Anchored in Tradition: Anchor Camp Celebrates 25 Years of Supporting New Islanders

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas—Stepping onto a college campus for the first time can be overwhelming. For incoming freshmen, the possibilities, and the questions, seem endless: Will I make friends? How hard will my classes be? Where are my classes? And wait… who’s Izzy again? The mix of uncertainty and first-day jitters can leave students feeling a bit adrift.  

For 25 years, Anchor Camp has been a steady force, a beacon for incoming Islanders in search of connection, confidence, and community. Held just days before the fall semester begins, this beloved tradition offers students a jump on navigating college life.  

“I wanted to form connections and make friends,” said Kendall Cooper ’29, an environmental science major from Castroville, just west of San Antonio. “I figured this experience would give me a head start into college life and set me up for success.”  

Cooper discovered Anchor Camp while scrolling through social media. Having worked as a summer camp counselor in high school, the idea of a pre-college camp felt familiar and comforting.  

“The activities are fun, and making friends came super easy,” Cooper said. “After camp was over, I had so many phone numbers and Instagram connections. I’m so grateful for my time here.”  

Organized by Student Activities, Anchor Camp is held at Camp Zephyr in Sandia, nestled along the shores of Lake Corpus Christi. It’s a place where students can dip their toes — not just in the water, but into Islander life itself. The camp is led by Island Leaders and Anchor Leaders, experienced upper-level students who serve as mentors, session guides, and activity facilitators. Their mission is simple: to help new Islanders feel seen, welcomed, and connected.  

“Sometimes people have a hard time making friends and they need a little push,” said Courtney Reeves ’26, a senior marketing major and Anchor Leader. “I try to get to know everyone, and link people up based on shared interests. A little conversation can go a long way.”  

Reeves knows this better than most. She attended Anchor Camp as a first-year Islander and credits the experience with giving her the foundation and friendships she needed to thrive at TAMU-CC.  

“It had such a strong impact on me and I couldn’t wait to go back as a mentor and leader,” Reeves said. “I found a couple of forever friends through Anchor Camp, including two of my bridesmaids for my upcoming wedding.”  

At its core, Anchor Camp encourages participants to discover their personal “anchor”— a source of support, belonging, and balance throughout their college journey. For some, that anchor might be student organizations, friendships, or even a sense of purpose. For Christopher Humphrey ’29, a communication major from Dallas, that anchor came in the form of confidence. 

 “I’ve never been afraid to try new things, but Corpus Christi is far away from Dallas — I was nervous,” Humphrey said. “This was a big step, and this camp was like ripping off a Band-Aid. It got me really excited for the new school year.”  

His nerves, like those of many campers, were quickly replaced with enthusiasm.  

“I’m excited to live on my own and have new adventures with all these people that I met at camp,” Humphrey said. “They may not be my family, but the great thing about friends is that they are the family you chose.”  

As the camp marks its 25th anniversary, it stands as a celebration of Islander tradition, community, and transformation — and of the thousands of students who have stepped off the bus and into a journey of connection, discovery, and belonging.  

“Anchor Camp is more than just fun and games,” Reeves said. “It’s about giving students the tools to be successful, socially and emotionally, before they ever step into a classroom.”