It is a Poland Middle School tradition to send students to Camp Fitch YMCA. This year, on May 15, sixth grade students arrived at Camp Fitch, eager for their three day visit. But before the trip commenced, the high school counselors took a trip to the middle school to meet their students. The students were divided into eight groups and paired with a group of two or three high school counselors. Each group had their own individual theme: cow print, the American flag, light blue, dark blue, flames, pink, yellow, or camouflage. After this, the kids played games to learn things about each other. After an hour of meeting their fellow campers and counselors, they were sent home eager for their trip…
When the kids arrived at Camp Fitch, they located their luggage bags and headed to their assigned cabins. The cabins the Poland students stayed in were the Chrisman, Harrison, Mirto, Glen Oak and Russell cabins. Each kid scrambled to find their bunk buddy and get settled in. They were then introduced to the dining hall and brief about their activities ahead of them.
The traditions of Camp Fitch have remained the same for years. Breakfast and dinner began with flag raising/lowering. Each meal began with a moment of silence to allow those to practice their beliefs prior to eating. Respect and good behavior is strictly enforced throughout the campers’ stays.
The students engaged in a variety of activities: such as survival skills, lake study, pioneer crafts, horsemanship, canoeing, rock wall climbing, and so on. These activities spanned the majority of the camper’s stay at Camp Fitch.
On the last night, Camp Fitch workers always hold one tradition. A large campfire pit surrounded by an amphitheater style seating arrangement hosts all campers, counselors, parent chaperones, and staff. The head staff members then perform a variety of chants, dances, and “follow along songs” — a specific type of song where the crowd repeats the song leader’s words and dances.
Each head staff member performed their own mix of songs and chants, having the campers follow along for about half an hour. By the end of all, the yelling and chanting, the campers were clocked in and the bulk of their trip had been completed.
Overall Camp Fitch is a wonderful experience for students of all ages.
As high school counselors, we look forward to the kids we will meet next year at camp, and we hope this remains a tradition in Poland Schools for many years to come.
