InsideOSU
24 Hours with Camp Cowboy: Quest

TRANSCRIPT:
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Nate Diekelman, Director of Outdoor Adventure: Camp Cowboy Quest is the expedition version of Camp Cowboy. So that is our freshman orientation immersion camp experience. We created this program about 5 years ago to try and create some opportunities for students that were interested in getting out in the woods and getting out of their comfort zone and trying something new.
Austin Hooten, Director of Outdoor Experience/ Camp Cowboy, Quest: The camp locations are going to be at Cedar Lake Recreation Area, Robbers Cave State Park, and Lake Carl Blackwell here in Stillwater. The location that we're going to be going to is Robbers Cave. It is arguably one of the prettiest state parks in Oklahoma.
Nate Diekelman: When we get to the camp the first thing we do we'll set up our tents, we'll have a little snack, we'll find the bathrooms. Quest Camp leads to a different kind of learning for those students that come with us and they get to meet new people. They're eating strange foods. All of those things are the gateway to broadening horizons and welcoming our students to the campus in August.
Houston Clark, Student: I feel like I didn't do enough in high school in the way of activities and I just wanted to be the opposite in college. I want to do every single thing possible so this is the perfect first opportunity to just do stuff and meet people.
Presley Senn, Student: Because the area I grew up in we don't really have the chance to go out into the forest that often so when I heard about the Quest Camp I was like "oh being out in the forest. I get to go get lost in the woods, why not?"
Austin Hooten: So these incoming students are going to learn not only self-confidence skills, survival skills for sleeping out in the woods, but they're also going to come to college knowing a small group of people that they're going to be in classes with. They're just going to get a really big in depth introduction to OSU. We're going to have some alumni come and speak about histories, traditions, resources.
Presley Senn: It's absolutely gorgeous. I absolutely loved waking up and hearing all the animals that are around. Wasn't a big fan of seeing the daddy long leg that was right outside my tent but other than that it's absolutely gorgeous. I really love it.
John Osuna, Student: You know I'm an eagle scout so I've always enjoyed being in the outdoors and this sounded right up my alley. I saw the email for it I'm like I got to check this out. I found the three options and I really like repelling so Robbers Cave sounds like a really good place to go.
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Houston Clark: It was pretty freaky. You have to climb up like off the edge of the cliff to start out. That final drop it's just amazing. Beautiful views of the lake up there. It was just a great morning.
Nate Diekelman: Camp Cowboy Quest alumni tend to have a very tight nit group because they have such a intimate shared experience.
Brooke Payne, Student: Everyone's been getting along really well. Everyone helps each other. Everyone's very friendly and so it's been really good. I've met a lot of friends. We have our own big group so it's been really fun.
Houston Clark: I love all the people I've met. It feels like I've known them for years and it's only been just a few days.
Presley Senn: We've all basically agreed that we want to try and keep contact outside of camp because we all like each other so much.
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Austin Hooten: The main goal is to inform the students of the university that they're coming to in the following August about everything that's available to them to ensure their success.
John Osuna: I'm from Austin Texas so I had very little exposure to Oklahoma State growing up. I learned the traditions. I learned this fight song, the alma mater, all that and I'm really excited about it.
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Brooke Payne: This morning we've just been picking up tents. Just kind of helping each other out. We are going to Robbers Cave here in a little bit so very excited for that.
[Background] This is a mountain range that goes east and west.
Austin Hooten: I think students should come to Quest Camp to get out of their comfort zone. To learn about themselves. Learn about people that they're going to be coming to college with. Learn about the university that they're going to come to. And really just engage in something that they wouldn't usually engage with.
Presley Senn: Definitely do it if you want to meet people that are going to go alongside you and make sure that you try out new things, it's definitely something I would recommend.
John Osuna: Don't even give it a second thought. Just do it. Sign up. It's a great experience and you don't want to miss it.