Sixth Grade Camp 2011

The Adventures of Sixth Grade Camp

Reprinted from the October 6, 2011, Rossman Roundup
By Sixth Graders G.C., H.S., K.S. and K.W.

The Sixth Grade Class before departing Rossman School

On a rainy Monday morning, the sixth graders prepared for a week at camp in Potosi, Missouri. For weeks, many of us had been looking forward to this day and the many challenges and adventures ahead. Most of the class had never experienced the activities that sixth grade camp would offer. As we said goodbye to our parents and pulled away from Rossman School, the adventures of the oncoming week began...

When we hopped out of the bus, we were greeted by the counselors, and we soon started the mile-long creek walk through icy water that leads to camp. After we settled in, we devoured lunch, then prepared for the “Dot Game,” a difficult team task that would take us four days to complete. Afterward, one group made canvas journals, bound them, and hammered buttons into place. The other group did a series of team building games. When night fell, a night hike led up to a point overlooking the lake, where we had a talk about the Native American medicine wheel.

On Tuesday, half the class was catapulted into the past and the other half found a great adventure at the climbing wall. After climbing the 35-foot wall, we were given the option to do it blindfolded or tied to a friend. The other group learned about the past by making rope and candle holders using non-electric equipment. Before lunch, we made candles. After the sun went down, we had a campfire that included campfire songs, stories, marshmallows and lots of fun and laughter!

On Wednesday, we learned how to handle a canoe. After lashing them together with our ropes to make rafts, we took them out on the water. We had to collect eight streamers and report back to the dock. Then, after lunch, we did something called the Barter Game using pioneer objects we had learned about while at camp. After dinner, we went on our solos. We were alone in the woods, 30 feet away from the next person with only our candles and diaries to keep us company. Although many of us were nervous beforehand, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience.    

Thursday was scheduled to be a five-mile hike, but due to bad weather, we were held back. Because we were not able to go on our hike, the skills we were supposed to learn were taught to us indoors. Compass orienteering and leather branding were two of the skills we learned. On this day, our class finally conquered the Dot Game. We were thrilled when we did! That night, we gathered around a campfire, but this wasn’t just any campfire. At this campfire, we would have the option to sit in a special chair, the Seat of Wisdom, where we could share our thoughts on how we want to finish our sixth grade year.

Although Friday was our last day, there was one more adventure left for us. The Marathon incorporated everything we had learned at camp. We started this challenge with a team-building race, then we conquered the climbing wall. After this, we orienteered through the woods to reach the canoes. We raced around an island and paddled back to shore, quickly hopped out of our boats and sprinted to a giant bell. We then announced to the world that we had completed the challenge.

At Sixth Grade Camp, we learned to trust each other, work as a team and, most of all, we became closer friends with everyone. Because sixth grade is our last year at Rossman, we have to cherish every moment together. We have to continue to keep our special bonds, strengthen our friendships and live this year as our last but best.