‘Tis the season of orange and yellow leaves, crisp fall air, and cloudy days, but before we plunge into the midst of fall, we have to go on the annual 6th grade Camp Tecumseh trip. This year, Mrs. Thompson and the 6th grade team rounded up their 118 students to take them on a scenic adventure that they won’t soon forget. With activities such as the rock climbing wall, communication games, and the survival challenge, the two days spent at camp brought back memories for all the high school helpers and staff, and created new ones for the crop of 6th grade students.

Camp Tecumseh has always welcomed guests with open arms, and this year was no different. Two staff members, Hayden Ponsar, formally known as “Hedgehog,” and Fabiano Reis, known to guests as “Falcon,” were manning the rock climbing wall during the trip. Both gentlemen provided the guests with both undeniable humor and incredible wit accompanied with a serious tone when needed, which appealed to the the 11 and 12 year olds who happen to share the same zeal for life. Both Hayden and Fabiano both displayed what it means to “live third.” Also Involved in the trip’s success were the high school volunteers: Rylee Lane, Cassie Hanna, Bailey Gasser, Kylah Flores, Cole and Tanner Pearson, Dean Hampton, Paul Marvell, Marco Rayon, Kayla Fogarasi, Lacie Thompson, and Abbie Napier. Thanks to the amazing leadership of these outstanding individuals, the 6th graders are armed with memories to last a lifetime.

Camp Tecumseh isn’t just about climbing walls or playing Gaga; the true value of this experience blooms much deeper. Now, most of us only remember playing Gaga or what we called the “fun stuff,” but as we’ve grown and matured, we’ve realized what this trip really taught us. Through all of the fun games the kids played, they learned something about each other and possibly themselves. Through the Communication Station you learned how to communicate information using limited resources, through Survival Simulation you learned how to behave as a collective team, through Mission Impossible you learned how to problem solve, and through rock climbing you learned how to encourage one another to be the best that you could be.

Not only is Camp Tecumseh about developing leadership abilities, it’s also about strengthening your faith and relationship with God. Before every meal, the entire group gathered either around the flagpole or in the dining hall and sang grace. One of the all time favorites among the kids? The Johnny Appleseed Prayer-one that was also popular among our group. If you somehow forgot it, I’ll be sure to get it stuck in your head for the next 24 hours. Here’s how it goes:

Oh, the Lord is good to me,

and so I thank the Lord

for giving me the things I need

the sun and the rain and the appleseed

the Lord is good to me

Amen
You’re welcome. Over the course of merely two days, we beared witness to the most beautiful blessing of all, a child’s happiness. We saw even the shyest of kids break out of their shell and just enjoy themselves. We saw what Camp Tecumseh is bound to bring about: smiles, laughter, and fun. For the 6th graders, this trip was an experience of a lifetime. For returning high school volunteers, this trip was a bittersweet reminder of old times. This trip lifted the souls of everyone involved, and it was such an honor to see.