Tents and Traditions

Students at Utah State University geared up for school this year by getting out. With tents, sleeping bags, free food and friendship, the fall semester started with a bang during the HURD’s annual Camp out on the Quad.  

A traditional Aggie event, this year’s edition of Camp out on the Quad featured an array of activities, including volleyball nets, a hot dog stand and an outdoor concert hosted by Aggie Radio. All of these activities fit right into the outdoorsy, social atmosphere of the evening.  

Junior Ambree Butterfield said that is the aspect that drew her in. “I love to see the stars. I don’t have a tent right now, so we are just sleeping under the stars.” 

First-year student Russell Bills said, “Plus, there’s a free concert.” 

However, a glimpse of the night sky and some acoustic tunes are not the only things that keep students returning to pitch their tents year after year.  

“It builds a sense of community with everyone around us,” said Butterfield. “We are all just one big, happy family.”  

With groups of people mingling around the lawn and invitations to join yard games, there isn’t a lack of opportunity for student involvement and social engagement.  

Bills even finds this event an unwritten rite of passage: “I think I’m involved now because I have slept on the campus lawn. So, I have to be an Aggie now!”  

This, says HURD director Ben Burdette, is what camping out on the Quad is really about.  

“The goal of this event is to build up school spirit before the first home football game,” said Burdette. “It’s a chance for students to come together.”  

The HURD, as described by the official website of USU, is a student-led organization tasked with building up “Aggie spirit, pride, and tradition.” Directors like Burdette are responsible for providing a fun and passionate atmosphere to bring to the student section of any game.  

One way they spread the word about the HURD is by hosting student events that promote school spirit and student involvement, such as Camp out on the Quad. 

First-year student Tara Morris described what that involvement looks like to her. “I am excited to stay out here with lots of students because when you are in your dorm, you don’t really see as many people. So, it’s cool to hang out and make some new friends.”  

Hazel Piece, another first-year student, could not agree more. “It’s excitement! It’s like potential energy.”  

This potential energy is not only present in the bustling feel of the Quad as students hurry to set up camp, but it is also alive in the memories and experiences each participating USU student creates.  

“It’s not every day you get to see the Quad full of tents, fire pits and even some projectors that people bring,” said Burdette. “It’s a really unique activity that we do, and it’s fun to see everyone participate.”  

This is especially relevant in the context of the first USU football game of the season, which will bring school spirit to a maximum “to build up the hype,” said Burdette.  

“It’s making me feel more welcome as an Aggie,” said Morris. “I am excited to do new things and everything, and so it makes me feel like part of the college community.”  

Plus, a little free food never hurts.  

“This event brings people together first with free food,” said Burdette. “Who doesn’t love free food?”  

“Those hot dogs are looking so good right now.” said Pierce.  

Burdette made it clear, however, that the ultimate goal of the HURD and the Camp out on the Quad event is much deeper than just a free hot dog or two.  

“We’ve also partnered with USUSA and Aggie Radio in the past years to help this event grow to the scale that it’s gotten to,” said Burdette. “People get to interact with new people around the fire pits, sleeping in tents and partying it up all night!”  

With new editions to the event every year, Camp out on the Quad isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.  

“It’s a tradition that we love and want to continue to have,” said Burdette, “so that more students can experience the fun of camping on the Quad.”