OCS students develop leadership skills at Sunset Lake Camp

||| FROM ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL |||

Orcas Christian School high school and middle school students returned Thursday from a week at Sunset Lake Camp in Wilkeson, Washington, where they joined students from several small Adventist schools for activities focused on leadership, worship, teamwork and personal growth.

OCS high school students arrived Sunday and helped prepare the camp before welcoming middle school students from OCS, Skagit Adventist School, Cypress Adventist School and Lewis County Adventist School. Throughout the week, the high school students served as camp leaders, helping younger students navigate the campground, participate in activities and step outside their comfort zones.

Middle school students arrived Tuesday evening and spent Wednesday and Thursday taking part in activities designed to challenge them physically, mentally and socially. Activities included a zip line and rock wall, cardboard boat building and racing, frog dissections, geocaching and survival skills.

Students also participated in team-building challenges that required communication, cooperation and teamwork to complete.

Each day included worship, activities, meals in the camp cafeteria and time for students to socialize and build relationships with peers from other schools. The experience provided opportunities for students to grow mentally, physically, socially and spiritually while developing new friendships.

For OCS freshman Ben Millen, meeting students from other schools was one of the highlights of the week. “My favorite part of the camp was making new friends with some of the students at Lewis County Adventist School,” Millen said.

Fellow freshman Sophia Rivera enjoyed the opportunity to take on a leadership role with younger students. “One of my favorite parts was helping motivate and push my middle school group to get outside of their comfort zone and do more for those around them,” Rivera said.

The Sunset Lake Camp experience capped a busy September for OCS students and provided an opportunity to strengthen relationships across the participating schools. Students returned to Orcas Island with new friendships, experiences and lessons they can carry into the remainder of the school year.