Boarding a series of buses, over 32 upperclassmen embarked on their volunteering journey to Camp Lakewood, where they served as counselors for Parkway West Middle’s Outdoor School Program near Potosi, Mo. Counselors went at two different times in the year, each session consisting of four days and three nights at the camp, and were responsible for sixth-grade students throughout their stay.  Each cabin leader supervised eight to 12 students.  

Outdoor school sponsor Eddie Mattison coordinates the annual stay and hopes volunteers gain confidence in their leadership and communication through the experience.

 “[Counselor’s] primary responsibility is to help foster the cabin community, encourage group leadership and help develop environmental stewardship. Cabin leaders must act in a manner that is consistent with the camp code of conduct, be patient with others, [be] empathetic to all students, be enthusiastic and possess a positive attitude. They are expected to assist with classes, maintain the group’s cabin and actively participate in special events, camp activities and games,” Mattison said.

Across their four days at camp, the cabin leaders were tasked with many responsibilities.

 “[My role was] making sure the kids were safe, getting the kids to where they needed to be on time, and making sure no one gets hurt. I had to be very patient with them because it was often a struggle of time management,” senior Maddi Lang said. 

However, the experience is beneficial for the leaders too, allowing them to connect with younger students and represent the role of authority to look up to. After taking her students through activities like horseback riding and card games, senior MJ Surtin got to know her campers at a deeper level after being a counselor for two years. 

“I brought a lot of card games to keep [campers] busy, and those were always the best nights. It [was] the most fun because everyone was comfortable with each other,” Surtin said. “I like making connections with younger students because I like that I can be a role model to them and be someone they look up to. I am making long-term connections with people and getting to know, not just people my age, but everybody. I’m hoping that every year [at camp], I can make new friends and inspire more kids.”

Additionally, many current cabin leaders were inspired by their own sixth-grade camp experiences to come back. After being a cabin leader for two years, senior David Hawiger has formed a treasury of great memories. 

“I liked sixth-grade camp when I was in sixth grade. I met many new people I wouldn’t have ever known before. It helped my social skills, so I wanted to [become a cabin leader] to go full circle with it,” Hawiger said. “Horseback riding [was the most memorable part of camp] because it’s silent. You’re just with the horse. You get to appreciate nature [and] look at everything and you’re vibing.” 

Also inspired by her own experience at sixth-grade camp, Lang was influenced to become a cabin leader after seeing the impact a camp counselor could have on campers.

“When I was in sixth-grade camp, I had this counselor who helped me get through homesickness, and she was amazing. She included everyone in our cabin and I wanted to be that influence to other kids,” Lang said.

In the end, camp leaders must spend all day with their campers, from breakfast to dinner. Therefore, when considering applications to the sixth-grade camp, Mattison looks for mature judgment, necessary to escort students around the Camp Lakewood ground safely. Leaders must be a positive role model to the students at all times.

“It can be challenging to lead a group of middle school students you are meeting for the first time, [especially] if the cabin leaders are unwilling to leave their comfort zone and lead. My favorite part of being a coordinator is offering an experience for all sixth-grade students to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the environment. We hope the middle school students see that a cabin leader role would benefit their journey and, one day, apply for themselves,” Mattison said. “Students who wish to be cabin leaders [now] can apply online later this spring. An email will be sent for the 2024-25 outdoor school season in early April.”