Senior learn to trust each other and God

At the end of August, the senior class of 2020 left for a highly anticipated four-day trip to Glacier View Ranch in the mountains. Senior Survival has been a tradition at Campion for many years, and a key moment for bonding. The theme for the weekend was trusting in others, yourself, and God. The journey up the mountain was challenging because the bus only took us so far, and then we had to take our packs for the week and hike the remainder of the distance. Once we made it to the campsite, our next challenge was making a shelter. We were provided two tarps for rain protection, stakes, and twine. Many chose to sleep in hammocks but some were brave enough to sleep on the ground. 

Each day consisted of many challenging team-bonding activities. Our class was split into three groups which separated typical friend groups. The activities were challenging mentally and physically. They required us to put trust in our teammates. Each night after the activities were completed, a campfire was built and everyone gathered around. A short worship was given by our chaplain Mrs. Eickmann, and then the time was given over to the class for discussion. Some nights we would go around and tell funny stories, or we would share our greatest struggle. Even people who were typically quiet opened up. We repeated the saying, “What is said on the mountain, stays on the mountain.” Grant, a four year senior, shares, “Everyone was open and honest. We had such a good time telling stories, laughing and crying together, and getting closer to each other and to God. It’s definitely something I’ll never forget.” 

For some students, there was one activity that was dreaded. The trust fall is a group activity where one person climbs onto a rock, while the rest of the group stands in a line ready to catch him or her. Mrs. Eickmann sat at the top and prepared the person who would be falling. She encouraged us to let go of one of our fears and give it to God. For some it was easy to let go and fall, but for others it wasn’t so easy. Ashley Halvorson, a four-year senior, shared, “My favorite part of the trust fall was seeing the trust being built in our class. When it was my group’s turn, there was one person who was scared to fall and everyone began encouraging her. It was silence and then all of the people started yelling things such as, ‘we believe in you,’ ‘we will catch you’ and then she fell. It was inspiring to see the positive impact our class can make on people when we work together.” The entire class participated in doing the trust fall, thanks to the encouragement of the groups.

Senior Survival was such an amazing opportunity to get away from the stresses of school and even personal stresses. Leaving everything behind and focusing on bonding with our class is what made the time so special. Getting to hear from everyone and their stories is something the senior class will never forget. The bonds formed in the mountains will continue to strengthen as the senior class continues their last year of high school. Graduation may be harder because of the new friends made, but I am sure none of the class would change that.

Megan Michalenko, Senior, Student Editor
Photos by Dean Helm, Caleb Wehling, and Kayla Gonzalez