Three days at camp may not sound like an educational experience, but for a group of eighth grade students at Menands Union Free School District there was plenty of learning and collaboration during the second week of September at Camp Chingachgook.
The sixteen students spent Sept. 10 through Sept. 12 at the Lake George camp, where they took part in numerous adventures while building community and leadership skills.
“I learned teamwork and I also learned that it is important to listen to everyone’s ideas,” said Alise Barden as she returned from camp.
Through activities such as archery, hiking, games, and campfires, the students formed skills that will be valuable well after their time at Menands is done.
“Camp was cool. I learned that it is important to talk one person at a time and to be patient,” said Soleil Galloway.
Science teacher Lorenz Herrmann, who is also Co-Director of the Outdoor Education program, said the key skills taught during the trip are teamwork and community.
A side benefit is that the connections the students build now will last a lifetime, and this is important to Menands because the students go onto a variety of high schools following their eighth-grade year, said Superintendent Jennifer Cannavo.
Those lessons were not lost on Daniel Brendan.
“I learned at camp that teamwork makes dreamwork,” he said.
