Camp Season in Full Swing

For the Florida College admissions department, summer means camp, and camp means future students.

The 2008 camp season is well underway. Out of the 22 total camps, 14 have already occurred or are currently taking place.

While the economy and other factors have taken their toll on attendance numbers, some camps–like Florida Camp–boasted a record number this year.

An exciting innovation this year was the appearance of the FC musical Friends at six camps. “It was great,” Camp Relations Officer Amy Vavra said. “The kids were excited. [The Friends] were playing to the audience they’re supposed to be playing to–high school kids.”

Camps are the primary recruiting tool for the college. “It’s how a lot of people find out about FC,” Vavra said. “You meet new people; you make friends that share your values.” For a lot of kids, she says, “it’s one of the only places they feel like they fit in.”

Camp is not college and college is not camp, Vavra emphasizes. But there are fundamental similarities between the two, namely the spiritual atmosphere and the relationships that are cultivated therein.

“Which is why we need people to share their FC experience,” Vavra said. In the 22 camps this summer, there will be more than 1,000 adult volunteers. These volunteers are vital not only to the operation of the camp, but also to the college’s very purpose for the camps. It is one of the best ways for alumni to give back to the school, introducing kids to the values and opportunities available at FC from a firsthand experience.

If you are interested in volunteering your time as a counselor, or in contributing to high school scholarships or other camp fundraisers, contact your local camp director.

If you are interested in attending a camp, you can still register for Virginia, Colorado, and Oregon camps. Click here for more information.