Salamanca’s Camp Warrior
Salamanca’s Camp Warrior
Students and teachers join in team bonding exercises prior to start of classes
As a senior in high school, one often spends their free time reflecting on the previous years. It has come to my attention that people (not only high school students) tend to take the present moment for granted. Time does not stop; the world makes revolutions with or without us. That said, Camp Warrior is precisely one of those things I think many students take for granted. Salamanca High School’s Camp Warrior was birthed in my freshman year, a simple concept. The “welcome back” festivities include but are not limited to: local community service, various team-bonding exercises, presentations, and lectures. All take place over a short two-day period, capped off by a large pep assembly in Salamanca High’s newly acquired and renovated Vet’s Park.
When it comes to SHS, that stereotypical “first day back” to school does not exist. Instead, returning students are greeted by rows of staff members and their friends alike. They do not report to their respective classes, rather they all attend each time block of the day by grade (8th, freshman, sophomore, junior, senior). The time blocks encapsulate everything listed above, and while some of us don’t understand the real meaning behind Camp Warrior, it’s one of those little things we take for granted in everyday life. The first and second days go as follows: a class meeting, followed by lectures based in the Seneca culture, healthy relationships, and COVID protocols. Then comes the team bonding exercises - the usual things you hear about like an icebreaker activity or an unorthodox game. Afterwards, there’s class photos taken of each grade. Tie it off with a bit of community service at your local park or nursing home and a pep rally on the second day. This basically sums up the whole camp layout.
The reason we take this type of event for granted is quite simple. We may not enjoy the activities, we may not want to be in school again, and we very well may wish we were anywhere else in the world at that time. The crucial detail we forget is that this allows us to spend time with other people. Say what you will, but humans are social beings that crave connection. Far too often, people of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds let their negative thoughts block out the positive. Maybe the real Camp Warrior was the friends we made along the way. While all schools have their challenges, they deserve credit to balance everything out. Sally High puts a lot of effort into their education and facilities to benefit the students - even if a certain decision may seem a bit misguided. We all trust that the intentions behind the decisions were with our best interests at heart, only good. It’s in this that the student’s vision of Camp Warrior’s team bonding exercises may be skewed, even biased. Familiarity breeds contempt; when one becomes too comfortable in their environment, they develop expectations due to being content. Expectations aren’t always reality, as we all know.
Departing with a piece of basic wisdom, keep an open mind. There’s a reason your mother told you to try your vegetables more than once; you might change your mind. Lots of different angles and perspectives can be viewed if you keep your mind open. Whether you’re at a team bonding exercise for work, school, or thinking about this same topic for whatever reason, remember to weigh the good with the bad. Open your mind, and the world will open before you.