The Camp Fitch counselors discuss the experience they had at camp this year. They spent three days in a cabin with fourth grade students that attended their trip to Camp Fitch. Throughout these several days, the counselors learned helpful leadership skills and character development. Being a part of these memorable experiences reminded the counselors to have fun and participate in the activities they did at camp in their fourth grade.
In order to sign up, you need to fill out the application that is given in March. The form will be handed to Mr. Carden, and he will decide who is able to go. Seniors have seniority and juniors are second priority. Underclassmen are able to sign up but are unlikely to be needed. The reason as to why many people sign up to be a counselor is because they had a good experience with their previous counselor in fourth grade.
The counselors were asked if they were nervous to go to Camp Fitch. Those who were nervous were mainly ones that did not have the opportunity to attend Camp Fitch in the fourth grade. They found it was scary to not know what they were getting into. While being unsure of how well the kids would behave or what each day would look like, the counselors maintained a good attitude towards showing up to camp. Although many fourth graders were nervous to attend camp, it is helpful to know that counselors were also just as nervous.
The seniors express their worries of attending Camp Fitch.
“I was scared to go because I was scared of how the kids would behave and if it would influence my career choice,” says Samantha Minno.
“I was nervous because I had never gone to Camp Fitch in 4th grade. I did not know what to expect,” says Melyka West.
“I was only nervous that I would lose a kid and not like the food there,” says Kylie Schiedel.
“I was very nervous for Camp Fitch because I did not know what to expect. I didn’t go in 4th grade, so I had no clue what I was getting myself into which was terrifying,” says Addison Liptak.
In preparation for camp, the seniors packed ahead of time and brought extra clothes to be prepared for any kind of weather. Ensuring they brought lots of bug spray, the counselors knew that there would be a lot of bugs out. A couple of things the counselors regretted not bringing are more skincare products and a real flashlight. Walking at night in the pitch black requires a decent flashlight to keep on hand.
Seniors share important items to bring to camp.
“I prepared by bringing lots of bug spray and extra clothes for any weather conditions. Bringing a bug repellant specifically for hair was also very helpful. I regretted not bringing face wash because I forgot it at home,” says Minno.
“I packed the night before and was scared to forget something, which I did. I wish I had brought a flashlight because there was a lot of walking in the dark at night,” says West.
“I packed extra clothes, but I wish I would have brought more water bottles because the water there is just sink water,” says Schidel.
“I prepared for Camp Fitch by constantly checking the weather since we would be outside all day, and also talking to the people who have gone before. I regret not bringing bug spray because the bugs were brutal and also not bringing a flashlight because I was unaware of how dark it would get at night,” says Liptak.
Some things that the counselors did not expect to encounter at Camp Fitch would be the food being as good as it was. It was better than expected and filled everyone up throughout the long days spent there. Walking there was obviously expected but constantly walking around a big camp became very tiring after a long day. Every day was activity filled, and there were very few breaks. A lot of the kids were very bold with their words and were not scared to speak up.
Counselors give insight on unexpected events during camp.
“I was not expecting the food to be as good as it was; it wasn’t the best food ever, but it definitely filled everybody up,” says Minno.
“I was not expecting all the different things we would do. Each day was very busy, and we were constantly walking around,” says West.
“I was not expecting to walk that much,” says Schidel.
“I was not expecting the children to be so bold. A lot of kids said what they wanted with no hesitation which was a lot to handle, but it was also very enjoyable at times,” says Liptak.
Despite the chaos camp may have brought, leadership skills were gained. Many of the counselors expressed their appreciation toward the patience; they earned leadership qualities by volunteering those three days for camp. It was important to them to make an impact on the fourth graders lives, just as their camp counselors did on theirs.
Counselors gain leadership skills.
“I grew in my leadership skills because I learned how to say no to people and discover what is best for each kid,” says Minno.
“Spending time with the fourth graders made me realize how important it is to appreciate things. The kids were so involved, and I got to think through their perspectives again. I am now able to think differently in order to help others better, especially when the kids were feeling homesick,” says West.
“I got to be a role model to the fourth graders, and it helped me understand what leadership truly is,” says Schiedel.
“I grew my leadership skills at Camp Fitch by learning how to take control. Usually, it’s hard for me to be mean or stern, but these kids quickly showed me that sometimes I need to be in order to keep them in line,” says Liptak.
To better help upcoming juniors and seniors determine if they want to go or not, the counselors say do it. Although there can be a lot of moments of uncertainty, it was truly a memorable time for the counselors and something that they will remember forever. At the end of the day all of the counselors bonded over a memorable, challenging and chaotic experience camp fitch was.
Seniors suggest counseling at Camp Fitch.
“Advice I would give to upcoming counselors would be to not worry. The kids will not listen, but at the end of the day as long as nobody is crying, that’s a win,” says Minno.
“To give insight to leaders interested in signing up, I would say to do it. It was definitely an eventful three days, and I got to relive and tell some fun stories,” says West.
“The advice I would give to upcoming counselors would be to just go. It is a memorable experience that you will never forget,” say Schiedel.
“I will tell future counselors to catch up on your sleep beforehand because the kids will not go to sleep at night, and you are constantly doing something throughout the day. I will also tell them to expect the unexpected because there are so many things that will happen that you were not even sure could happen,” says Liptak.
