A head start on belonging

For many incoming students, fear and uncertainty accompany the transition to college. At the University of Dayton, Camp Blue helps ease those emotions and turns the first week into a meaningful experience — one that intertwines community impact with personal growth. 

For Marissa Layman ’24, assistant director of student transitions and family programs, Camp Blue is far more than a week of activities. She said it gives students a chance to find their place before the stress of classes begins. 

“Each activity is designed to help first-year students explore their new environment,” Layman said. “And then also build a strong foundation for their college experience that will guide them to becoming influential leaders.” 

Camp Blue is a weeklong orientation and leadership development program led by upperclassmen counselors. Students participate in reflective presentations, team bonding exercises and games to learn their way around campus and build early connections. 

“I think that [Camp Blue] really allows students to get a head start on their UD journey,” Layman said. “They form those social opportunities, get acclimated to the UD environment, and feel like they're able to get to know campus a lot more before classes even begin.” 

A UD graduate, Layman once felt uncertain about her own path. While working with student transitions and family programs as an undergraduate, she discovered a love of supporting others through difficult transitions, leading her back to UD overseeing Camp Blue as a staff member.

“Ultimately, I just want them to think back on the experience they had in Camp Blue and feel like it was impactful, whether they were a first-year or a counselor,” Layman said. 

This year’s Camp Blue schedule included a day of service and leadership games, a friendly competition between teams at Old River Park. Activities included canoeing, fishing and bike riding, followed by an Olympics-esque closing ceremony. Layman said the games showcased growth in both first-years and counselors.

She watched students take initiative and lead their groups through challenges, while counselors stepped confidently into their roles and embodied UD's values: learn, lead and serve. Not only are first-years forming connections with one another, but also with their upperclassman mentors, the Camp Blue counselors. 

Camp Blue counselor and current junior Nolan Pastore said he saw the first-hand impact of being an upperclassman mentor for upcoming students, and it lasts far beyond the last day of camp.

“I don’t really see it as no longer being their counselor after Camp Blue ends,” Pastore said.

“Your counselor is intended to become a built-in upperclassman friend from the very first day of classes that you can come to for anything.” 

Pastore also said that the biggest reward is watching a newfound confidence emerge from campers throughout the week and continue as the school year begins. 

Whether students leave with new friendships, greater confidence, or a stronger sense of belonging, Layman hopes the students carry those experiences with them throughout their time at UD. 

“I want them to be able to walk away feeling this was a really cool experience and that it meant something to them,” she said. “Maybe they met a future roommate or formed a strong connection with one of their future classmates. It’s all about the student.” 

Photography by Sylvia Stahl '18.