Happy Campers
Photographs and words by Jonathan Sherchand
The beginning of August represents the end of summer to most, but to a group of UT students, it marks the start of something special. That group is the Camp Texas counselors. For the uninitiated, Camp Texas is a three-day, two-night sleepaway camp put on by the Texas Exes in Burnet, Texas, for incoming freshmen and transfer students. Paired in groups led by counselors, campers participate in fun activities that promote UT spirit and community. They leave camp with new friends and mentors that will last not only through their UT journey, but a lifetime. I know because before I was a counselor, I was a camper.
I come from Donna, a town in the Rio Grande Valley. I was one of only two people from my high school who were going to attend UT Austin. When I found out about Camp Texas through an email, I instantly knew I had to attend. Now, more than two years later, amid complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, I was finally given the pleasure of being a counselor to my amazing campers. I remember back as a camper, I played sand volleyball for the first time, and I was horrible. I was still bad this time at camp, but we played for almost three hours one night until almost 1 a.m. Throughout the night, as people both joined and left the game, I got to hang out with counselors I had not seen in two years and meet new campers. I may have hit the net one too many times, but seeing people laughing, dancing to music, and just having fun reminded me of what Camp Texas and college are all about.
The photos I took this summer capture the magic of being back at camp, in person. They are a glimpse at Camp Texas, a program that has helped me find my home away from home.