What's the magic of Panther Camp? | FIU Division of Student Affairs

What's the magic of Panther Camp? | FIU Division of Student Affairs
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What's the magic of Panther Camp?
Panther Camp provides incoming FIU students with the opportunity to transition to FIU in an exciting and engaging manner. The program focuses on building relationships with other FIU students, fostering school spirit, cultivating future student leaders and helping students learn about FIU's traditions and unique culture. Become a part of a proud FIU tradition and build new friendships as you begin your journey as a Panther!
Registration for Summer 2026 now open!
Degree-seeking first-year and transfer students admitted Early Fall 2026, Fall 2026, and Spring 2027 are eligible to attend.

Eligible students can visit their my.fiu.edu portal to register for sessions as they become available.
Click here to access your my.fiu.edu portal and register today!
Panther Camp Check In
We can’t wait to see you at Panther Camp! As a friendly reminder, please make sure you review the information on all the tabs below and in your Panther Camper e-mail to help you prepare for Panther Camp.
Program Check-in & End Time
Parking & Transportation
Preparing for Panther Camp
Specific details regarding check-in and end time will become available closer to the next session.
Please see our campus map
or use the FIU Mobile app, which has interactive maps to help you navigate the Modesto Maidique campus and familiarize yourself with the drop-off/parking areas.
We will return from LaBelle, FL to FIU MMC on the last day of Panther Camp.
If you are being picked up, busses will arrive at Lot 3 outside the Student Academic Success Center (SASC).
The nearest drop-off areas for campers are on the first floor of Gold Garage (PG-1) or in Lot 3 in front of the Student Academic Success Center (SASC). When you exit the garages, follow the signs to the Graham Center (GC).
The nearest student parking areas for campers are Gold Garage (PG-1) and Blue Garage (PG-2) in any unmarked, student spaces. When you exit the garages, follow the signs to the Graham Center (GC).
If you are enrolled in classes for the summer semester, make sure you have registered your vehicle in the FIU Parking and Transportation portal. If you are not currently enrolled in classes and plan to park on campus during camp, you will need to register your vehicle using the one-time camp parking link which will be available closer to your session.
All campers, student leaders, and staff travel together in charter buses from FIU’s Modesto Maidique Campus (MMC) to the camp site and back to MMC at the end of the session. The camp site is Riverside Camp and Retreat Center (The Heart of the River) located at 7305 FL-78, Fort Denaud, FL 33935.
If you require a specific travel accommodation, please contact us at pcamp@fiu.edu.
Schedule & Packing List
: You will receive a schedule that outlines camp when you arrive, however please plan for early mornings and late nights.
Click
here
to access our Packing List. Our team has also curated some awesome
Spotify Playlists
to jam out to while packing for camp! 🎶🙌
Pre-Camp Email
You will be receiving an email a few days before your session with the subject line, "Attendance Status: Session X". The email will ask you to confirm your attendance, verify registration details, and list FAQs you may have about this experience.
Waivers
: As part of the Panther Camp registration, campers must sign a few waivers. If you are
under
18 years old
, you must have a parent or guardian sign the Panther Camp minor waivers. If you are 18 years or older, no further action with waivers is needed on your part.
Panther Camp Guide
What can I expect at Panther Camp?
Meet 125+ other new students in large and small group settings.
Meet FIU staff, and
student leaders.
Participate in fun activities and team builders.
Learn tips and tricks on how to be a successful student.
Learn about FIU traditions.
Learn how to take advantage of opportunities available to you as a FIU student.
Learn leadership skills and the leadership opportunities for you on campus.
Learn how to make the most of your college experience.
Become a part of a proud FIU tradition.
Have fun!
Who can attend Panther Camp?
Panther Camp is a retreat for
new students only
.  Degree-seeking first-year and transfer students admitted Early Fall 2026, Fall 2026, and Spring 2027 are eligible to attend. Parents and family members are
not
able to attend Panther Camp. We encourage parents and family members to
attend our annual
Parent & Family Weekend
, which takes place during the Fall semester.
When is Panther Camp?
We will be hosting four sessions throughout Summer 2026 and one session in Spring 2027. All registrations are on a first-come, first served basis. Registration for additional sessions will be available and released as each session is completed/reaches capacity. Eligible students can visit their
my.fiu.edu portal
to register.
Friday, June 5 - Sunday, June 7 (
registration now open
; recommended for students admitted Summer 2026)
Friday, June 26- Sunday, June 28 (recommended for students admitted Summer 2026)
Friday, July 17- Sunday, July 19 (recommended for students admitted Fall 2026)
Wednesday, August 19- Friday, August 21 (recommended for students admitted Fall 2026)
Early move-in accommodations available for campers living on-campus in the fall semester. Please email
pcamp@fiu.edu
for more details.
Where is Panther Camp?
Panther Camp 2026 will be hosted at a retreat center in LaBelle, FL, which is about 2.5 hours away from the Modesto A. Maidique Campus. Transportation is included in the cost of registration and will be provided for all campers to and from Panther Camp.
How do I register for Panther Camp?
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Camper registration includes travel, lodging, meals, activities, and giveaways throughout the duration of Panther Camp.
Students can visit their
my.fiu.edu portal
to register for available sessions. Once logged into the portal, click on the "Orientation" tile and find the "Panther Camp" section. Registration for additional sessions will be available and released as each session is completed/reaches capacity.
Scholarships to aid interested students in attending camp are available on a limited basis. More information about the scholarship program is available below. Students interested in applying for a scholarship should
not
register for Panther Camp and should instead wait on further instructions following their scholarship application submission.
Requesting Accommodations
Should you need an ADA accommodation to participate in a university event, program, or activity or need to request materials in an accessible format, please contact FIU’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) at 305-348-2785 or
accommodations@fiu.edu
and copy
pcamp@fiu.edu
.  All requests for ADA accommodation or accessible materials for this event must be submitted to OCR at least seven (7) business days prior to the event or at the earliest possible opportunity.
The Panther Camp Scholarship Program
All efforts are made to ensure that participants pay as little as possible to attend Panther Camp. A limited number of scholarships are awarded each session and require an application. There are two different Panther Camp Scholarship opportunities below.

