Types of Freshmen Orientation Camps in NUS: Your Ultimate Guide

NUS Science FOP (Photo credits: NUS Science FOP)

“Camp must go meh?”

“Must la, later you go uni no friends!”

It’s that time of the year where the new academic year is approaching, and preparations for freshmen orientation camps (FOCs) are already in full swing. Some have already started! You may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of camps that take place in over 1.5 months, and the peer pressure with having to go for the right one … How do you know which camps to go for? Are orientation camps really that important for university students?

Previously, school camps in secondary school, junior colleges and polytechnics were usually “just for fun” (And be truthful – we all know someone who’s called in sick for a camp they didn’t want to attend!). Here in NUS, orientation camps are a whole new ball game altogether. Fear not – today, Residential Life features types of orientation camps in NUS and what each of them are like!

1. Faculty-wide camps

NUS Arts Camp (Photo credits: FASS Club)

The most common camp in NUS are faculty-wide camps. These are large-scale camps that involve students from different majors in the same faculty. Hence, these camps provide an opportunity for students to network across majors! Think – in the faculty camp for the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences (FASS): History majors meeting Psychology majors meeting English majors meeting Political Science majors… You get the idea.

Why you should attend a Faculty Camp

Faculty camps involve hundreds of people from all over the faculty regardless of major, so you’ll be in for an exciting social experience by meeting so many people with different passions converging in one place and time, and all from different walks of life.

If you haven’t already decided on your major, a faculty-level camp would be perfect for doing extra research, i.e. asking your peers about their interests in their decided majors. Also, faculty camps provide you with a large number of connections that will definitely come in handy in the future! In contrast, if you were attending only a major-level camp, the scope would be more defined – in that everyone would probably be talking about one specific major only.

Cost

Faculty camps cost around $70-$85 for a four or five-day camp. If you prefer camps on a smaller scale, read on to our second type of camp!

2. Major-level camps

NUS Economics Camp (Photo credits: Instagram @nuseconomicscamp)

If you don’t think that faculty-wide orientation camps are your scene, or if enormous groups of people trigger major social anxiety for you, major-level camps are definitely a cosier alternative!

Why you should attend a major level camp

Major-level camps usually attract students who are already in the same major (duh). These are smaller platforms to get to know your course-mates and future classmates, when compared to faculty camps. Because such camps tend to have fewer participants, you’ll get to bond with each of your OG mates more closely as compared to a larger camp. You’ll get to talk to most people one-on-one, which’ll be a great opportunity for you to forge deep connections over the short duration of a camp!

Cost

Major-level camps are cheaper than faculty camps, ranging from $50-$60.

3. Faculty Camp vs Faculty O-Week Camp?

NUS Business O’week (Photo credits: NUS Bizad Club)

“What’s the difference between a faculty camp and a faculty O-Week camp?” This is one of the most common questions that freshmen have. Read on to clear your doubts!

Camps are usually a prelude to O-Week and are held before O’Week commences.

Faculty camps (Arts/Science/Business/Engine) are held in late June, while O-Week is usually in July.

Camps are social in nature, whereas O-Week incorporates some academic elements.

Faculty camps happen much earlier with a huge group of new people, so they usually involve a ton of fun activities, cheers and games throughout the camp duration.

While O-Wweek also has games, cheers and activities, they also have an added academic element – information about timetabling, bidding, and modules is discussed during O’week too. If you’re worried about being lost with the NUS curriculum, do attend O-Week to navigate the academic jungle easier with your seniors and professors!

You’ll meet different people in camp and O-Week.

Since the cost of a faculty camp and faculty O-Week camp is comparable (around $85 each), most people usually choose to attend only one of the two. While the same camp facilitators, house heads and seniors will likely be present for both camps, they often receive a brand-new batch of participants for each camp. If you’re going for both camps, you’ll get to meet a new set of people!

4. NUS Sports Camp

Photo credits: Sponsorable (Photo credits: Sponsorable)

Organized by the NUS Students Sports Club, NUS Sports Camp aims to bond sportsmen and allows you try out a range of indoor and outdoor sporting activities. The camp mainly focuses on team-building activities, which makes it a great opportunity for bonding with new friends. When you’re hanging on for dear life at the edge of your banana boat and trying not to capsize, you can be sure that it’ll be a fast-tracked way to break down barriers between people!

Why you should attend NUS Sports Camp

For those of us who revel in sporting activities, this camp is THE one! If you’re thinking of joining a sports CCA in NUS or in your future residence, NUS sports camp will connect you with like-minded sports enthusiasts. It also gives you an insight into the culture and intensity of many sports CCAs in NUS before you commit to one.

Cost

The NUS Sports Camp costs about $90 per participant.

5. Residential/Hall Camp

Sheares Hall Engagement Camp (Source: Instagram @secc_official)

If you’re a freshman looking to stay on campus, we strongly encourage you to attend your hall or residential camps to get to know more people who will be living with you!

Since the point of staying in school is the communal environment and building an independent life away from home, it is important to get to know your residential mates before moving in. Through these camps, you would also be able to meet potential buddies to navigate NUS life with. If you’re interested in opting for a double-room/suite in some of the hostel options, it may also be a chance for you to find the perfect roommate!

Why you should attend Residential/Hall camps

Aside from finding potential friends to share a living space or hang out with, attending your residential camp increases the likelihood of a better fit of residence for yourself. You’ll get to meet seniors who already stay in the residence, and you’ll get the experience the environment firsthand. This is better than committing to a full semester of hostel stay and paying the fees, only to find out later that you feel miserable in the hostel.

Cost

Hall camps are about $50-$55, while Residential College camps are about $60-$70.

However, each individual hall and RC has different rates for their orientation camps, so do be sure to check out their Instagram page or website for the latest updates. Else, just shoot them an email!

 

General FAQ: How many camps to go for?

There’s no concrete answer – The number of camps you’d choose to attend depends on your energy level and commitment level. While there are many different camps, we would advise that you calculate the costs of all the camps and pick the ones that appeal to you more.

As most camps happen in July just before classes start, and you have to think about whether you’ll burn out after days of cheering, socialising or running in the sun! After all, it would be difficult to focus on your first week of University classes while you’re still recuperating physically and mentally from camp activities.

We’d personally recommend attending about one or two camps that you feel most aligned with. If you want to attend more camps, ensure that the schedules don’t clash and that the camp dates are well-spread out so that you won’t burn out! Choosing your camps also depends on personal preference and goals – on which communities you want to integrate in and on what your priorities in university are.

Nonetheless, university camps are a once in a lifetime experience, so don’t hesitate to throw yourself into these camps and make the best out of each experience!

For the latest updates on the various camps, do check out their social media pages (Facebook/Instagram) regularly so you don’t miss out!


Do you now have a better idea of the various FOCs in NUS and what each of them are like? If you have any questions or would like to share your NUS FOC experience, do leave them down in the comments section below! We hope to see you when FOC starts! 🙂

osareslife

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *