Camp Bernie Adventures
Recently, Student Council took its members to YMCA Camp Bernie for a three day overnight trip to build leadership and communication skills through team building exercises. This trip was organized by a senior, Erika Pereira, along with two of the Student Council advisers, Mr. Carey and Ms. Torres. They organized this trip to discuss Student Council’s future with the members and to teach their students about the importance of teamwork. Everyone was grouped in teams and each day we were tasked with two different hands-on activities that required us to communicate and encourage one another. All the girls stayed in one cabin and the boys stayed in a another. A few of the activities included hiking, an escape room, and the vertical playpen. Some of these activities were very challenging, and others required us to be more open minded. When it was time to eat, we all ate family style; some of us were assigned to be waiters and we sat at a round table with our team and ate as a family. The workers at Camp Bernie were also very nice and helped us learn a lot through the activities.
As one of the members that was able to attend, it was honestly a surreal experience and I am very happy that I was able to go. I learned a lot about my team and myself through the activities that we were tasked with. I realized how quiet we really were when it came to working as a team and that we communicate and work well with each other. We never designated a leader among ourselves when it came to accomplishing the tasks and instead, we shared the responsibility together. I can confidently say that we became closer as a team and as friends and I didn’t even think that was possible considering how close we already are. It was freezing and we really underestimated the weather when packing, but we thoroughly enjoyed everything else about the trip. Whenever we had time to hang out, we would play board games late at night and were barely on our phones. We created new memories, not only with each other, but with the chaperones that joined us as well.
On Friday night, all the Student Council members and chaperones were called in for a meeting to discuss future events and positions that need to be filled in next year, after the seniors graduate. We all voted on how we can make the events more successful and the events that we would want to continue on. The advisors really focused on how important it is to work together in order for events and plans to be prosperous. It was eye opening for me personally because it showed me how much effort goes into planning some of these events that goes unseen by others.
I really am grateful for the new experiences and memories I was able to create at Camp Bernie and encourage others to attend next year and be a part of clubs like Student Council. I made new friends there and made the friendships I already have stronger. I am also thankful to all of the chaperones and advisers that have been there for us and made this trip possible for us. Student Council is a club that cares and listens to their members and always strive to turn ideas into reality. Camp Bernie taught me a lot and I hope this tradition continues on for many years.
Special Thanks to Erika, Karina, Mr. J. Carey, Mr. T. Carey, Ms. Torres, Mr. Aguiar, Ms. DeBaun, and Ms. Nardone for making this trip possible for Student Council!
