January Term class experiences Camp Michindoh
FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Huntington, Ind.-Huntington University students spent two weeks in January at a camp in Michigan gaining experience working with upper-level elementary aged children from diverse backgrounds. Dr. Bill Bordeaux, professor of chemistry, took 16 Huntington University students enrolled in the Outdoor Environmental Education for Children class to a camp in southern Michigan called Camp Michindoh. At Camp Michindoh, the students participated in a residential program geared toward fifth and sixth graders from Michigan, Ohio and Indiana schools.
"Everything in this camp is done with Christ in mind and designed to be done in such a way as to be an enjoyable learning experience for the kids," Bordeaux said.
The challenges the Huntington students experienced included being cabin leaders for 10 to 12 elementary students, being cooperating adults in classroom and laboratory settings with camp staff, instructing team-building classes and working in teams of two to teach classes.
"Throughout the entire two weeks, we were able to be so involved with the kids teaching them, learning along with them and getting to know them," said Jordan Wolf, a sophomore broadcasting major from Cherry Hill, N.J. "Getting involved in the classes they were in or square dancing with them really allowed me to get to the kids on their level."
Not only did the students teach in the classrooms, but they had the opportunity to take the children into a real nature setting where they taught the children about survival. The children learned what to do if they become lost from their group, how to build shelters out in the woods and how to make fire without using matches or lighters.
"It was a fun time for me because I got to share some of my knowledge of the outdoors with the kids and helped them with their projects," said Wolf.
The students have now returned back to Huntington for their second semester, hoping to put to use the skills they learned at Camp Michindoh.
"I hope our students came away with a sense of accomplishment, new purpose to make a difference in someone else's life and an appreciation for excellence," said Bordeaux.
Huntington University's January Term 2007 offered eight off-campus and 25 on-campus classes spanning two-and-a-half weeks, giving students a chance to delve into a single subject in-depth. January Term began on Jan. 8 and ended Jan. 24.
