…)
My daughter would like to go to Camp Crimson, but would rather go on the Outdoor Adventure first year trip. I can only afford one (because plane tickets are $$$), so First Year Adventure it is!
http://www.ou.edu/honors/student-life-resources/outdooradventure.html
@oneundecided that does actually help a little bit thank you! At least that way the Camp cost and airfare could be spread out a bit
@frazzledsenior17 You should consider the Honors college outdoor adventure @Mommertons provided a link for. If you can only go to one event, I would choose the campout/hike with the honors college. That just sounds like an exciting introduction to college and the honors college too! I know my daughter is upset at me for planning our Summer vacation on the days that the adventure will happen.
@jerzmaster @Mommertons I have read about that but I unfortunately have things planned during the time of that trip. I’m not much of an outdoorsy person anyway. Thank you for the suggestion though!
@jerzmaster My daughter was upset with me for being born too late-- you have to be 18 to go on the honors adventure trip-- if only I had planned better!
LOL. Mine was only 17 then as well.
S1 did not attend Camp Crimson. He is not a rah rah guy (though has grown into quite the Sooner fan over the years). We wanted him to go, he declined. At the end of the day, it will not hurt to miss it, but I still think it is a good idea for most.
You can get to OKC by train (or bus). I know of a NMF kid from the midwest wanted to go home for Thanksgiving and his parents could not afford to fly the kid home. So they bought a train ticket instead.