Columbus State University will be adding a new dynamic to its student orientations with Camp P.R.O.W.L. a 4-day, 3-night camping experience designed to better connect students to campus before classes begin.

The first Camp P.R.O.W.L. will be held Aug. 3-6 in Covington, Ga. P.R.O.W.L stands for pride, relationships, opportunities, wisdom, and leadership – all themes that directly connect to the values of CSU.

CSU President Markwood personally invested time to ensure the university’s core values were represented, said Melissa Dempsey, director of Student Life & Development.

“Our unique component is academic preparedness, leadership education, and campus value implementation,” Dempsey said.  “Various CSU faculty and staff will have interactions with the students during the camp. These connections will benefit the young students in understanding the collegiate class structure.”

Camp P.R.O.W.L is an addition to CSU’s regular traditional R.O.A.R orientation sessions. Just like the shorter, on-campus sessions, a trained orientation team consisting of upperclassman from various majors will lead the event.

Aside from the academic preparation, Camp P.R.O.W.L will serve as a fun environment for students to enjoy being a CSU cougar. They will participate in mazes, rope courses, Go-Green team competitions, bonfires, and investigation games related to our QEP initiative.

“P.R.O.W.L is the perfect experience for incoming freshmen to shorten the learning curve that comes with being new to college. This camp gives them more time to see how the campus works,” said Kewanna Taylor, head student leader of orientation team. “It also serves as a reminder that they will not be alone when they are a member of the CSU community.”