One of the most important elements of the multifaceted experience that comprises being a Schuler Scholar occurs not only while school is not even in session, but also when students are first selected to become Schuler Scholars.
Camp Manito-wish, a YMCA camp located in Boulder Junction WI, offers a leadership experience designed especially for the Schuler Scholar Program. The Program’s newly selected scholars and thrust into a ten day series of challenging and stretching situations wherein each scholar learns about his/her peers and fellow scholars and perhaps most importantly about himself/herself.
Round Lake High School Senior, Grecia Lira returned to camp this summer as a student leader with the Schuler Scholar Program. Lira reflects that “it’s amazing how in a few days you get to know more about [yourself] than before”. This insight, given by a returning scholar is echoed by Guenevere Figueroa, a newly accepted Schuler Scholar at Round Lake High School. “Over this experience I learned a lot about myself and the qualities I possess to be a true leader and what I need to work on to be a better leader” said Figueroa as she reflected on one of the most challenging aspects of the in-camp experience for herself. Figueroa described the most intimidating part of the high ropes course at camp:
I believe the activity that put me in my challenge zone the most was the pamper pole…It is a huge, intimidating, narrow pole that shot up about 25 feet in the air and swayed as the slightest wind blew. As you can tell I was quite scared even looking at it. The objective? Climb up the pole, stand on top, jump off and ring a bell hanging roughly 4 feet away. I watched many of my team members attempt this menacing pole, putting forward their best, and still not able to complete it.
Camp Manito-wish firmly advocates what they call “challenge by choice”, which means that each person only takes the challenges that they choose to confront. For Figueroa, this challenge was one that she knew she wanted to choose. How does the challenge end for Figueroa? With her team on the ground, cheering her on, she approached her challenge:
Climbing up I could feel the lactic acid forming I'm my legs making them tremble. At the top, ready to push myself up into standing position I could hear my team cheering me on. To calm myself down I quietly sang, and at the end of the verse I was standing on the pole. Trying not to look down I could hear everyone yelling, "Jump Guen!" Without aiming I jumped and miraculously rang the bell! I'm still proud of my and my group’s collective accomplishments. We all pushed our limits and strayed from our comfort zones.
On that day and everday at camp, this young lady learned a great deal about herself and her own capabilities. And what is her reaction to the difficult and intimidating situation that she encountered? “I loved camp Manito-wish and can't wait to return as a senior.” One of the reasons that the Schuler Scholar Program requires that all Schuler Scholars attend camp Manito-wish, in addition to each scholar’s discovery of their own leadership abilities, is to encourage a bond with and commitment to one another as they accept the challenge to undergo the program’s rigorous college preparation process over the next three years. Each scholar chose this challenge and each one must personally complete it; however, they do not need to do the work alone. Surrounded by a network of parents and Schuler staff members, the scholars have another invaluable resource. Just as Guen’s team was yelling “Jump Guen!” as she stood on top of the Pamper Pole, so do each one of the scholars have a support system of peers as they progress through the next three years. As Grecia Lira said in response to what impacted her most, “you learn how to work together and by the end of the program you are family. |
