What do you get when you combine 2,400 students, tents, a chance for tickets to the UNC game, 3-on-3 basketball and 27-degree weather? The UNC Campout.
As the sun set and night fell, tents stood along Dunn Avenue from the student bookstore to the far end of the parking deck near Thompson Hall. Construction lights powered by generators illuminated the check-in tents. By 7:30, the check-in line stretched into the pedestrian tunnel across the street from Reynolds Coliseum.
Put on by Student Government and the athletics department, the UNC Campout took place from the Saturday evening until Sunday morning.
Some students got tents from Outdoor Adventures, a division of Campus Recreation. According to Ben Chiles of Campus Recreation, students went to the Campus Recreation website to reserve a tent and sleeping bags.
“This is the third year [Campus Recreation] has rented tents,” said Chiles. Students rented tents starting at $4, and sleeping bags for $4 apiece.
Events were also held in Reynolds, including a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. This was the first year for the tournament, which was a fundraiser for the Jimmy V Foundation, a cancer research foundation that was founded by the late N.C. State basketball coach Jim Valvano.
According to Andy Walsh, a sophomore in political science and the Student Government Campus Community Chair, the event raised $1,100.
“I am proud that students gave their money toward such a great cause,” Walsh said.
Even those who did not participate in the tournament had a good time.
“It was fun watching other students play in the tournament,” said Alexis Gomez, a sophomore in animal science. “The crowd got into one game when three girls went against three bigger guys. Everyone was disappointed when the girls lost in a close game.”
Outside Reynolds was a small tent with a sign that read “Chancellor Woodson’s Tent.”
“We put up Chancellor Woodson’s tent as a joke that was crafted by Dr. Tom Stafford,” Walsh said. “We knew the Chancellor was going to make an appearance at his first Campout as Chancellor, so we gave him a great campsite right in front of Reynolds Coliseum. When the Chancellor arrived with his wife we told them that all previous Chancellors have stayed the entire night of their first campout and if he didn’t, then he would forfeit his basketball tickets for the UNC game. He got a good laugh out of it and was happy to see so many students participating in the tradition.”
Students who attended the campout ranged widely with regard to year, major, and experience camping, but not enthusiasm. Frisbees and footballs flew, and hacky sack games were played on and along Dunn Avenue into the evening.
“I would definitely consider this year’s Campout as a success,” Walsh said. “Whenever over 2,000 students come together on campus for a unique event with no major setbacks, than that is a great success in my book. I am also really proud of the amount of money we raised for the Jimmy V Foundation … that is a reflection of the great students here at N.C. State.”
