About Dawg Days

Dawg Days New Student Retreat is a four-day, three-night program held at Southern Illinois University’s Touch of Nature Environmental Center. Students arrive at the SIU main campus the day of their session and are transported there. 

Incoming campers will be placed with about 120 other members of your class. Our program is led by 4 camp directors and several volunteer counselors who are all students at SIU. Within your camp, you will then be separated into a smaller group led by 2 camp counselors. This small group will provide you with a support system that will last through your entire college career at SIU, and possibly beyond. You'll spend time with your small group, your cabin mates, and all of the other participants throughout the course of the program in a variety of settings.

Freshmen are split into small groups of 10-12 students guided by 2 upperclassmen counselors. However, you’ll come together in one large group on numerous occasions.

Your camp will begin to share a special bond as you spend time getting to know one another through small group activities and large group challenges.

The entire camp will dine together for meals each day and will come together each evening for themed mixers with upperclassmen and other freshmen. All are a great opportunity to get to know your new Saluki family.