August 1, 2017
East Texas Baptist University incoming freshmen and transferring freshmen got rowdy on Monday during the fourth annual Tiger Camp's recreation time where they played water games and sports.
Tiger Camp, which kicked off on Sunday evening and runs through Wednesday afternoon, allows all of the university's new freshmen to spend a few days on campus getting a taste of college life and meeting their fellow classmates, the university's Vice President of Student Affairs Heather Hadlock said on Monday.
"This is just a time for them to come stay on campus and learn about ETBU, connect with their classmates and see what college life is like," Hadlock said. "They stay in the dorms and live with a roommate and have fun while building relationships with one another."
Hadlock said this is projected to be the university's largest group of freshmen with about 166 students participating in Tiger Camp this week.
"After this week, they will come back for Welcome Week next week and then they will be moving in," she said. "Classes start on Aug. 21."
Throughout this week, the students meet together for worship services then break off into small groups where they can interact on a more personal level with one another before heading outside to participate in games and recreational activities as teams in the afternoons.
"It's been a lot of fun," freshmen Dave Hendrix said on Monday. "This is my first time to spend time on the campus. I came for orientation but we are staying in the dorms this week and living with roommates. Everyone here is so nice and I love it. It's like Disney World."
Fellow freshmen Joy Tama of Mansfield agreed.
"I love it here," she said. "I really like the atmosphere and the community vibe. I wanted something close to home and a Christian school so I can building my relationship with God so this is perfect. I've met a bunch of new people so far during Tiger Camp."