On Wednesday, August 15, Carolina Kickoff counselors cheered and linked hands outside of the Campus Y as incoming first years ran through their human-made tunnel. The welcoming brigade donned grass skirts, floaties, and Hawaiian shirts – fully committed to this year’s theme: Under the CK. During the following three days, forty passionate Carolina Kickoff counselors from a variety of backgrounds led campers through a crash course on how to make the most of their Carolina experience.
Founded in 1946, Carolina Kickoff has been a Carolina tradition for 72 years. The experience is a powerful opportunity for incoming first-years because it is wholly organized for students by students.
“Carolina Kickoff has been awesome. I haven’t been bored once throughout the entire experience,” said Hannah Lee, an incoming first-year from Jacksonville, Florida. “The counselors have helped me feel so excited about being a Carolina student.”
This year’s team, led by co-directors Beth Clifford and Duncan Richey, guided 168 campers from across the country through a range of fun, informational, and reflective activities. Their goal is to help first-years feel prepared and excited as they embark on their Carolina career.
“Our hope for campers is that they start off Carolina a couple steps ahead,” said Richey. “We introduce them to performance groups, campus speakers, student organizations, and – most importantly – we introduce them to other first-year students and mentors. When they leave camp I hope they know they’re coming to Carolina on move-in day with a community that supports them.”
