With their duffels stuffed, they drive two and a half hours into the country on a school bus, sleep in cabins for a week, and cheer their hearts out. It’s sixth grade camp, and those little Wydowners are in need of responsible counselors who keep it safe and fun.
Shelby Sternberg, a senior at CHS, was a sixth grade camp counselor last year. “It was really fun to be able to remember all the stuff I did as a camper and then do it as a counselor,” Sternberg said.
The CHS students in grades 10-12 who are interested in being a sixth grade camp counselors will be interviewed by camp director Ryan Luhning,  Wydown teacher Terri Lawrence, and CHS Principal Louise Losos.
The interviewing will be held in the CHS health room. They start Wednesday, Sept. 9 and will run through Friday, Sept. 11.
These interviews will be like any other job interview. They are looking for all types of students, particularly ones that are outgoing and have fun while still being responsible.
The counselors that are chosen go up to the camp two days before the sixth graders get there, and have two days of intense training. This includes finding your way in the woods at 2 am, sleeping in a barn, and going through a cave on five hours of sleep.
Sixth grade camp takes counselors out of school from Sept. 18 to Sept. 25.
“It was really hard to miss a week of school,” Sternberg said. “In order to be a counselor you have to be willing to work really hard before you leave for camp and when you get back.”
Applications are available in the Student Activities office. These applications need to be filled out by the student before the interview and turned in to either one of the interviewers. A teacher recommendation is also required.
Sixth grade camp starts Sept. 20 and ends Sept. 25. It has become a tradition at Wydown, as it serves as a great team building experience for the sixth graders.
“It’s one of those once in a lifetime experiences,” Luhnig said. “The kids come back with a sense of accomplishment- like they can do anything.”