Buckets of water, shrieks of laughter and 20,000 balloons filled the air last week as students launched into the fourth annual water balloon fight at UIS REC Park. The event, hosted by Campus Movement (CAMO), kicked off the semester with chaos, camaraderie, and plenty of splashes.

Aaron Vasquez, CAMO director, said the goal is simple: bring students together through fun. “We just want students to get connected and have a ton of fun,” he explained.

Students chased, dodged, and soaked each other as thousands of balloons exploded across the field. For some, it was an entirely new experience. “This is my first water balloon fight, and it is super exciting!” said Haruna Tagami, a Japanese exchange student from Ashikaga University.

The mayhem also sparked lighthearted rivalries. Women’s cross-country runner Marissa Roggensack admitted her team came with a mission: “We will be targeting the men’s cross-country team.”

When the balloons finally ran out, there were no champions—only hundreds of drenched, smiling students.

The fight reflects CAMO’s 2024–25 slogan, “Summer’s out and away we go!” The organization has nine more major events planned this year, including bingo, sporting tournaments, “The Price is Fright” Halloween edition, and the annual Deal or No Deal, where one student can win $1,000.

CAMO also holds regular meetings in the Lincoln Residence Hall Great Room. More information can be found on their UIS Connections page.