Summer Camp Recap - July 17

Two messages, one audience. Windsor Strong Academy campers heard from a pair of speakers who shared lessons about friendship and finding your path, both personal and professional.

Jennifer Spencer from the Crime Victims Assistance Center spoke to students about developing healthy friendships, and the role of peer pressure. Negative peer pressure can lead someone to doing something that is uncomfortable. However, there is positive peer pressure, such as being a teammate who inspires or cheers on a member of their team. Or, getting a group of friends to study together to get better grades.

A woman standing in front of a group of middle school students 

“I want the students to recognize that we all have the power to set boundaries in our lives, particularly around friendships,” said Spencer. “We have the right to be safe and comfortable.”

Spencer shared that 88 percent of all youth who use social media witnessed others be mean or cruel on social media sites. However, she also told the campers that 57 percent of bullying stops when a peer intervenes on behalf of the person being bullied.

“I want you to embrace your power to change a situation,” Spencer told the students.  

Tim Strong, a Community Development Manager at Visions Federal Credit Union, shared his career path, one that changed over the years.

“When I went to college, I thought I was going to be a biology teacher. But, in high school, I also enjoyed performing arts,” said Strong. “When I realized biology wasn’t for me, I thought, ‘What else am I good at?’ I realized performing arts could flow really well into public speaking.”

A man standing in front of a group of people in a library 

Strong advised students to be flexible when it comes to their careers, and find passion in what they are doing.

“You might have one thing in mind you want to do. But, have a plan B, have a plan C. Think about what you wan to do and you’ll be successful,” said Strong. 

In other Windsor CSD summer camps, wrestling campers learned a new takedown, turn, escape, reversal, and combat game. Antonio Stanek also earned Camper of the Day for Tuesday.

Basketball players worked on one-on-one drills, but also incorporated three-player passing and defense drills.

“The first two days were individual skill-based. Now, we’re incorporating some team play into it,” said Windsor boys varsity coach Ryan McManus. Weather permitting, Thursday’s final day of basketball camp may include a three-on-three tournament for older campers. 

The 4H and Future Farmers of America campers spent the morning making nylon nets, then took their creations to a creek near the high school multi-purpose athletic field. Campers used their nets to see what they could remove from the creek.

A youn gboy holding up a candy DNA sequence 

Knight Lights campers focused on DNA today. At one station, different jelly beans represented different letters of DNA. 1st and 2nd graders decoded DNA based on the sequence of jelly beans. 3rd and 4th graders created DNA sequences that represent inherited traits they have studied during the week. Tomorrow, Knight Lights campers will study body systems.  

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