The first tradition that Texas A&M University students experience - Fish Camp - is set to begin Tuesday (Aug. 3).

Texas A&M's unique orientation program for freshmen - who are called "fish" in Aggieland - is a series of four-day camps during which the new Aggies will spend their days and much of their nights with upperclassmen who have volunteered their time as camp counselors. Fish Camp, attended each year by the vast majority of the incoming freshman class, is designed to help these newest members of the Aggie family adjust to college life. That translates into nearly 6,000 students spread over seven camp sessions.

"I loved Fish Camp! It was probably the best way to come into the Aggie Family. I really felt as if I was meant to be here," said one of last year's freshmen.

"It was honestly one of the most amazing experiences of my entire life - the perfect way to begin my new life at Texas A&M," said another.

Members of the first Fish Camp session for the Class of 2014 will gather Tuesday at Olsen Field, the university's baseball stadium, where they will be welcomed to Aggieland and then board buses to travel to an East Texas piney woods encampment near Palestine.

During their time there, the new students will learn about Aggie traditions and the university's core values: integrity, excellence, leadership, loyalty, respect and selfless service. They will also learn about the university's 800 student organizations and how to join them, how to find the help they may need while on campus and much more. By the time they leave the camp, many of the students will have formed lasting friendships as part of the Aggie family.

More than 1,000 counselors, crew and staff members have been working since last October to create an experience that will allow members of the Class of 2014 to learn thoroughly and quickly about Texas A&M and its traditions.

The counselors and planners for Fish Camp say they believe it is their responsibility to aid freshmen in that important transition from high school to Texas A&M in a "universally accepting environment." In addition to welcoming the new freshmen into the Aggie Family, they work to create a support system that allows them to build relationships and share in the Aggie Spirit.

The last Fish Camp sessions will begin Aug. 21 and end Aug. 24, the week before fall semester classes begin on Aug. 30.

Fish Camp is still unique, even though other schools across the country have discovered the value of such a positive program and have begun somewhat similar programs in recent years, university officials note.

Fish Camp began in 1954 when the late Gordon Gay, a former student activities director, took a few students camping as a way to help them adjust to life at college. The program has evolved over time and the result is the record number of participants this year.

The days at camp are filled with information sessions and fun. They also include team-building exercises such as intramural sports and small group discussions. Each evening, special guests are brought in as motivational speakers for "campfire" programs.

Each session has six individual "camps," and each camp has a namesake. For a list of individuals honored by having their names associated with a camp, go to http://fishcamp.tamu.edu/namesakes.

For more information contact the Fish Camp office at (979) 845-1627 or go to http://fishcamp.tamu.edu/node/13.

Dates for Fish Camp 2010 are Session A, Aug. 3-6; Session B, Aug. 6-9; Session C, Aug. 9-12; Session D, Aug. 12-15, Session E, Aug. 15-18; Session F, Aug. 18-21; and Session G, Aug. 21-24.