Please note that scholarships will not be granted to individuals who have already registered for Panther Camp and paid the full registration fee.
Apply for a Panther Camp Scholarship
Panther Camp Blue Scholarship
The Panther Camp Blue Scholarship is awarded to students based on expressed financial need and thorough completion of their application. Recipients will receive a 50% scholarship that will reduce the Panther Camp registration fee in half. The recipients of the Panther Camp Blue Scholarship will be responsible for the remaining cost of their Panther Camp registration.
Throughout the academic year, the Panther Camp team raises funds for the Panther Camp Scholarship Program to help defer the cost of camp for students with financial need and a passion to get involved at FIU. In 2024, the Panther Camp Blue Scholarship was awarded to 8 students and allowed for each of them to attend Panther Camp at a lowered registration cost.
Scholarships will not be granted to participants who have already registered for Panther Camp.
How to Apply:
Log into Panther Connect
here
with your FIU student credentials.
The Panther Camp Blue Scholarship Application can be found
here
Complete your scholarship application to its entirety and submit.
After the application deadline for your selected
Panther Camp session
, you will receive a decision notification through your
FIU student email.
If selected, you will receive emailed instructions on how to register for Panther Camp using your scholarship.
The deadlines for applying for a Panther Camp Scholarship are:
Session 1 (June 5-7) = Sunday, May 24, 11:59 PM (EST)
Session 2 (June 26-28) = Sunday, June 14, 11:59 PM (EST)
Session 3 (July 17-19) = Sunday, July 5, 11:59 PM (EST)
Session 4 (August 19-21) = Sunday, August 2, 11:59 PM (EST)
Panther Camp Robillard Gold Scholarship
The Robillard Panther Camp Gold Scholarship was founded in 2015 by the Robillard family. Over the last several years, funds provided by the Robillard family have been dedicated to supporting the full cost of Panther Camp registration for a select number of students who demonstrate their passion and excitement for FIU and giving back to the Panther family.
In 2024, the Robillard Panther Camp Gold Scholarship was awarded to 11 and allowed for each student to have the full registration cost of Panther Camp waived. Those selected as Robillard Scholars will be a part of future Panther Camp recruitment, reunion, and scholarship fundraising events. Robillard Scholars will also submit a Panther Camp experience testimonial following their camp attendance and participate in Panther Camp promotional content.
Scholarships will not be granted to participants who have already registered for Panther Camp.
How to Apply:
Log into Panther Connect
here
with your FIU student credentials.
The Robillard Panther Camp Gold Scholarship Application can be found
here
Complete your scholarship application to its entirety and submit.
After the application deadline for your selected
Panther Camp session
, you will receive a decision notification through your
FIU student email.
If selected, you will receive emailed instructions on how to register for Panther Camp using your scholarship.
The deadlines for applying for a Panther Camp Scholarship are:
Session 1 (June 5-7) = Sunday, May 24, 11:59 PM (EST)
Session 2 (June 26-28) = Sunday, June 14, 11:59 PM (EST)
Session 3 (July 17-19) = Sunday, July 5, 11:59 PM (EST)
Session 4 (August 19-21) = Sunday, August 2, 11:59 PM (EST)
Spring ’25 scholarship recipient Christopher said -
“Panther Camp is a must when going into FIU since it gives you head start on meeting new people and learning about the resources available.”
Support Panther Camp
Get Involved
If you are not an incoming student but still want to get involved in Panther Camp on a leadership level, please see our Panther Camp
leadership page
Panther Camp Foundation
Donations to the Panther Camp Program - FIU Foundation will provide support for any expenses related to the operations, programming, services, and student support. If you'd like to make an in-kind donation or have questions, please email
pcamp@fiu.edu
Stay Connected With Us!
To connect with Panther Camp before your session, please visit our social media platforms (@fiupanthercamp) and check out our Flickr Photo Album
here.
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on YouTube
Follow us on Facebook
Contact
305-348-6414
orient@fiu.edu
Livechat Hours on Website
Monday through Friday: 8 am – 5 pm
Send us a text!
SMS Text:
305-783-3180
Orientation and Family Programs
MMC – Graham Center (GC) 189
BBC – Wolfe University Center (WUC) 129
Operating Business Hours
Monday – Friday: 8 am – 5 pm
Follow Us!
Find us on Panther Connect