What do iCamp students feel about the other camps on West Chester University campus?
On Monday, teenagers and younger children were eating alongside iCampers at lunch. No iCampers knew of the other camps before their stay at WCU. While it does make sense, it could have been a slight surprise to see just how many others would be around. From theatre to volleyball, it’s quite clear iCamp isn’t the only one here.
While most people stay to themselves, all camps are together for meals. Which can stir up quite the noise during the hour. How do iCampers feel about everyone else on campus? Do they find the other camps fun or interesting, or do they simply not care? How much do they really know about the other campers?
Destiney Estrada, a student in the digital journalism track at iCamp, said she would be willing to talk to non-iCamper students if given the chance. “I would ask them what their camp is like. How do they feel, and is this helping with their career?” Estrada, 17, said.
The North Philly native said she is thrilled to participate in the experience at iCamp, and she’s enjoyed the inclusion and opportunities present on campus. “I feel good,” Estrada said. “I feel like it’s helpful because everybody is included and everybody gets the same opportunities.”
Similar to Estrada, other iCampers have a positive view and interest in the other camps at WCU. iCamper Jane Moyer, a student of the video production track, said the additional camps add to the unique experience. “It adds a little more diversity,” Moyer said.
The other camps allow for a good mix of different people to be on campus at once. The varying ages, races and identities in one place allows for interaction that may have never happened. It gives students an equal opportunity to grow and learn, both in iCamp and at other programs.
By seeing the different programs on campus, Moyer said she notices the distinct differences between them. “There’s the theater one. I’m pretty sure they sing a lot at lunch. They seem pretty cool. That’s interesting.” she said.
And she’s not the only one. Estrada feels similar about a separate camp. “I like the volleyball one. I’m not really a big sports person, but I feel like it’s really interesting.”
Estrada said other camps are interesting, and it’s fun to imagine how they are run. It’s also exciting to be around other campers during lunch, and they add some diversity on campus.
Overall, the presence of other camps is heavily positive. Some iCampers are neutral on the matter, while others have no interest in seeing the other camps, or have an opinion on whether they are fun or not.
It doesn’t have a direct impact on the overall iCamp experience, but the addition of other camps is overwhelmingly positive in the eyes of Estrada, Moyer, and other iCamp students. It also makes the dining hall feel more lively and bright. Plus, who wouldn’t like sweet tunes from a theater group while enjoying lunch?