Do they know it’s Christmas on Campus again?
It's Christmas time again, and that can only mean one thing for the Flyer faithful — Christmas on Campus is nearly here.
The 59th Christmas on Campus, to be held Dec. 8 on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, is being met with anticipation: the event will be back to full capacity for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The special thing is we’re finally able to bring it back. It almost feels new just because we haven’t been able to do certain things since 2019,” said Cami Wesselcamper ’24, a member of the entertainment committee for Christmas on Campus.
Wesselcamper is one of 27 members of the Christmas on Campus planning committee who have been planning since as early as March for this year’s theme, “Miracle on UD Street.”
“We work so hard,” said Wesselcamper. “I feel like people don't understand how much planning goes into it, so that's something that I always try to get across.”
That hard work will result in more than 1,000 children from around the Dayton area coming to campus and being matched with a UD student buddy.
“I’m excited to take around my buddy,” said Maddie Hogan ’23. “I did it freshman year and it was so much fun. I just love being able to give them the fun Christmas experience.”
“I just love being able to give them the fun Christmas experience.”
When sign-ups for a buddy opened in November, there were only a few buddies still available after the first day.
“I’ve never had a buddy,” Josie Cannon ’25 said, “but I’m signed up, so I am excited.”
Children and their buddies will decorate cookies, meet Santa, make Christmas cards, play games, do crafts, watch performances and much more.
This is Wesselcamper’s third year working with Christmas on Campus. She said she joined the committee with a little help from her mom.
“I've always been obsessed with Christmas, so my mom had actually sent me an announcement saying that applications are coming out,” said Wesselcamper. “I was like, ‘Why not, I love Christmas!’ I had been told about Christmas on Campus when I visited UD, and I knew I wanted to get involved.”
Wesselcamper’s favorite part of Christmas of Campus is the trains and Christmas village set-up in Kennedy Union. She also said she loves that the committee turns into a big family who always support each other.
There are many things to be excited about with the full return of Christmas on Campus, but many are happy just to experience the miracle that is UD.
“I think this year actually being on campus, that’s Dayton’s community aspect, when we all come together,” said Julia Strittmatter ’23. “That’s what I’m looking forward to.”
This year’s tree lighting ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m., with many other festivities to follow. Christmas on Campus is open to the public.