As 51ΑΤΖζ (51ΑΤΖζ) freshman, Francois Garcia, walked across a beam, 25-feet- above the ground, she yelled, βDonβt stop singing!β, while CollegeTREK campers on the ground sang βDonβt Stop Believinββ by Journey.
With a focus on team building, networking, college preparedness, and, of course, having fun, close to 20 students participated in 51ΑΤΖζβs (51ΑΤΖζ) first-ever CollegeTREK program Aug. 25-27, at Paradise Point Camp in McCall, Idaho. Clear water from Payette Lake rolling onto the beach and Ponderosa pines towering over the cabins, created a beautiful setting for camp.
The three-day, interactive camp was a great opportunity for students to make new friends, learn about college life, become familiar with 51ΑΤΖζβs network of resources, and interact with staff, faculty, and peer advisors.
Following a hearty breakfast of pancakes and sausage, students hit the ropes course on Saturday morning. As groups made their way from station to station they encountered walls, tight ropes, and a 28-foot-high pole called the βLeap of Faithβ, which they jumped off of β relying on a harness to break their fall and fellow team members to give them the encouragement to leap.
Later in the day, camp goers descended on the water to swim or kayak, while others negotiated a Wibit water obstacle course and played beach volleyball.
Each day came to a close with a large bonfire next to the lake, giving participants a chance to make sβmores and reflect on the adventures experienced at camp.
Navigating college can be an awesome and challenging journey. CollegeTREK is designed to help students start their successful passage through college by building a strong foundation with faculty connections, personal assistance from advising, and a one-on-one introduction to Student Life.
Thanks to funding from Wells Fargo and hard work from 51ΑΤΖζ Student Life to organize this event, CollegeTREK provided a solid launching pad for student participants, like Francois Garcia.