Throughout the month of October, Camp Ohiyesa in Holly was taken over by sixth-graders from Sashabaw Middle School. The students were seperated into five groups, each attending the camp at separate times starting Oct. 5.
The annual program has students staying at camp for three days and two nights. The camp features a variety of outdoor activities for students. The days were packed, with students waking up at 7 a.m. and the final program of the day ending around 9:30 p.m.
Teacher Becky Cotten has been involved with the camp for several years, and said camp offers students a different atmosphere which she finds both educationally and socially beneficial. In particular, Cotten said tactile learners can greatly benefit from the interactive nature of lessons.
Dylan Troscak, 11, said her favorite part was studying the camp bog. As part of the camps outdoor education program, students visited wetlands to study the natural settings of the area. Troscak said she and other students jumped on a thick section of moss, causing the ground underneath to move in a way similar to a waterbed without breaking the ground. Troscak said the expereience was really interesting.
As part of the team course program, students had to work together as they made their way through a series of challenges. Troscak said one challenge required them to walk across a wire suspended in the air while holding onto a rope for support. Other students were waiting below to catch a student who might lose their balance.
‘It wasn’t very high, but it was kind of creepy,? Troscak said.
Ashley Barney, 11, said her favorite team challenge was a role-playing game about wolves. Students held onto a string to stay together as a pack of wolves, while counselors howled off in the distance. The students had to find their leaders by following the sound of their calls.
When the time came for fun and games, Barney said she really liked the zipline, even if it was a little scary at first. ‘Once you get going you have so much fun,? she said.
In addition to volunteering parents and chaperones, the camp was staffed by the Detroit Metropolitan YMCA, which owns Camp Ohiyesa.