Cowboy Camp

Cowboy Camp New Student Orientation is designed for first-time freshmen and provides them with essential information and tools necessary to be successful McNeese students. 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.

Parents and family who want an educational experience along with their student attending Cowboy Camp should scroll to the bottom of this page for information about Cowboy Family Connection!

What will happen at Cowboy Camp?

Click here to see a Cowboy Camp promotional video

Click here to see another Cowboy Camp promotional video

Cowboy is exciting, interactive, and motivational. In addition to learning what it means to be a fully engaged McNeese student, and meeting student leaders and peers, Cowboy Camp participants will have the opportunity to attend breakout sessions on topics that will assist with acclimating to the McNeese community and the college experience.

Students will also be able to participate in leisure campus activities and social engagement.

Registration for Summer 2025 Sessions

Pre-registration is required for Cowboy Camp. Students who attend Cowboy Camp Sessions may stay overnight on campus. Students with addresses outside of Calcasieu Parish are prioritized. Limited registration spots are available for each session.

Registration will open during the spring 2025 semester: When registration opens, please click the blue button below for the session you wish to attend. You will need the same username and password used to create your account when you applied for admission to McNeese. If you have issues with your registration or account, please call the Admissions Office at 337-475-5504.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Tentative Cowboy Camp Schedule

Day 1 

Time	Activity	Location
10:30am – 12:15pm	Check-In for Orientation and Housing Optional Lunch (Rowdy’s)	Recreation Complex – Ward Arena
12:30pm – 1:15pm	Opening Assembly w/ Parents	Tritico Theater
1:30pm – 2:15pm	Small Group Sessions	Designated Locations
2:30pm – 3:00pm	Group Campus Tours	Guided by Rowdy Riders
3:15pm – 4:00pm	Breakout Sessions 1	Designated Locations
4:15pm – 5:00pm	Academic Breakout Sessions	Designated Locations
5:00pm – 5:45pm	Flex Time	Rec Complex/ Student Union
5:45pm – 6:15pm	First Dinner	Rowdy’s Dining Hall
6:30pm – 7:00pm	Second Dinner	Rowdy’s Dining Hall
7:15pm – 7:35pm	“19:39 at the Clock Tower” Tradition	Quad
7:35pm – 9:00pm	Evening Engagement Activities	Quad, Recreation Complex, Student Union

Day 2 

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

Overnight Housing

Overnight housing is available on campus for Cowboy Camp sessions. Students with home addresses outside of Calcasieu Parish are prioritized for on-campus housing. Students with home addresses inside of Calcasieu Parish may 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.

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 cowboycamp@mcneese.edu.

Cowboy Family Connection (Parent Orientation)

An optional parent orientation known as Cowboy Family Connection will be held concurrently with each Cowboy Camp session. The event is an educational experience open to parents and family members of all incoming students. Over the day and a half, parents attend the opening and closing sessions of Cowboy Camp with their students and separately spend time engaging in informational and interactive activities centered on building knowledge about the university, understanding general operations, and introductions to services offered to students.  The goal of Parent Orientation is to equip parents with the requisite knowledge needed to be fully supportive of their students throughout their McNeese career.

For more information and the event schedule please visit the Cowboy Family Connection webpage.