From Camp to Campus: Summer Camps Spark Curiosity and Desire To Return as Islanders
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi remains a bustling hub of creativity, teamwork, and discovery each summer as young students from across the region flock to its diverse offerings of summer camps. These summer camps offer K-12 school children a unique opportunity to explore their passions, develop new skills, connect with mentors, and envision themselves as future islander students.
THEATRE CAMP
Camp on the Coast, which invites theatrically inclined high school students from all over Texas and beyond for a highly intensive and creative theatre experience, celebrated its 20th anniversary this summer.
Since its inception, the camp has been led by Professor Kelly Russell, while Professor Alison Frost has served as show director for the last decade.
“Our first camp saw 60 campers; this year, we had 117 students,” Russell said. “We are dedicated to giving students a place to do what they love and giving them access to members of the industry who can help them develop into the performers they want to become.”
During the two-week camp, students also live, eat, and sleep on campus. For Beau Laviolette ’28, a repeat participant of Camp on the Coast, this final summer as a camper solidified his choice to attend TAMU-CC for his undergraduate degree.
“There is something magical about being in such a welcoming environment; to have so many people who are passionate about the theatre in the same place,” Laviolette said. “As soon as I arrived, I felt like I belonged on the Island, and I made an easy decision to enroll as a student.”
Each year, Camp on the Coast invites a diverse roster of guest artists, including seasoned actors, directors, playwrights, and designers — often an Island University alumnus — to share their expertise and mentor the next generation of theatre professionals.
Jeremiah Clapp ’13, who now lives and works in New York as a professional actor, delivered this summer’s masterclass. Once a camper himself, Clapp credits his time at Camp on the Coast with helping to refine his passion for theatre and find a group of like-minded friends — fellow Islanders who, like him, have gone on to thrive in the theatre industry.
“The camaraderie, expert insights, and instruction campers receive at Camp on the Coast, all while having the space to play, makes it really something special,” Clapp said.
The high employability rate of the TAMU-CC theatre graduates means students aren’t just having fun and making friends, they are learning skills that will translate into future careers.
“It’s so rewarding to see students graduate who just a few years earlier were campers,” Frost said. “And now they are ready to take on the world stage — literally! Our alumni are performing on Broadway or are touring in other productions; they are theatre teachers, or are working backstage, or dancing. The potential for campers here is limitless, and this is where our future Islanders find their families.”
BAND CAMP
In the university’s Center for the Arts, it is impossible to ignore clamor of musical strains floating from the rehearsal spaces. Responsible for the flutter of sounds are middle school, junior high, and high school campers enrolled in the university’s Band Camp.
“The first day of camp is always chaos with students arriving — perhaps feeling nervous or insecure about living on campus during camp — but by Friday, everyone is flourishing,” said Dr. Brian Shelton, Director of Bands and Camp Coordinator.
Jose Garza, a first-time camper and trumpet player, saw Band Camp as a way to learn about different music styles.
“I really want to be in a mariachi band, and I think Mariachi de la Isla is really cool,” said Garza, a seventh grader at Gregory-Portland Middle School. “But I think it’s also important to work with a variety of styles. While I’ve been at camp, I’ve learned a lot about jazz trumpet, which has been a good experience.”
For Islander music major NataliaCanelo ’26, head camp counselor and French horn player, Band Camp is not only a place to hone her performance skills, but also a worthwhile opportunity to mentor future Islanders.
“I think it’s really valuable to explain to some of the older campers how scholarships for music degree programs at TAMU-CC work,” she said. “There are so many options here, and we can help campers explore what they might be interested in — whether it’s double majoring, teaching music, or studying music industry classes.”
YOUNG AUTHORS' CAMP
At Young Authors’ Camp, budding writers from elementary to high school are encouraged to unleash their creativity and develop their craft.
“We carefully plan every detail to create fun, welcoming spaces for campers,” said Jennifer Monreal ’13, an English teacher with Corpus Christi ISD and Camp Director. “Each grade level has a theme, and the camp wraps up with an open mic where campers share their stories. Many students return year after year — one camper has been with us since third grade and is now looking forward to our high school camps.”
ISLANDERS ATHLETICS CAMPS
Islanders Athletics camps add another exciting dimension to the university’s offerings. With programs in baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, and volleyball, these camps enhance skills, promote teamwork, and foster a love of sports for children of various age groups and skill levels.
“Our athletic camps are not just about improving game techniques, they also build character and create lasting memories,” said Adrian Rodriguez, Vice President of Student Engagement and Success & Intercollegiate Athletics. “Many campers return year after year, transitioning from campers to high school players, and some even go on to compete as collegiate student-athletes.”
GRAPHIC DESIGN CAMP
Dallas high school senior, Cairo Clay, took a leap of faith when he signed up for the TAMU-CC graphic design camp — Camp Design, Preparation & Inspiration (DPI). This camp, sponsored by the Frazier Family Foundation, aims to help newcomers to graphic design gain exposure and experience in visual communication.
“Going to this camp was a bit of a spontaneous decision,” Clay said. “My friends were planning a fishing trip on the day I was due to finish camp, so I thought, if I don’t like it, I’ll just go home early. But the moment I pulled up at the beach near campus, I knew I’d made the right choice. We spent two weeks learning about graphic design, marketing, and networking, and on Friday, we took a trip to the Art Walk downtown, where we saw the final product of the things we learned during the camp, and it was amazing.”
GEOSPATIAL ENGINEERING AND LAND SURVEYING CAMP
At the inaugural Geospatial Engineering and Land Surveying (GELS) Camp, led by the Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science, 30 young campers spent a week learning how to use surveying equipment, including drones and GPS, while also hearing from industry experts about careers in the field.
Campers attended GELS Camp at no charge, thanks to a gift from the Port of Corpus Christi.
It’s easy to see how the impact of these summer camps extends well beyond summer. As campers return year after year, broaden their skills, and deepen their connection to the university, they pave their way to becoming the next generation of Islanders.
For More Information, visit www.tamucc.edu/camps
