Case Study: Frosh Camp at the University of Memphis

For more than 30 years, NaCoMe has been home to Frosh Camp, a four-day extended orientation experience designed to help incoming students step into college life feeling supported, connected, and confident. Year after year, students arrive as high school graduates and leave feeling like they belong to the University of Memphis community.

That sense of belonging doesn’t happen by accident.

A Camp That Becomes Theirs

When Frosh Camp arrives, the camp becomes theirs, fully and completely. Cabins are decorated, spaces are renamed, and familiar places take on new meaning. There are custom mail rooms, themed cabins, and traditions that students quickly claim as their own.

For many students, this is their first time away from home for more than a night or two. Creating an environment that feels welcoming, safe, and fun matters. Our role is to support that transformation by giving Frosh Camp the freedom to shape the space in a way that reflects their values, energy, and traditions.

By the end of the week, NaCoMe doesn’t feel like just any summer campground in Tennessee. It feels like their camp.

Building Connection That Lasts

Frosh Camp is designed to do more than introduce students to campus resources. It helps students connect to each other, to student leaders, and to the wider university community.

Students leave Frosh Camp with:

• A stronger sense of connection to the University of Memphis

• A growing awareness of their own identity and independence

• Relationships with peers, student leaders, and administrators that often last well beyond the first year

In fact, when students were asked what helped influence their decision to stay at the University of Memphis, Frosh Camp was identified as the most impactful Student Affairs program for first-year retention. That kind of outcome speaks to the power of intentional, well-supported programming.

Supporting a Big Experience

Hosting Frosh Camp means supporting a large group, often around 250 students at a time, all with full days, late nights, and packed schedules. We work closely with Frosh Camp staff to make sure the logistics support the experience, not the other way around.

We customize our dining hall to accommodate the size and flow of the group, ensuring meals are efficient and welcoming. We adjust schedules, spaces, and staffing so students can move easily from one activity to the next without feeling rushed or crowded.

One of the most memorable traditions happens at the end of camp games, when students all head to the swimming hole together. After a week of messy games, laughter, and team challenges, 250 students jump in at once, washing off the week and celebrating everything they’ve shared together. It’s loud, joyful, and unforgettable.

Little Moments That Matter

Some of the most meaningful parts of Frosh Camp happen late at night.

Each evening, we open a midnight camp store just for Frosh Camp students. It’s a small thing, but it quickly becomes a favorite part of the experience. Students stop by with friends, grab snacks, talk about the day, and wind down before heading back to their cabins.

These moments matter because they create space for connection without an agenda. They’re part of what helps students feel comfortable, relaxed, and at home.

What This Partnership Means to Us

Working with Frosh Camp for over three decades has shown us how powerful camp can be during moments of transition. Starting college is a big step, and having a place where students feel seen, supported, and connected can make all the difference.

Our role at NaCoMe is to support that experience by providing flexible spaces, reliable systems, and a team that understands the rhythm of camp life. We handle the details so student leaders and staff can focus on what matters most, helping students build confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging.

That’s what this partnership has been about for more than 30 years. And it’s how we continue to support every group that calls NaCoMe home.

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