Duck Camp? WE LOVE IT!

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Duck Camp… WE LOVE IT! Duck Camp is Tarleton’s first-year camp for students. Students spend three days and two nights learning about everything Tarleton-related. It is arguably one of the best traditions Tarleton has to offer and that’s why WE LOVE IT! 

My name is Emily Kahler. I’m a senior, communication studies major, and a second-year Tarleton Transition Mentor (TTM). I’ve experienced Duck Camp from both sides – as a leader and as a camper, so here are some of my favorite perks of Duck Camp!

Tarleton Transition Mentors forming a tunnel with their arms and a female blonde TTM running through the tunnel smiling.

Meet new friends 

At Duck Camp, your groups are assigned (mostly) based on your housing assignment, so you will get to know people who will be living around you. If you are an admitted student and have not completed your housing application, you can do so by clicking here. Aside from that, you meet SO MANY people at Duck Camp. It makes campus feel so much more home-y when you move into your dorm in the fall. 

Students at Duck Camp standing on a circle pallet of wood forming a circle by wrapping their arms around each other.

Have a mentor (TTMs)

Each Duck Camp group has two Tarleton Transition Mentors (TTMs) to lead you through the camp experience. These TTMs have spent months preparing for your arrival! They are there to teach you about all that Tarleton has to offer and serve as a mentor to you for the duration of your time at Tarleton. My TTMs from attending Duck Camp the summer before my freshman year inspired me to become a TTM. They are always there for whatever I need and I wanted to offer that to incoming students. It’s such a great feeling to know that you already have some upperclassmen who are there for you and have your back as you walk into a brand new world at college. 

Two Tarleton Transition Mentors posing for the camera, smiling. One is holing up a peace hand sign and the other is holding up the Tarleton Texans hand sign.

Learn about Tarleton & the traditions 

As mentioned before, you get to learn so much about what it is truly like to go to Tarleton. Duck Camp will make you fall even more in love with Tarleton and all it has to offer! From purple pancakes, to yell contest, to beating the drum – there is so much to experience! Learn more about Tarleton traditions here.

Students at Duck Camp participating in the min Yell Contest. Students are spaces out evenly wearing purple performing their yell.

Get to see the Purple Poo 

Our friends, the Purple Poo, might even make a surprise appearance one of the nights at Duck Camp! *hint hint* If you have never met them before, Duck Camp is the perfect place to meet them for the first time! You may even have a chance to get a Poo Sign – but don’t ask for one!

Purple Poo in Wisdom Gym at Tarleton dancing on the floor.

Get a taste of being on your own 

For many students, this is the first time they will be away from home! It’s like a three day test trial for actually moving away from home!

A student at Duck Camp posing in front of a colorful, retro Duck Camp painted sheet/backdrop. She has dark brown hair and is holding a fruit by the foot in her hand that trails up to her mouth. She has gushers in the other hand and is looking at the camera surprised.

Brings you out of your comfort zone/shell 

Duck Camp is the perfect place to grow out of your comfort zone. You are around new people and you get to decide how you want to spend your next four years around your classmates. Even for those who are introverts (like myself), you will have a great time. Everything at Duck Camp is what we like to call “challenge by choice,” so nobody will force you to participate in anything you don’t want to participate in. 

Students at duck camp are holding up an inflatable yellow duck with sunglasses. The students are celebrating the yellow inflatable duck.

Have so much FUN 

Duck Camp is jam packed with fun activities- there is not a dull moment! There are activities like a slip and slide, all nighters, sign games, team building, a yell contest, and so much more! You will make memories and friends that will last a lifetime! Follow @DuckCampWeLoveIt on Instagram to stay up to date on all things Duck Camp-related!

Students in a ball pit at Duck Camp throwing ball pit, plastic balls in the air. Students' arms are raised in the air as they throw the multi colored balls.

Duck Camp as a camper is a once-in-a lifetime experience, there’s nothing quite like it! Registration, Duck Camp dates, and more information can be found here. Even if you are unsure about it, I urge you to give it a chance! You never know what you will learn, who you will meet, or how you will grow from attending Duck Camp. See you around campus soon!

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