Last week the Student Affairs team released the newest members of Panther Camp Facilitators and Peer Advisors. This year 40 students were chosen to be facilitators to around 1,000 campers throughout summer of 2019.
For many freshman students when they’re asked what their favorite experience during their first year at FIU is they usually say Panther Camp.
But what exactly is Panther Camp?
Panther Camp is a program setup for incoming FIU freshmen and transfers that takes place in Lake Placid, Florida for a weekend during the summer; there are four different weekends that can be chosen from. The goal is to help these students create relationships with one another, meet student leaders and create life long relationships.
The program’s continuous goal is to also cultivate future student leaders and build Panther pride within the new students.
“Don’t doubt going to camp, the worst thing you can lose is a weekend. Enjoy the ride we’re here to provide you with an experience where you can actually gain a lot. Keep an open mind plus you meet a lot of different people,” said Danny Rodriguez, Panther Camp Director of Activities and Traditions for 2019.
Being a facilitator is a recognized and sought out position, just this year there were over 150 applicants. The application process is a lengthy one involving different interview rounds.
Danny Rodriguez offered some advice to those thinking of applying for the 2020 term, “Don’t doubt yourself when applying, there’s not one type of person we are looking for we want everyone, we want different people on the team but most especially for you to be yourself.”
Each facilitator receives a number of campers, whom they are in charge of for that weekend. Throughout the Spring semester they meet up to plan out how they can give the campers the best experience.
Even though it is time consuming there are a lot of perks that come with the job.
“You get a lot of recognition around FIU and you get to meet a lot of administrators such as President Rosenberg and deans of colleges. We are the first people that get publicity offers when they need student leaders. You see a lot of our faces on campus, we used to be on the posters in the elevators and in the gym and we’re viewed as role models on campus. Being a Peer Advisor or Panther Camp Facilitator also allows you to form friendships and we can rely on one another,” explained the Panther Camp Director of Activities and Traditions for 2019.
Peer Advisors and Panther Camp Facilitators alike create long lasting memories throughout their journey. For Cameron Moody, the Executive Director of Panther Camp his favorite part was, “being able to see all of the executive board members who were facilitators last year grow and lead in a different capacity. The overall growth of the program and the growth of the students that went through camp is my favorite part this year.”
Facilitators are given the chance to create an impact in their community and give students an experience of a lifetime that will positively affect the rest of their college experience. For many of them they want their campers to feel like FIU is their home.