Twenty Ottumwa High School students went back to fifth grade camp.
The high school juniors and seniors, along with 80 students, teachers, and guidance counselors, will spend Monday and Tuesday at Outdoor Camp. Fifth graders will attend nine 40-minute sessions designed to expand their knowledge of nature. The camp experience, held annually at Forest Lake Camp, is for fifth graders at Eisenhower and Horace Mann Schools. The 20 counselors are Outdoor Camp alumni.
Counselors work in groups of four, two boys and two girls. Each group is responsible for approximately 15 fifth graders. The elementary students will learn about archery, first aid, orienteering, art, shelter building, sensing nature, fishing, fitness, and animal identification. Session leaders are teachers, retired teachers, or community volunteers.
“I’m excited to experience it again,” said Allyson Grooms, an OHS senior.
One student was excited about the art project, stepping stones with the student’s hand print. And everybody talked about their favorite session, “Sensing Nature,” which includes a blind-folded nature hike. A few wondered if anything had changed.
Sydney Cormeny doesn’t like bugs and Alexis Nelson is afraid of the dark. Both will have to address their fears head on. “I will have a flashlight with me at all times,” said Nelson.
While they are in charge of a group of students, camp is also about having fun. “I get to be a child again for two days,” said Mia Calcaterra, a senior.
One group might get confused on whether their counselor is Chris or Alec. This is the second year identical twins Chris and Alec Hensley have been counselors. Last year they were not in the same group but confused Principal Warnecke. “She thought we were one person,” said Chris Hensley. “I like the fun of camp, making memories, and remembering everything I did as a fifth grader.”
Principals Dana Warnecke and Jody Williams were busy getting counselors organized and preparing for students to arrive after lunch today. “I appreciate the relationships the high school counselors establish in such a short time,” Warnecke said. “Fall camp provides a springboard to learning throughout the year.”
High school counselors include: Jarrett Blunt, Jarhett VanEngelenhoven, Sydney Cormeny, Elle Weilbrenner, Henry Altfillisch, Gage Bowling, Kate VanNest, Alexis Nelson, Justin Budan, Hunter Nelson, Hannah Enloe, Dakota Garrison, Alec Hensley, Chris Hensley, Mia Calcaterra, Ally Grooms, Bailey Gullion, Lance Parker, Ashley Gruwell, and Gabby Bookin-Nosbisch.
“I want to make sure they have as good a time as we had as fifth graders,” said Hunter Nelson.
