Dawg Camp Explore: A Collaborative Experience

Building on Dawg Camps’s 25-year foundation of programming, the University of Georgia launched a new option this summer: Dawg Camp Explore. The program highlights the natural beauty surrounding campus while showcasing UGA’s commitment to public service, civic engagement, and building meaningful connections between students and the broader community. Supplementing New Student Orientation, Dawg Camp is an optional summer experience that gives incoming students the opportunity to further familiarize themselves with campus before classes begin in the fall. The program is led by University Transitions in the Division of Student Affairs.

As a land-grant institution, the University of Georgia seeks to serve the state of Georgia. Dawg Camp Explore combines this public service mission with UGA’s commitment to a premiere student learning experience through a partnership between the Division of Student Affairs and the Division of Public Service and Outreach.

Taylor Eubanks, assistant director for University Transitions, saw an opportunity to provide more town and gown programming in the unit’s summer curriculum. She said Dawg Camp Explore was created because many new students arrive at UGA knowing very little about Athens beyond campus.

“While students often learn where their classes are and how to navigate UGA, they may not have opportunities to explore the broader community or discover ways to get involved and make Athens feel like home,” Eubanks said. “The program encourages students to engage with Athens, understand the value of community involvement, and begin their college experience with a stronger sense of belonging and confidence.”

During the five days students spent at Dawg Camp Explore, they engaged with four public service units: the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, the Archway Partnership, the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, and the Office of Service-Learning. Through these experiences, students gained firsthand insight into how UGA partners with communities across the state to create positive change.

Beginning at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, campers met with members of the Education Team and Visitor Services staff, where they learned about the Garden’s programs, resources and role in serving both the University and the public. The group later gathered for lunch in the Museum Room.

The next day, campers traveled to Thomson-McDuffie County to hear from Archway Professional Sarah Adams and a panel of Archway student interns about the work UGA is doing in the community. They also toured the county, learning about the economic and community development initiatives supported through the Archway. The visit highlighted the collaborative impact of both the Archway Partnership and the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development in strengthening local communities.

To wrap up camp, the Office of Service-Learning facilitated a volunteer opportunity with Historic Athens at the Juneteenth Celebration and Festival. Campers assisted with event setup, vendor coordination, and guest support, gaining hands-on experience in community engagement while contributing to a meaningful local event.

The success of Dawg Camp Explore illustrates how intentional collaboration across divisions can strengthen student learning, expand access to high-impact experiences, and foster a stronger sense of belonging from a student’s very first days at UGA.