As the semester unfolds, a group of students are already preparing for the upcoming Fish Camp, an integral part of Texas A&M’s traditions and community-building efforts.

Fish Camp stands as a cornerstone of campus culture, offering incoming freshmen a chance to connect with their peers during the summer. As the next iteration of the camp approaches, prospective leaders are busy navigating the application process and gearing up for a semester filled with preparation.

“Right now, we are about to begin counselor interviews, which I am super excited about,” Management information systems junior Grant Taylor said. “I can’t wait to meet all the potential counselors.”

In addition to submitting applications, candidates undergo an interview process to ensure they possess the qualities necessary to serve as mentors and role models. All applications and interviews are conducted by chairs, a student that leads 24 counselors, overlooking an entire camp with a partnered co-chair. 

“Personally, I am looking for counselors who are passionate about Fish Camp and are ready to fully commit to it,” Taylor said. “Being excited and eager to dive into Fish Camp is definitely a quality I look for in potential counselors.”

While applicants are submitting applications and preparing for potential interviews, chairs are getting ready to embark on a semester-long journey of training and preparation, honing their leadership skills and developing strategies to make the upcoming Fish Camp experience memorable. By being the guideline for the counselors, a team of two chairs manage a whole camp together.

“My role is to guide my counselors in the right direction, encouraging and correcting them along the way,” Taylor said. “I firmly believe that respect goes both ways, so if I respect my counselors as equals, I believe they will respect me in return.”

Communication junior Leah Shaw, a chair, said she feels the internal rankings of Fish Camp are more relaxed than other organizations.

“Honestly, I feel like we are all college kids and different titles bring different responsibilities more so than authorities,” Shaw said. “I want to be friends with my counselors and freshmen for us to have mutual respect for one another.”

As the team of Fish Camp continues to grow, prospective counselors are eager for the summer. Data engineering sophomore Sydney Flake is ready to make a positive impact on the Class of 2028 in her second year as a counselor.

“I’m eager for this summer, honestly,” Flake said. “I know camps will be different as a second year but that’s something I’m really looking forward to. I want that leadership experience and the extra responsibilities that come with it.”