Sounds of cheering students and the sight of late-night dance parties are true symbols
of Frog Camp – an extended orientation program designed to welcome TCU’s incoming class with open arms. The traditions that Frog
Camp brings to new students are unforgettable, allowing them to truly experience the community that
comes with becoming a Horned Frog.
Students are encouraged to leave their comfort zones and engage in conversations with strangers who quickly become close friends. Frog Camp Directors (like me) and facilitators are there to help shape these experiences that go on to create relationships.
These conversations, combined with large group activities and dance parties, welcome
all students coming in for their first year, including those who have transferred
from another college.
What do students do at Frog Camp?There are so many different experiences that Frog Camp offers surrounding each camp’s
theme. Casa Nueva – translating to “new home” – gives students a view of Fort Worth culture, allowing
them to visit the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, the Fort Worth Zoo and Sundance
Square.
Other themes include All-Stars, Challenge, and a variety of travel camps outside of Texas and even beyond the United States. Each camp has its own personality and activities – watch the videos to learn more!
Why is Frog Camp special?The best part of Frog Camp is the community that it creates. I now walk around campus
and see campers who mustered up the courage to introduce themselves and fully embrace
the parts of Frog Camp that create a sense of belonging. All of the waves, friendly
smiles, and quick conversations with each and every one of them continually make my
day.
The final day of Frog Camp is usually an emotional one for campers. I’m usually not a crier, but as the lights came down during the last Frog Camp of 2023 and the final “Place in the Circle,” an activity where campers share the parts of Frog
Camp that impacted them most, the floodgates opened. Everything was blurry, but the
feeling of hugs from the cherished members of the Frog Camp family was unmistakable.
Frog Camp is something truly special. It’s something that’s changed my life and something
that will continue to change my life because core memories influence a person forever. As the saying goes – peace, love, Frog Camp.
Ryan Thorpe is an undergraduate junior double majoring in Journalism and Communication
Studies. He is a competition reality TV connoisseur, loves garlic hummus with pita
chips and is weirdly good at Mario Kart (but only on the Wii).