-------------------------- N E W S R E L E A S E ---------------------------- Auburn University - University Relations (334) 844-9999 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6/14/95 Janet McCoy 1995 FRESHMAN TO GET 'AU EXPERIENCE' THROUGH CAMP WAR EAGLE AUBURN -- The more than 3,000 freshman who will enter Auburn University this fall will be introduced to college life through a special summer program designed to also teach them about AU's tradition and spirit. Camp War Eagle will be held in eight two-and-a-half day sessions in June, July and August. About 380 freshman are expected to attend each session, starting Monday, June 19, on campus, says Deborah Shaw Conner, associate director of student activities at AU and one of two camp directors. In addition to the camp for students, the AU Admissions Office is coordinating a camp for parents of freshmen to coincide with their child's campus. Camp War Eagle was created in 1994 as a boot camp of sorts to indoctrinate students on the principles of the "Auburn Spirit." One session was held for more than 100 students. This year's camp combines last year's successes and pre-college counseling, Shaw says. "Last year's camp was very popular and we wanted to expand it," she said. "We will not only prepare them for campus and college life, but we'll be giving them a taste of the traditions and spirit of Auburn. "The goal is to have our freshman feel more comfortable and prepared beginning college and this camp will do that academically and socially. We want to make these students happy because we know that happier students do better academically and are overall more successful in college life." Conner says the camp will be run by 35 camp counselors -- all AU upperclass students -- who will lead teams of no more than 12 students. Students will meet with academic advisors, register for fall quarter classes and learn about social and academic organizations on campus. Counselors will meet with the students often and discuss academic and social issues, says Conner. "They will be telling the students what it's like in the college classroom, how to prepare for what lies ahead and issues such as dating, relationships, decision making and alcohol awareness," she says. "We also expect the students to ask our counselors questions and we feel small groups are the best way to do that, instead of large groups of 400. We want to do all we can to help students adjust to college life." One new feature this year is that AU faculty will attend the camp and each camp is named for a faculty member selected by the counselors. "These faculty were nominated and selected by Auburn students because of their excellence in teaching and their support of students," Conner said. "When freshman start college this fall, they probably won't know any faculty but they will have had a positive experience with the faculty member who spoke to them during camp." Students will learn about Auburn's spirit through a variety of activities, including a pep rally at Jordan-Hare stadium. Auburn's mascot, Aubie, coaches from every sport on campus, the cheerleaders and Tiger Pause will lead the students in a "teaching pep rally," Conner says. "We lead the students out onto the field through the tunnel our football players come to with the speakers playing our fight song and other music," she says. Other activities include a bonfire, a 'Taste of Auburn', a fun run/walk each day and a University Program Council pizza party and comedy club. Tammy Hardin Wildmon, camp director for the parent's program and Camp War Eagle, says the parents program will help them learn about Auburn and meet administrators, faculty and academic advisors who will be assisting students. Parents will tour campus, attend a mock class from some of Auburn's most respected faculty, learn about financial aid, registration, Tiger Club accounts, the student health center, housing, campus police and programs for students with disabilities. "We're really excited about the parents camp and to date have had more than 1,800 parents register for the camps," Wildmon says. # # # june95:AU-camp CONTACT: Conner, 334/844-4710; Wildmon, 334/844-6438.