The mission of Camp Cowboy is to introduce and engage incoming students with their peers and upperclassmen mentors to provide an experience full of fun, friendship, tradition and learning that will in-turn create a more meaningful and impactful collegiate experience at OSU. By attending Camp Cowboy, new students:
The Camp Cowboy PhilanthroPete campaign will help defray the rising costs of hosting Camp Cowboy experiences for new OSU students, will expand access to camp by funding additional registration scholarships for campers, and will support the training of OSU students who serve as peer educators and mentors during Camp Cowboy experiences and beyond.
For 25 years, Camp Cowboy has provided a purposeful extended orientation experience for new first-year students in support of their collegiate success. Participants in Camp Cowboy consistently exhibit higher student retention and graduation rates than OSU students who did not participate in the Camp Cowboy experience.
New first-year students planning to attend Camp Cowboy may choose from two types of 3-day experiences, based upon what appeals to their individual interests - the Stillwater Camp and the Quest Camp.
Stillwater CampStillwater Camp participants experience an enriching on-campus experience designed to connect students with the vibrant culture of Oklahoma State University. Through engaging large group activities, interactive learning sessions, a community service project and intimate small group discussions facilitated by dedicated counselors, students forge meaningful connections, build a strong sense of community and prepare to embark on their new college journey. Each camp also includes Spirit Night, an exciting activity where students immerse themselves in OSU traditions, embrace the Cowboy culture, and hear stories from alumni and influential OSU figures who offer valuable insights into the lifelong OSU experience. Camp Cowboy participants leave their Stillwater Camp experience with confidence and pride in their college decision, comfort on the Stillwater campus, and a sense of belonging within the Cowboy Family. | |
Quest CampQuest Camp, in collaboration with OSU's Outdoor Adventures program, provides incoming first-year students with an unforgettable outdoor experience as part of the Camp Cowboy initiative. During this 3-day excursion camp, participants journey to scenic outdoor locations across Oklahoma. Through exciting activities like rafting, stand-up paddle boarding, rock climbing, and more, students connect with fellow peers and challenge themselves in the great outdoors. Trained Camp Cowboy counselors also facilitate interactive learning sessions, plan a community service project in the area and invite local Cowboy alumni to join campfire discussions where students learn about OSU traditions and spirit. |
2024 is the 25th Anniversary of OSU's Camp Cowboy! Help us celebrate 25 years of success & build a financial foundation for the next 25 years!
The average temperature in June, July & August in the Orange Country of Stillwater, OK is 92 degrees. This donation level will help provide water bottles, cooling towels & sunscreen to help our new OSU Cowboys protect themselves & beat the summer heat during Camp Cowboy!
In addition to learning how to facilitate the content of each Camp Cowboy session, the 100+ student volunteers who help make Camp Cowboy a positive experience for new Cowboys also participate in training to prepare them to address unexpected safety issues & to enhance their skills as peer mentors. A donation at this level provides one Camp Cowboy staff volunteer with a CPR/First-Aid/AED training experience & an opportunity to complete a nationally recognized curriculum for certified peer educators, in addition to their Camp Cowboy-specific training.
The Camp Cowboy registration fee is currently $315 per camper. This fee funds lodging/camping rates for two nights, all meals during camp & camp activity supplies for one Camp Cowboy participant.
The Camp Cowboy Leadership Team of 5 student directors attends the regional NODA conference to learn how to develop & facilitate the best extended orientation program possible for new OSU Cowboys. This donor level supports registration, lodging, transportation & meals for one Camp Cowboy Leadership Team member to attend this learning & leadership development opportunity.
New students & camp staff attending Quest Camp develop friendships & learn together as they embrace the elements, participate in outdoor activities & tent camp together at one of Oklahoma's beautiful parks. Having camp supplies to make Quest Camp a little more comfortable helps students minds focus on the purpose of camp instead of typical outdoor discomforts. A donation of this amount would provide either sleeping cots or tents large enough to hold campers' cots for use during all Camp Cowboy Quest Camps.
We believe in the value of new OSU students attending Camp Cowboy to embrace the OSU culture, learn traditions & expectations, & develop new friendships. We dream of expanding access to the Camp Cowboy experience by removing the barrier of high registration costs & increasing the number of camp sessions & session capacities. This donation amount would fund approximately 40% of the costs of hosting a single Camp Cowboy session & would contribute to removing the financial obstacles & attendee capacity restrictions that currently prevent many new OSU Cowboys from participating in Camp.