Summer camp is notorious for building new relationships, stepping out of your comfort zone, and having the best time of your life. For young children who dream of going to camp, Camp Wildcat provides a window to all of this and more.
Camp Wildcat is a fictitious camp set on Lake Wallabee. High school students play different characters, all of which one might find at an actual summer camp. Every character has their own interesting personality and backstory.
“It’s an assembly for elementary school students that focuses in on problem solving, getting along, and working together within the setting of a traditional summer camp,” Camp Wildcat supervisor James Vanden Heuvel said.
This new club is the brainchild of Vanden Heuvel, a social worker here at Northview. He has a background in summer camps and works with camps around the area to make sure they are up to code.
“The specific reason was to create a setting that is engaging for students, something they can relate too, and a place that offers an opportunity to use their imagination,” Vanden Heuvel said.
His past experiences working at summer camps have given him insight to the importance and chance of growth in students. Scripts are written by Vanden Heuvel and rehearsed by members once a week during the school day, leading up to a performance.
The cast consists of senior Cal Youngquist, juniors Emma Sherman, Emma VanDyke, Mary Holohan, Ja’Kaurie Kirkland, Kai Czarnopys, Carter Smith, and Peyton Templar and freshmen Madeline Davis, and Amara Grajewski.
The group travels to elementary schools in the district performing skits, teaching young students valuable life lessons.
Each month the elementary schools focus on a different theme. These themes are meant to teach children relevant lessons that are important in their development, the messages are translated into the skits.
Using props and enthusiasm Camp Wildcat skits are a fun and involving way for older students to guide young students in their growth.
