Templeton Eighth Graders Team Building at Camp Whitcomb

More than 400 eighth graders from Templeton Middle School spent four days at Camp Whitcomb/Mason in Hartland last week, participating in outdoor activities designed to build connections before high school.

Students canoed, shot archery, cooked over campfires and completed orienteering challenges across the 300-acre Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee property. Dozens of staff members and parent volunteers accompanied the students.

School Counselor Steve Gross said the annual field trip focuses on team-building and problem-solving exercises. "In each activity area, students are able to spend time with fellow students that they might not normally have class with or socialize with," Gross said.

Eighth grader Chase Orr said the experience helped him connect with classmates. "A lot of people who were in my group I really don't share classes with," Orr said. "Through this experience, we've been able to grow closer and understand each other more."

Eighth grader Ayla Tetting connected with students she had never spoken to before. "One of my favorite things was archery," she said. "Even though I wasn't good at it, it was fun to learn a new skill."

Parent chaperone Kristina Kender attended after bringing her older child two years ago. "I had to come back because it's such a great experience," Kender said. "These are memories that I will cherish and I know the students will cherish too."