R.O.C.K. (Razorback Outreach for Community and Knowledge) Camp celebrated its 16th year on campus this summer by welcoming members of the Class of 2021 during the months of June and August.  

Over the past 16 years, R.O.C.K. Camp has been teaching new students the history and traditions of the University of Arkansas while assisting them in making a successful transition to college life. This program gives students the opportunity to build relationships with classmates and upperclassmen, introduces them to on-campus resources, and strengthens their bond to the University of Arkansas. 

Activities take place on campus and at Camp Heart O' Hills in Welling, Oklahoma. During camp, students participate in a variety of exciting activities including community service projects, Olympic games, teambuilding exercises, educational sessions about college life, and a float trip on the Illinois River. 

Through hands-on activities and peer-guided immersions in Razorback and Fayetteville culture, students leave with confidence about choosing the University of Arkansas as their home. One recent participating student notes how "the mentors made me feel excited about my decision to choose the University of Arkansas."

Another student was thankful for the camp's energy, which helped him break out of his shell — "Being more social with others brought out who I really am, which I didn't know I had the ability to communicate with others in a collaborative way, until attending this camp."

2017 student coordinator Josh Jensen said, "I met some of my best friends at R.O.C.K. Camp and as a junior, they are still my closest friends. If it weren't for R.O.C.K. Camp, we would have never met."

Providing creative ways for students to foster relationships is a priority of the R.O.C.K. Camp staff and has been shown to increase participants successful transition into the institution. Another recent participant explains that they "enjoyed meeting all the new people and I'm really glad that I signed up to do it. I don't think I would've made as many connections as I did if I hadn't come here."

R.O.C.K. Camp Adventure, hosted in collaboration with University Recreation - UREC Outdoors, offers students the opportunity to engage in unforgettable and exciting activities. Adventure mentors leed student groups through five days of outdoor activities including a hike at Hawksbill Craig Trail, mountain biking, rock climbing, canoeing, zip lining, and camping.

One participant stated that he enjoyed "the opportunity to build closer connections to the school, mentors, and other students. I loved the group huddles and all the activities that brought everyone together. This is an amazing program that has definitely helped me make long-term friends before school has even starts."

Students who participate in R.O.C.K. Camp Adventure not only explore nature in Northwest Arkansas, but also engage in significant conversations about the college transition and ways they can succeed at the University of Arkansas. The R.O.C.K. Camp Adventure's collaboration with University Recreation started in 2010 and has expanded to multiple sessions throughout the summer. 

The planning for R.O.C.K. Camp 2018 has already started. Applications for Mentors will be available early in January next semester. For more information about R.O.C.K. Camp or R.O.C.K. Camp Adventure, visit http://rockcamp.uark.edu or contact New Student & Family Programs at 479-575-5002.