12th Grade Bonding at Camp Schodack
By Marcos Betancourt Jr.
The Class of 2025 began their last overnight trip to Camp Schodack, held on September 25-26th. The two-way getaway in Nassau, New York was an opportunity for the seniors to strengthen their bonds with classmates and teachers, setting a positive tone for the year ahead.
After a scenic bus ride through New York City and Upstate, the 12th Grade arrived at Camp Schodack and was greeted by a diverse group of welcoming camp counselors, many of whom originated from different parts of the world, such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Mexico.
The seniors were split into groups and escorted to the white-paneled cabins with wooden interiors, accommodating bunk beds, bathrooms, and charging outlets. Once settled, the students visited different cabins from other groups and marveled at the vast green space that took over the campgrounds.
Lunch featured chicken tenders and fries, which fueled the students for the upcoming team-building activities hosted by the counselors. Divided into advisories, students participated in activities such as Steal the Bacon and A-Frame exercises. However, the biggest standout was the Swinging Rope challenge, where students had to swing themselves onto a wooden platform without leaving anyone behind. Students struggled, assisted other classmates onto the wooden platform, and completed the challenge with teamwork and determination.
Later, the 12th Grade gathered at “The Garden,” a large indoor space that housed a basketball court inside, before heading off to discover the variety of activities within the camp. Students embarked on an adventure, from riding ATVs around a track, to sliding down a 100-foot water slide, climbing a 40-foot rock climbing wall, and swimming in the pool. Marcin Li said archery was his favorite activity while Marcus Soto Powell said “playing tennis with Matteo” was his highlight.
Even when it started to pour, students still had a blast interacting with one another from playing tennis in the rain to playing basketball indoors. Others relaxed inside the cabins, chatting and sharing a good laugh.
East Side 12th graders riding quad bikes.
As the sky of Nassau became dark, the excitement continued. Schodack’s Taco Night Dinner was a blast for the group. The night raged on as students sang their hearts out at Karaoke, with classic hits like “Call Me Maybe,” “Party in the USA.” and “Mamma Mia.” Senior Jesse Rafaeli said this was his favorite part of the trip. “It felt electric in the room and I liked the vibes. There were a lot of people who expressed their hidden talents.”
The liveliness continued inside the camp’s gym, where some seniors worked out on treadmills, lifting weights, or continuously punching at the boxing bag. The night closed with a classic campfire gathering at the back of the campsite. Although the rain was pouring a little heavier than usual, students enjoyed roasting marshmallows near the fire and creating delicious s’mores. Additionally, students were asked to write their goals and ambitions for this senior year on a piece of paper; throwing it into the fire to represent good luck.
Curfew struck at 11:30 PM, but students would still be up late to chat. The air felt like it was almost below freezing, with students having to engulf themselves in multiple layers. Soon, one by one, students began to go to sleep, preparing for the next day.
The sun was rising at around 6:00 AM, but the day began with a heartfelt breakfast of waffles, fruits, and bread before all students gathered in the Garden. Everyone was extremely tired yet more activities commenced. First, a relay race where advisories competed to knock down a stack of cups by throwing tennis balls. Staff and counselors cheered, motivating students to give it their all.
The next activity was a grade-wide dodgeball match. Students were split into two teams based on the results of the first activity. The basic rules of dodgeball applied, but there was an exciting twist the counselors introduced; each side had three cones with a tennis ball on top and teams could win by either getting the opposing team out or knocking down all three cones from the opposing side.
As the game started, players sprinted towards the dodgeballs, bombarding both sides. Dodgeballs were getting thrown at high speeds, curving towards players unpredictably. Students were dodging, ducking, and weaving trying not to get hit, while others were catching incoming balls and beaming them back with the same intensity. The Garden echoed in laughter, banter, and cheers as students joyfully competed against each other. Highlights, from incredible throws to remarkable catches, sparked a lot of excitement and moments that would be engraved in the student’s memories. Even eliminated players were cheering on their fellow teammates, smiling and making jokes, fostering a sense of unity within the grade.
The match ended with energized students and excitement. The Camp Schodack Trip for the 12th Grade was an unforgettable experience to connect with classmates and teachers, setting a positive tone for the last upcoming school year.