The three-day camp known as Camp Hetuck at the Ohio State University at Mansfield (OSU-M) experienced its largest attendance this year, boasting over 70 campers. The camp, which refers to the Erie Native American tribe’s word for “eye of the buck,” aimed to teach incoming freshman significant leadership skills before the start of school in the fall.
The camp is designed to inspire freshmen to take ownership of their college experience by learning new leadership skills. The work shops and activities were taught by Steve Ostipow and Jason LeVasseur from Asset Campus Housing based out of Houston, TX.
It was Opstipow’s sixth time at Camp Hetuck. LeVasseur, also a traveling rock artist from Nashville, TN, came along with Ostipow. The team of two reinforced the week’s mantra: be your own rock star.
“I say to the students coming in that didn’t necessarily want to come to the Mansfield campus that they can be a big fish in a little pond. Camp Hetuck inspires these kids to start building their own niche, write their own story, be their own rock star,” said Director of Student Engagement Elise Riggle.
Riggle has been employed by Ohio State University since 2001 and she said that these two days of Camp Hetuck are the highlight of her year.
Riggle also said that most of the campers end up staying in Mansfield for a longer term.
Retaining young talent in Mansfield has proven to be difficult in recent years. According to Census data recorded by Economic Modeling Specialists Inc., Richland County lost 7 percent of its young population aged 20-34 from 2002 to 2012, which equates to over 1,500 persons. Ohio lost 28,000 persons in this age bracket.
Most young individuals are migrating to larger neighboring states or states like Texas and North Carolina.
These two days at Camp Hetuck are special to many of the incoming freshmen. Some comments found on the group of campers’ Facebook page include:
“I am so happy that I did this. It truly was an amazing experience for me! Thank you to all who had a part in making Camp Hetuck the best. Looking forward to building stronger bonds with everyone throughout the year. OSU-M is now like a second home to me,” wrote Trevon Barnes from Twinsburg.
“Thanks for such a great time everyone! I had one of the greatest times ever. I hope to see you all again in the fall,” wrote Trevor Summers from Willard.
Mark Matthews, a junior from Savannah at OSU-M, went to Camp Hetuck when he was a freshman. He said his experience with the camp made him fall in love with the campus and Mansfield area.
He now lives and works in Mansfield, and plans on finishing college with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Professional Writing, which he can finish at OSU-M.
To bolster enthusiasm for getting connected to the local businesses, campers are given a folder with information on the Mansfield area. There are packets with information on internships and other part time jobs available. On the second day, Internship Program Coordinator Tracy Bond lead a session to talk about all of the possibilities offered through OSU-M in the Mansfield area.
Different activities throughout the couple of days taught the students the importance of working on a team, taking the initiative with certain opportunities, and they learned what strengths each possessed through Elise Riggle’s walk through of StrengthsQuest.
Each camper is a registered student for the upcoming school year starting in the fall. Most of the freshman will be living in one of the two apartment villages offered through the university.
For more information on Camp Hetuck or the Ohio State University at Mansfield campus, visit the website.
