For thousands of middle schoolers across the HSE school district, the overnight field trip to Camp Tecumseh is the pinnacle of their 7th grade career. What could be better than three days of fun and friendship in the forest? But the 7thgraders are not the only ones who get to embark on a nature adventure—whether it be to relive memories of their childhood or to help younger students, many high schoolers attend the Camp T field trip as counselors.
Senior Helena Kiely is a veteran Camp T counselor, with 2025 being her third year in attendance.
“I was in seventh grade during COVID, so my Camp T trip got canceled,” Kiely said. “Being a Camp T counselor is a great opportunity to experience the field trip I missed out on when I was younger.”
Kiely looks forward to participating in Camp T counselor traditions every year.
“I love the lip-sync competition and the themed costumes,” Kiely said. “My group has already started practicing for our performance, and I cannot wait to pick out my outfit that matches my group’s letter for Letter Night.”
Being a counselor is certainly fun and exciting, but before going to camp, the counselors must attend weekly training to learn their responsibilities.
Senior Nathan Kominsky, Kiely’s boyfriend, is a first-time counselor this year.
“I was a little nervous [about being a counselor] because I did not know what to expect,” Kominsky said. “But the teachers that run the Camp T program have been so helpful—they taught me everything I needed to know, and now I feel much more prepared.”
Every high schooler is in charge of a group of three to four seventh graders that they lead throughout the trip. In addition to participating in outdoor activities like archery, rock climbing, and archery with their group, the counselors also have to help the students with their lessons.
“We do a little lesson booklet with the kids,” Kiely said. “We usually have a lesson about reading maps, and other things that relate to camping and nature.”
According to Kiely, Camp T is about more than games and campfires—the best part is the friendships that blossom while on the trip.
“In my group, the kids did not know each other at all before getting to Camp T,” Kiely said. “But throughout the trip, they got to know each other better and were all friends by the time they went home. It made me so happy to watch that happen.”
The counselors for this year’s Camp T trip are leaving for the campsite soon, but if you or someone you know is interested in being a counselor next year, check your Class Of Canvas page and your school Outlook for updates about signing up.
