Experiencing Asbury to the Fullest Through ImpactU

June 12, 2021

Summer programming kicked off this week at Asbury University, with almost 85 high school students on campus for the first week of ImpactU.

Camp Director Tanner Fouts said the students are getting the full Asbury campus experience, including sleeping in the dorms and eating in the cafeteria.

“It’s really great for them to be among diverse leaders and engaging in a diverse curriculum as well,” Fouts said.

Week one’s camps emphasized film making, forensics, choir, theatre & film acting, and adventure leadership. Students came from as far as Montana and Virginia and are excited to be back to unique, in-person experiences. 

Camper Riley McChord said her camp experience has been very informative and has stretched her, academically.

“I’ve learned a lot from the professors and advisors, and I’ve had a great time,” she said. “The leaders at ImpactU have really done a great job orchestrating ways for us campers to really get to know each other and spend time together. It’s so cool to see people from around the country who have never met each other before…become friends over night.”

She said though the friendships are short, they are incredibly special.

“The counselors deserve another shout out because they all have been so nice and accommodating,” she said, adding that they do everything from bringing the students snacks to making sure they wake up on time in the morning. “You felt very cared about at ImpactU and that’s something you don’t always find anywhere, let alone a summer camp.”

Fouts is thrilled to be able to offer the kids social and spiritual engagement, especially since some have missed it during the COVID shutdowns of the last year.

“We can see faces again, it’s been great,” he said. “The kids have exploded with having that social engagement again. They’ve gone through so much and with our themes during worship, we’ve been talking about belonging, believing and becoming – as students it’s really neat to see them reflect on their lives and see them stepping into a new chapter.”

He noted that while many of them knew about Asbury, this was their first time experiencing campus to the fullest.

In week two, campers will experience Asbury’s one-of-a-kind equine program, as well as creative writing, film, and environmental science & biotechnology.

To learn more visit https://www.asbury.edu/life/conferences-camps/impactu/.