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Finding Her Aggie Spirit: How Three Days at Fish Camp Shaped This Aggie's Future.

With Fish Camp 2026 fast approaching, we’re exploring life at camp with 2025 attendee Zoe Blackburn ’29 and why you should consider helping incoming students experience this iconic tradition.

By Tylie McDonald ’27

Video by Allison Clark ’21

When Zoe Blackburn ’29 attended Fish Camp last summer, she got more than she bargained for. Not only did she learn about the Texas A&M University campus and its traditions, but she also began to understand what it means to be part of the Aggie family and received confirmation that Aggieland was exactly what she’d been searching for. Read on for all she had to say about the impactful three-day immersive experience.
 

On the first day, Fish Camp counselors put their acting skills on full display by presenting goofy skits about campus resources. (Photo courtesy Texas A&M Marketing & Communications)

Day 1: What did I get myself into?!

Zoe Blackburn ’29 received a scholarship to attend Fish Camp. (Photo by Josh Lewis ’14)

Aggies Supporting Aggies

Zoe’s opportunity to attend Fish Camp was made possible through the generosity of donors like Elaine and Steven Nance, whose belief in the program’s mission grew from both personal experience and deep conviction. Though both are Texas Tech University graduates, the Nances were introduced to Fish Camp through their children, Kristen Pribilski ’05 and Michael Nance ’08, who served as counselors, co-chairs and directors. Watching them guide incoming freshmen year after year helped the Nances understand the heart of the tradition.

“We saw how Fish Camp prevents students from feeling lost at a large university by offering small-group communities, counselors who stay connected after camp and resources that help freshmen navigate everything from finding classes to getting involved on campus,” Steven said.

After attending camp themselves, the Nances experienced firsthand how the philosophy “from the inside looking out, you can’t explain it” rings true. Their $25,000 endowed scholarship annually covers fees for deserving freshmen and ensures future students can continue benefiting from the support and connection that Fish Camp offers.

I come from a family of Longhorns, so I had no idea what to expect or even the slightest idea of what Fish Camp entailed. I loaded my suitcase onto the bus and was immediately greeted with unmatched energy from the counselors and my fellow freshmen.

As soon as we arrived, all the freshmen were split into eight color-designated camps, each named for a Fish Camp namesake — people who have contributed to campus in a positive way. I was a member of Aqua Camp Stevie.

We had our own chants and spirit traditions, and our counselors went all in, covered in temporary tattoos and radiating excitement from the moment we stepped off the bus. Within each camp, we were divided again into smaller discussion groups, or DGs, made up of about eight freshmen with two DG leaders who served as our support system.

We kicked things off with skits meant to teach us about campus resources, and they were the corniest I had ever seen. At first, I thought, “This is so lame,” but then I couldn’t stop laughing. They were ridiculous in the best way, with goofy costumes and dramatic storytelling. I learned everything I needed to know about places like the Math Learning Center and the Writing Center.
 

Day 2: Things got real.

The second day didn’t really “start” — the night before just rolled straight into the next morning. The evening program was dedicated to Texas A&M University’s most somber traditions like Bonfire Remembrance, Aggie Muster and Silver Taps. We watched a documentary featuring families who had experienced Silver Taps for their children, and we listened to the story of a survivor from the Bonfire collapse.

Sitting in silence with people I had only met a few hours earlier, I felt the weight of those traditions settle in. It was emotional and gave me my first real understanding of what it means to be part of the Aggie family.
 

At Fish Camp, students get a feel for what it means to be part of the 12th Man as they learn about the traditions that unite Aggies. (Photo courtesy Texas A&M Marketing & Communications)

As the morning progressed, our DG groups anchored the day. Through conversations with our counselors, we got an authentic account of Aggieland. These weren’t polished presentations or paid actors, just real students sharing real experiences. They gave advice about classes and campus life and walked us through what to expect when the semester officially began.

Then, the Yell Leaders arrived. The atmosphere was electric, and I got into “hump it, Ags” position with everyone else as we learned the yells that define the 12th Man.
 

Yell practices and chants get Fish Camp participants up on their feet with competitive spirit and energy. (Photos courtesy Texas A&M Marketing & Communications)

Day 3: This can’t be over yet!

On the final day, we were fueled by equal parts excitement and exhaustion. Yet, we had to muster up the strength to compete in the highly anticipated yell-off competition showcasing what we learned the day prior from the seasoned professionals. It was loud, chaotic and the most appropriate way to conclude our time at Fish Camp ... or so I thought.

We ended up getting even more time together in the Reed Arena parking lot. Our luggage had been misplaced, so we sat outside for nearly two hours waiting for it to arrive. Instead of being frustrated, we talked, laughed and soaked in those last moments together. In a weird way, that unexpected delay became one of my favorite memories — a final reminder of how quickly these people had become my community.
 


As someone who attended a magnet school, I didn’t have the traditional high school experience. While the intentional focus on academics and arts served me well, I knew I wanted to attend a university with a strong emphasis on tradition. Reflecting on my Fish Camp experience, I realized it solidified my belief that Texas A&M was exactly what I had been searching for.

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