Sixteen Menands eighth grade students left Tuesday for the annual three-day trip to Camp Chingachgook. 
After going over final details with their teachers, the students helped pack their bus and departed for the Warren County camp.
During their stay, the group will take part in numerous adventures while building community and leadership skills.
Through archery, hiking, games, and campfires, the students form skills that will be valuable well after their time at Menands is done. 
“I am looking forward to the campfires. I have seen them in the movies and the people are sitting around and singing songs and being cheerful, and I want to experience that,” said Siva Saranya Karthika Chembeti.
Classmate Jaysen Chen is looking forward to adventure.
“I can’t wait for the ropes course and to climb rocks,” he said, while bringing his luggage to the bus.
Meanwhile, student Evenlyn Jaskula said she expects the trip to be inspirational. 
“I am looking forward to the ropes course and hiking. I just like being in nature because it is inspiring,” she said.
Science teacher Lorenz Herrmann, who is also Co-Director of the Outdoor Education program, said the key to the trip is helping the students “develop a sense of community and build their teamwork skills.”
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. 
Qin Qin Zheng, whose son is taking part in the trip, said she believes the experience is a great opportunity.
“It will give him a different experience, help him develop his teamwork, and help him grow,” she said.