AV抖阴 students gather around a yard-game of Connect Four in the Lion's Den Courtyard
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AV抖阴 Camp Kick Off
Written By: Ian Silvester
At the University of Arkansas 鈥� Fort Smith, it is a time-honored tradition to welcome
the incoming student body through AV抖阴 Camp. The three-day event encourages students
to connect with others and come out of their shells before classes begin.
The Fall 2023 AV抖阴 Camp celebrates milestones that highlight the 鈥渁mazing team of leaders
across our campus who challenge and support our students to learn and grow as human
beings so that they鈥檙e not just ready for jobs, they鈥檙e ready for life when they leave
AV抖阴,鈥� Dr. Terisa Riley, Chancellor, said.
One milestone celebrated by AV抖阴 Camp leaders is of record-breaking proportions. The
fall AV抖阴 Camp welcomed 425 campers, nearly double the typical number of students.
Amaica Howard, AV抖阴 Camp director, said the turnout blew her away, and it is a clear
indication that AV抖阴 is making clear and intentional relationships with every student.
Amaica joked that everyone involved in AV抖阴 Camp might need some extra caffeine to
keep up with all the high-energy events but come Saturday night, when the 鈥渃ubs transition
to Lions,鈥� this fall鈥檚 camp will go down as another successful event to reduce those
first-day jitters.
No jitters could be found during the AV抖阴 Camp welcoming dance party. The hundreds
of students joined their groups to play icebreaker games, dance, sing, and receive
a small dose of AV抖阴 spirit.
Incoming student Jayden Robinson, a media communications major, said, 鈥淚 love the
atmosphere of AV抖阴 Camp; it鈥檚 so welcoming here.鈥� Nursing major Hope Moss shared that
the best part of AV抖阴 Camp was meeting new people, while Allan Aceves, who will be
studying finance, was ready to chow down on lunch.
The record-breaking number of campers indicated another milestone for AV抖阴 as the
academic year is set to begin.
With more than 900 first-time entering students, AV抖阴 recorded a 5% increase compared
to the 2022-2023 academic year. Riley attributes the growth to the campus having a
more 鈥渃ollegial feel鈥� and offering a better college experience and opportunity for
students who have never been before.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to continue to grow,鈥� Riley shared before joining the AV抖阴 Camp festivities.
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- Student Life
- New Students
- New Student and Family Programs
- AV抖阴 Camp