Texas A&M students turn Camp Career Day into Hill Country flood relief
Annual event raises $5,000 in donations to aid camps affected by flooding
When flooding swept through the Texas Hill Country this summer, communities and camps that help shape many Aggie students’ early experiences in youth leadership and outdoor education were devastated.
This fall, students from the Texas A&M Recreation Education Council, REC, many of whom are pursuing degrees within the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, turned their annual Camp Career Day into an act of service, raising funds to help camps rebuild while connecting with employers.
Supporting the places that shaped them
The Hill Country is home to dozens of youth camps that have helped young Texans build confidence, character and lifelong friendships for generations.
When widespread flooding upended these communities, the student-led council wanted to give back to an industry that helped so many of them find their own passion for recreation and leadership.
Traditionally, funds from REC’s Camp Career Day support student scholarships and grants for graduate students in the organization. This year, however, organizers chose instead to donate all proceeds to the American Camp Association’s Disaster Assistance Scholarship Fund, which helps camps, families and communities rebuild after natural disasters.
The decision to turn the event into a fundraiser came naturally, said Emily Howell ’26, president of REC and a doctoral student in the Department of Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism.
“The camp community is so close-knit and community oriented,” Howell explained. “Helping was a no-brainer. When we learned one of the very first supporters of Camp Career Day, Jane Ragsdale from Heart O’ the Hills, lost her life in the flood, it hit close to home for all of us.”
Building community beyond the classroom at Camp Career Day
Support Flood Recovery
Join Aggies in supporting camps and communities recovering from the Hill Country floods. Every gift helps restore spaces that inspire future leaders.
The event brought together 30 camps across Texas and neighboring states, many of which have long histories of hiring Aggie students as counselors, activity directors and managers. Throughout the day, representatives interviewed students for summer positions and internships, shared insights about the outdoor recreation industry and reconnected with former students who once worked at their camps.
For many students, this year’s Camp Career Day represented more than networking. It was a reflection of the values that guide their academic and professional paths.
Chad Nelson ’15 ’19, Ph.D., instructional associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, serves as REC’s advisor and said the effort reflected the university’s core values of leadership and selfless service.
“Our students saw a need and took action,” Nelson said. “They demonstrated the very best of what it means to be an Aggie – combining professionalism with compassion and service.”
