Hundreds of incoming freshman are coming to Norman this week for the first session of Camp Crimson, the three-day orientation program that introduces new students to OU.

The camp takes place over three weekends in July and August, and students spend three days and two nights getting to know other incoming freshman, learning about Sooner traditions and participating in OU-themed activities.

About 1,500 students are expected to participate in the three camps this year, with about 500 attending each session, Camp Crimson director Zac Stevens said.

Stevens said there were about 150 more students enrolled in the camp than last year, which is why a third camp session was added this year.

The first camp, “Camp Boomer,” begins Thursday and lasts through Saturday.

Kathryn Jackson is traveling all the way from Singapore to take part in Camp Crimson, and said her family planned its summer schedule around it.

“I think it’s an awesome way to meet people and learn a lot about OU that I didn’t already know,” Jackson said.

She said her grandparents, who live in Oklahoma, joked with her about coming to OU. But when she saw the campus for the first time, she said she felt right at home.

“Since I’m from overseas, I really wanted to find a home away from home,” Jackson said. “It was all my grandparents.”

Incoming freshman Austin Pugliese is traveling from Houston.

“It’s going to be good to meet a bunch of new people,” Pugliese said. “Norman’s just a college town. There’s no college in Texas like it. I had to be here.”

Jared Schmidt is coming from Willows, Calif., to take part in the Boomer Session of Camp Crimson.

“Coming from California, I really don’t know a lot of people,” Schmidt said. “I want to get to know some people and hang out with people before coming in.”

Schmidt is looking forward to football season and meeting new people, he said.

“Sooner football, it doesn’t get any better than that,” he said. “I’m going to like being out on my own and meeting lots and lots of new people. Just being far away from my family is going to be the hardest thing. You’re so used to the ‘Bank of Dad.’ It’s going to be tough with the independence and being far from your family, but I will enjoy the independence and learning on my own. It’s really exciting.”

Kaylynn Presley, an incoming freshman from Tuttle, also said she is excited about being on her own, but is nervous about the size of OU.

“I’m really nervous about the size,” Presley said. “My high school was very small. I had about 100 kids in my class. But there’s a sense of community at OU, like everyone’s here to help everyone else. I think it’s a great school and I’m really ready to go.”

Presley said she is looking forward to taking a seminar about leadership during the semester, and meeting other freshmen during Camp Crimson while learning about OU traditions.