Basketball season has arrived and with the home rivalry game against the Tar Heels fast approaching, securing a ticket to this game takes more effort than just requesting a ticket online; students have to camp out.

The Campout for tickets to the Carolina-State game is one of the biggest on-campus events of the year and, according to the Campout Web site, 80 percent of the tickets allotted to students go to the campers. 

Arialle Crabtree, campus community chair, said she is expecting about 2,000 campers this year and said the Union Activities Board and Student Government have lots of fun activities and surprises planned.

“UAB has done an excellent job coordinating with Student Government — we are planning to have music throughout the night, a student basketball game, we’re showing a movie, painting the tunnel and setting cornhole up.  Plus, we have a lot of fun surprises for the students,” Crabtree said. 

Wessley McKnight, a junior in biochemistry, said he is looking forward to the Campout this year; he just hopes it’s not as cold as last year.

“We had a group of about 15 last year and it was freezing.  A buddy of mine and I stayed the entire time, but others left to get food or warm up,” he said. “Regardless we had a good time. We basically played around, watched old basketball games and movies on our laptops. Being in that environment is great — everybody is there talking and having fun.”

Crabtree said not as many showed last year due to the frigid weather.

“Last year we had around 2,000 to register, but not all showed due to the cold weather.”

Last year’s weather didn’t hinder Tyler Scales, a sophomore in biological sciences, from going out and having fun.

“There were free drinks, lots of open space and plenty of good friends; we played football and poker then chilled out and ate pizza,” Scales said. “Camping out to get tickets and actually going to the game was fun but come on, Ben McCauley getting that last hit was awesome.”

According to Crabtree, Campout, which was held at Lee Field in past years, was traditionally held at Reynolds, but issues about safety and the ability to control crowds forced organizers to move the event.  Tthis year they decided to move the Campout back to its original location.

“We like to think that the Campout is equivalent to the presidential inauguration.  It wouldn’t be the same if the president gave his first speech somewhere like Alaska, just like it’s not the same as having the Campout on Lee fields,” Crabtree said. “Reynolds is at the heart of N.C. State and we want to honor Wolfpack heritage and restore the Campout tradition to its original location.”

Scales said he, too, is glad the Campout is at Reynolds.

“Last year it was on Lee fields, but this year it’s at Reynolds, where it should be.”

Crabtree said there will be 475 campsites at Reynolds and all campers will be in mulch area, extending from near the Bookstore to the Colliseum parking lot.

Students will receive at least one 10’x10′ space per six people and have the option of renting camping equipment from the Rec Center.

Scott Schneider, coordinator of Outdoor Adventures, said Campout days in the past proved to be the Rec Center’s busiest rental day of the year. 

“Last year we rented out every single tent, sleeping bag, pad and even brought out our travel equipment to rent because of the high demand,” he said. “This year is going to be a challenge since the Campout is before school starts but we will still be open that Friday.”

Schneider said OA is offering a drop-off and pick-up service, where staff members take equipment to Reynolds, have students show a receipt to get equipment, then return to pick equipment up so students don’t have to bring it back.

Tents can be reserved online or in person at Campus Recreation prior to the last day of school. 

Schneider also said if reserved camping items aren’t picked up by 5 p.m. that Friday, students can come in and grab anything unclaimed.

Crabtree is looking forward to the event and encourages everyone to come out and have fun.

“The Campout is a great way to get excited about basketball season and kick off the semester,” she said.

Registration for the Campout is from now until Jan. 3.