Sixth graders from Clovis Point Elementary spent three days at Camp Koinonia in Cle Elum, learning teamwork, responsibility, and outdoor skills.
Outdoor education has returned to Eastmont, and for sixth graders, it’s become a defining part of their elementary experience. This fall, students from several elementary schools traveled to Camp Koinonia in Cle Elum for a two-night, three-day outdoor adventure. Eastmont staff, parent chaperones, and high school student mentors joined the experience, with each mentor supporting a small group of 7–8 students.
For many students, being outdoors without phones was part of what made it memorable. Clovis Point teacher Belen Casillas shared, “The moment that stuck out the most was the ability for kids to connect to nature. There was a sense of freedom that is not often seen with kids this age because they invest their time in electronics.”
This fall session served as a kickoff bonding experience for participating schools, while the remaining elementaries will attend in the spring as an end-of-year celebration. Although sixth grade is still housed at the elementary level in Eastmont, opportunities like this help students experience the independence and teamwork typical of their middle-school-aged peers.
With guidance from Camp Koinonia staff, students rotated through outdoor education activities such as archery, wildlife ecology, shelter building, candle making, and bouldering. They also practiced responsibility by taking turns bussing and cleaning tables and, without cell phones, focused on teamwork, friendship, and fun.
Clovis Point Elementary Assistant Principal Dominique Coffin highlighted the hands-on learning and teamwork he observed. “I would say the most memorable moment was getting to watch students and parents build their survival shelters. They were so competitive and had some amazing shelters that they were able to build. The teamwork our students utilized, along with the fun they had while building, makes it stand out as one of the most memorable parts of camp.”
Vanessa Perez, office secretary at Clovis Point, also appreciated how camp encouraged students to build connections beyond their usual circles. “There was a lot of team building with kids they weren’t used to being with,” she said. “They got to know more kids, not just their friend group.” She recalled one student returning home excited to tell their mom, “Guess what, Mom? I got invited to sit at a new table today at lunch!”
Casillas noted that the sense of excitement extended well beyond the trip itself. “Camp is definitely worth continuing! I had sixth graders ask how old they had to be in order to return as high schoolers counselors because they had so much fun experiencing something that they normally wouldn't do.”
As for parents who may be nervous about their child being away from home, Casillas offered reassurance: “I would tell parents that their child will have plenty of support. Whether it is a peer, high school counselor, parent, or faculty member. They will have someone that they can talk to about what they are experiencing while they are away from home.”
This marks year three of Eastmont’s revived outdoor camp experience, made possible in part by Washington State’s Outdoor Learning Grant Program. These funds help schools across the state provide hands-on outdoor learning for students of all backgrounds and abilities. It was the first year Eastmont students attended Camp Koinonia, following two successful years at YMCA Camp and Holden Village. Feedback from teachers and students has been overwhelmingly positive, and the excitement continues: Cascade, Grant, and Kenroy sixth graders will head to camp this spring for their own outdoor learning adventure.
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