Frequently Asked Questions

Dawg Days is a four-day, three-night overnight retreat for new students at SIU. Our entire program is centered around building strong, positive peer networks before students move onto campus. Students participate in large group activities, such as: water tug-of-war, an adventure race, and evening socials. They also engage in small group activities, such as: broomball, life-size Battleship, and GaGa ball. Each day, students can choose to participate in optional activities like rock climbing and hiking. The retreat is held at Southern Illinois University’s own Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, located approximately ten minutes from the main campus. Touch of Nature as an SIU entity boasts 3,100 acres of rolling hills and lush forests that students can explore during their time at Dawg Days and as a Saluki. Each session has about 100 incoming students and 30 upperclassmen volunteers who serve as friends, mentors, and a support system for when students move onto campus.

Please check directly with your organizations to see if other obligations conflict with the current offering.

Yes! We have limited space at Dawg Days. In the past we have had a waiting list, so we recommend signing up sooner rather than later!

Yes. There is a waitlist for those that attend Dawg Days. We still strongly recommend that folks sign-up for the waitlist as we do regularly see a handful of cancellations as the school year draws closer. 

Those who are on the waitlist will be notified directly by the Touch of Nature administrative staff if a space becomes available. At the latest, individuals on the waitlist will know by August 1st.

Students participating in Dawg Days will check in on the SIU campus and ride charter buses to camp. Students will meet up with staff members in the Parking Lot 56 South of the SIU Arena, where they can be dropped off or leave their vehicles.

Students can also be picked up from the Williamson County Regional Airport, located in Marion, IL. Individuals taking the train, must arrive at the station at 1:30 pm on the start day of the program. Individuals flying should plan to arrive before 1:30 pm.

A detailed list of arrival information can be found on our websiteIf you are unsure of our ability to accommodate your travel logistics, please call 618-453-1122 before making accommodations.

The cost of the residential program is $225. This price includes your lodging, transportation, programming, meals, and a camp T-shirt. Please see the packing list for a more detailed list of the gear needed.

There is a payment plan available that involves a $100 down payment. A payment plan is available upon registration. The dates and amounts for the payment plan may change as we come closer to the start of our programs.

Dawg Days receives a generous amount of support from partners such as the Achieve Program, the SIU Alumni Association, the Office of Diversity and SIU Credit Union. It is through their support that Dawg Days can offer both partial and full scholarships.

Students can apply for scholarships by visiting www.dawgdays.siu.edu, clicking on the application in the right-hand column and submitting it by August 1st.

All Dawg Days participants are eligible for early move-in on August 9th. Students will need to confirm if they plan to move-in early in a follow-up Active form by August 1st to participate in early move in.

The last day to receive a refund for Dawg Days if you decide to not attend is August 1st. After this date, refunds are at the discretion of Touch of Nature Administrative staff.

All cancellations prior to August 1st will face a $20 cancellation fee.

While registering through Active, students and their parents can communicate and special needs or dietary restrictions. If you have questions, please contact the Camp Director to discuss any special needs or accommodations at ton@siu.edu or call 618-453-1122.

If you are having problems with registering online, please contact our office at 618-453-1122.

Our residential program is active; however, there are a variety of optional activities, some of which will be indoors. This is not a camping trip! You will be staying in air-conditioned cabins with modern restrooms. The meeting rooms are air conditioned as well.

• Linens for an extended twin bed (sleeping bag, sheets, pillow)
• Towels for shower and pool
• Shower shoes
• Comfortable and modest clothes for recreation and activities such as shorts and T-shirts are appropriate for all activities, and you may want more than one set per day.
• Toiletries
• Closed toe shoes for recreation and optional activities
• Protection from the sun, such as hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
• Appropriate swimwear

STUDENTS SHOULD NOT BRING:

Valuable items that could easily be misplaced such as jewelry, credit cards, or more than $20 cash. Any drugs, alcohol, weapons of any kind, including pocketknives, are not allowed at camp. This is a sanctioned SIU event, and any violations will be handled in cooperation with the university police and/or university disciplinary council (see Student Handbook). Students who violate these policies will be asked to leave the program without a refund.

Yes, of course we do! You do not need to have an expensive costume to participate either. The cheesier, the better!!