Camp Report: Senior High, July 23-28
July 31, 2023
From July 23-28, Camp Mennoscah hosted Senior High Week. Program Directors Isaac Entz and Rachel Miller led the camp, which was populated by 10th-12th graders as well as a few college freshmen - taking what is called a “Super Senior” year and getting in one more year of camp.
Senior High week is often the biggest week of the season and this year wasn't an exception to the rule. 74 campers from all over Kansas (and a few from out of state) came down to the river for the last camp of the season.
Jolie, a Senior camper from Hutchinson said that Camp was “the most fun I have had in a long time.” She went on to talk about what she saw as most important - that camp represented a chance to deepen connections with old friends and to make new friends as well. Emma, from Divide, CO, and moving into the dorms at Bethel College in a week or two, agreed with Jolie's assessment, adding that “the staffers are the literal best!!”
There is something special about the last week of camp. For some campers, this is the last week they will attend camp, and often that realization makes the week seem almost sacred. Campers feel close and appreciate the support campers and staffers exhibit for each other. Schyler, Summer Staffer from North Newton, described an activity that took place on Wednesday night, during which a sort of runway or catwalk was created, and people performed by walking down this catwalk while enacting all sorts of scenarios. “They pretended to do things, set up scenes, like pretending to bowl using another camper as the bowling ball. There was creativity to the max.” But more than just the performers there was the crowd, who cheered the performers on and hyped them up.
Gracie, a senior from Overland Park, appreciated how the campers “trust in each other” and also appreciated the “awesome worship.” Jordan, a senior from McPherson, also enjoyed most at camp the evening worship. Jordan liked the music, the energy of everyone, and also mentioned enjoying campfire and a mosh pit - something also mentioned by Lucy, Evelyn, and Hannah, all campers from Newton. Hassan, from Wichita, said the campfire was the best time at camp.
Like Gracie, when asked what was the best part of the week, many campers mentioned worship times. Noah, a senior from Canton, said worship was his favorite part of camp, as did Savannah, a junior from McPherson. Ella, a sophomore from Moundridge, loved worship,how connected people felt, and again mentioned the mosh pit, claiming, “It was amazing!”
Evening Worship received more mentions than anything else that happened during Camp. When asked about the best part of the week, Evelyn, from Newton, mentioned evening worship and the mosh pit, including the detail about glow sticks. Hassan, a junior from Wichita, mentioned campfire as a favorite activity.
Abram, from North Newton, gave high marks to the food at camp as well as worship. Sarah, from Newton, liked the pool, Anna, from Ankeny, IA, liked the pool and the food, as did Hannah, who said the Impressions at lunch were exceptional.
Eric Kautman, senior from Halstead, summed up his week and the weeks of many campers by saying “It was all really good,” including “just talking with people.”
There are many pictures of Senior High Week on the Camp Mennoscah Facebook page - you won’t want to miss those.