Caroline Meyerson is the recipient of the Susie and John L. Adams Forty Acres Scholarship.

Attending Camp Texas as both a camper and a counselor has been one of my most rewarding and favorite UT experiences so far. A three-day retreat for incoming freshmen, Camp Texas gives the newest Longhorns a jump-start to their experience at the University. Thanks to the Forty Acres Scholars Program, I had the opportunity to attend as a camper the summer before my freshman year.  Throughout those three days, I met so many incredible people, participated in the Camp Texas Olympics and Western Luau Dance Party, spoke to various professors, and gained leadership experience. As soon as I left the campsite in Balcones Springs, I knew I wanted to become a Camp Texas counselor.

When I received the email that I had been accepted to be a Camp Texas counselor for the summer of 2013, I was ecstatic. I began to attend trainings in the spring at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center every Friday afternoon. During my first training, I quickly realized that I had stepped into a room of talented, kind, and ambitious leaders on campus. The vice president of the student body, Longhorn Band members, spirit organizations and Greek life members, Texas Cowboys, and others representing all sides of campus and life all came together with one purpose in mind: to make the transition to college for the Class of 2017 a fun, exciting, and rewarding experience.

Being a counselor exceeded my expectations, which was a pretty difficult task. On the first day, we met the campers at the Alumni Center and loaded the buses to Balcones Springs. I served as the “bus jockey” on the way to camp, in which I facilitated icebreakers and games to make the windy ride go a bit more smoothly. The first day of activities is packed full upon arrival, including a color war, group cheer-off, and administrative panels. On the second day, students are given the opportunity to meet their peers who will be living in the same dorm and studying the same major.

My favorite memory of the three-day retreat occurred during the morning of the second day. Each year, the director of Camp Texas leads a Lion King skit. While the speakers blare "The Circle of Life,” the counselors slowly creep throughout the dining hall dressed as animals. At the end of the dance, my fellow counselors lifted me up like Simba (because of my petite size), and the director, John Warder, smeared yogurt on my forehead, as Rafiki smears the juice on Simba. It is memories like these that I will never forget. Camp Texas is about being silly and breaking out of your shell, and I believe it is this overall attitude that makes the campers feel comfortable in a new and different environment.

Participating in the Camp Texas program is such a unique opportunity on this campus. Through trainings, I strengthened my leadership and problem-solving skills. The most special and valuable aspect of the program, however, was the capacity to meet a diverse group of leaders on campus. I will always treasure this experience, and I thank the Forty Acres Scholars Program for sending me that summer before my freshman year, giving me just a small taste of how amazing my UT experience would truly be.