Cowboy Camp

Cowboy Camp: New Student Orientation is designed for first-time freshmen and provides them with essential information and tools necessary to be a successful McNeese student. The experience assists freshmen in adapting to the University environment and becoming a part of the campus community. Sessions are scheduled during the summer for students who will be first-time freshmen in the fall. Freshmen participate in several programmatic elements including general assemblies, engagement activities, and content-specific breakout sessions. All first-time freshmen are required to attend a Cowboy Camp session to gain credit in ORIN 101.

What will happen at Cowboy Camp?

Cowboy is exciting, interactive, and motivational. In addition to learning what it means to be a fully engaged McNeese student, meeting student leaders and peers, Cowboy Camp participants will have the opportunity to attend breakout sessions on the following topics:

• Financial Aid and Scholarships 
• Student Health and Wellness (Counseling, Health Services, Wellness Programs) 
• Student Support Services (Writing Center, Tutoring Center, Library, Academic Success Center)
• “So You Want to be Greek”: Fraternity/Sorority Life Information Session 
• Enrollment Management 101 (drop/add information, registration procedures, etc.) 
• “Fifteen to Finish”: A Path to Graduating College in Four Years or Less 
• SGA and Student Life Coalition Information Session 
• “Becoming a Campus Leader”: Stories from Current Student Leaders 
• “Adjusting to a New Home”: Tips for Enjoying your Campus Housing Experience 
• Student Activities and Student Organizations 
• Campus Safety 
• Intramural Sports and E-Sports 
• Financial Literacy for New College Students
• Guidance for Underrepresented Populations (Black Student Success) 
• McNeese Athletics Student Engagement 
• Accessibility Services (pre-scheduled consultations) 
• Peerleader Student Ambassadors Information Session 
• Local Community Involvement

Students will also be able to participate in leisure campus activities such as:

• Swimming at Recreation Complex 
• Working out at Recreation Complex 
• Gaming at Recreation Complex 
• Relaxing and watch TV in the student union 
• Campus “Class Schedule” Tour 
• Leisure Learning Activities (Self-defense and awareness with McNeese Police, Creating your first budget with a College of Business professor, etc.) 

Registration for Summer 2022 Sessions

Pre-registration is required for Cowboy Camp. Students who attend Cowboy Camp Sessions A and B are required to stay overnight on-campus. Students with addresses in Calcasieu Parish may opt out of overnight accommodations, but are strongly encouraged to stay with their peers. Session C students will stay overnight on-campus if they are slated to live in campus housing for the school year. Other students attending Session C must commute. Limited registration spots are available for each session.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN – Click a button to register for a session

Wondering why there is no button for session C (August 12-13)?

Session C spots are prioritized for late admits, distant out-of-state students, and international students. All other students are expected to attend Sessions A or B and must submit documented justification for why they need to attend Session C to be eligible for the third option. Documentation should be sent to studentservices@mcneese.edu and will be reviewed for approval.

Tentative Cowboy Camp Schedule

Day 1 

Time	Activity	Location
11:00am	Check-In for Orientation and Housing Begins	Recreation Complex – Ward Arena
11:30am	Lunch Begins	Rowdy’s Dining Hall
12:30pm	Check-In Ends
1:00pm	Lunch Ends
1:30pm – 2:15pm	Opening Assembly w/ Parents	Tritico Theater
2:30pm – 3:15pm	Small Group Session	Designated Locations
3:30pm – 4:00pm	Breakout Sessions 1	Designated Locations
4:15pm – 4:45pm	Breakout Sessions 2	Designated Locations
4:45pm – 5:30pm	Flex Time	TBD
5:30pm – 6:00pm	First Dinner	Rowdy’s Dining Hall
6:15pm – 6:45pm	Second Dinner	Rowdy’s Dining Hall
7:00pm – 9:00pm	“19:39 at the Clock Tower” Tradition Evening Large Group Activities	TBD

Day 2 

Time	Activity	Location
7:45am	First Breakfast	Rowdy’s Dining Hall
8:15am	Second Breakfast	Rowdy’s Dining Hall
9:00am	Morning Assembly	Tritico Theater
10:00am – 10:30am	Small Group Session	Designated Locations
10:45am – 11:15am	Breakout Sessions 3	Tritico Theater
11:30am – 12:00pm	Breakout Sessions 4	Designated Locations
12:15pm – 1:45pm	Lunch and Midday Activity	TBD
2:00pm – 3:00pm	Flex Time (Campus Housing Checkout)	Designated Locations
3:15pm – 4:15pm	Closing Assembly	TBD
4:15pm – 5:00pm	University Business Time

Overnight Housing

Overnight housing is available on campus for Cowboy Camp sessions A & B. Students with home addresses outside of Calcasieu Parish are required to stay on campus. Students with home addresses inside of Calcasieu Parish are strongly encouraged to stay overnight on campus but may opt-out if they wish to commute back and forth home. More information concerning overnight housing, room assignments, and items to bring will be provided closer to your registered date for Cowboy Camp.

Session C on-campus housing is only available to students who have housing leases for the 2022-2023 school year because the session takes place days before the start of fall classes. Those students will be allowed to move into their residence hall prior to the Cowboy Camp session.

Meals

The following meals are provided to students at Cowboy Camp at no cost.

Day 1: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Breakfast and Lunch

Orientation Fees

Students who register for one of the Cowboy Camp: New Student Orientation sessions are assessed a non-refundable $250 orientation fee that covers expenses associated with the program and advisor support throughout the freshman year. The charge is applied to the student’s tuition and fee bill after a student has attended an orientation session.

More Information

Plan to check this page for more information in the future including:

• What to bring
• Attire
• Rowdy Rider orientation leaders
• Concurrent Parent Orientation sessions

Questions

If you have any questions concerning Cowboy Camp, contact the Office of Student Services at 337-475-5609 or email studentlife@mcneese.edu.