HOLA GATITOS!
Congratulations on taking the first step towards a successful first year at the University of Arizona! As a Bear Down Camp camper (Gatito) you have the advantage of familiarizing yourself with the UArizona campus and Tucson community. In addition, you will have the opportunity to create a strong network of peers and mentors that many campers carry with them through their freshman year and beyond.
Dates: Sunday, August 13 - Thursday, August 17th, 2023(Early Move-In will be Saturday, August 12th)
Registration for Bear Down Camp 2023 has closed.
Please email beardowncamp@arizona.edu with any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of our frequently asked questions. If you have any additional questions or concerns please feel free to email us at
Bear Down Camp will be held on the UArizona campus!
Bear Down Camp will be held from Sunday, August 13th - Thursday, August 17th. With Housing move-in happening on Saturday, August 12th. Early move-in is not required to attend Bear Down Camp.
Our team is working diligently to develop an action and informative packed schedule and will update our website and email participants as soon as this information is available. You can be certain that the camp will offer a balance of high-energy activities and calmer information sessions and learning opportunities each day. Camp is an inclusive experience and all activities are "challenge by choice" meaning you choose what you are comfortable with each step of the way. Our camp counselors (Gatos) are here to encourage, assist, and support you with having the best camp experience.
The Bear Down Camp attendance cost is $250. This fee will cover the camper's food for the duration of camp, camp shirts/merchandise, and all camp activities. There is an additional early move-in fee that will be a $30/day charge from Housing & Residential Life will be billed to your Bursar account. This is applicable from Sunday, August 13-Tuesday, August 15, 2023 and is separate from your registration payment. You will not be charged up until Thursday as regular move-in begins on Wednesday, August 16th and does not require a fee.
The registration Link will be posted on on homepage the morning registration opens.
All campers will receive an email confirming their spot in the program in addition to any missing or incorrect information that we may need but was not included upon initial registration. If you have registered for camp and have not received a confirmation email within 7-10 days, contact the administrative team immediately at beardowncamp@arizona.edu. Once registration has closed, weekly messages will go out to both campers and parents with information regarding camp.
Gatos (“cats”) are Bear Down Camp counselors and Gatitos (“little cats”) are Bear Down Camp campers. Simple as that!
Early move-in will have a $30/day charge from Housing & Residential Life will be billed to your Bursar account. This is applicable from Saturday, August 12-Tuesday, August 15, 2023 and is separate from your registration payment. You will not be charged up until Thursday as regular move-in begins on Wednesday, August 16th and does not require a fee. Check in for Bear Down Camp move-in is Saturday, Aug. 12th from 12-3PM. Students will move into their assigned dorm for the year at the time of move-in.
Early move-in is not required and is optional.
For questions about Move-In, please contact Housing at housing@arizona.edu, or (520) 621-6501, or visit www.housing.arizona.edu/movein.
If you have reached the “Thank you for registering” page and paid by credit card, your registration is complete! You should receive a confirmation email with more information from the Bear Down Camp Directors. An e-mail confirmation will be sent within 7-10 days upon receipt.
For those living off-campus, you are responsible for your transportation to and from campus for each day of camp.
Several resources exist via the University as well as the Tucson Downtown Metro area to assist you.
For information regarding the on and around campus shuttle service — Cat Tran — please refer to the parking.arizona.edu website.
Additionally, for students living farther from campus in the broader Downtown and surrounding area, the Sun Link Street Car is an excellent option — with a stop conveniently located just steps from the Students Union.
Also be aware of Tugo bike share stations peppered around the University area. Tucson is a bike friendly community; this is a great way to commute and familiarize yourself with the area.
Destination Arizona is a mandatory program designed to welcome all new students, like yourself, to campus before the start of classes. Our goal is to ensure that you feel welcomed and know that you can find your community of Wildcats.
Campers will need to attend mandatory Destination Arizona sessions. Destination Arizona will take place August 18th - August 19th.
More information can be found here: https://orientation.arizona.edu/post-orientation/destination-arizona