For the past three years, the transition from elementary school to Warrensburg Jr.-Sr. High School has looked a little different for incoming 7th graders. Instead of starting the year solely in the classroom, students head to Camp Echo Lake, where they take on activities like rock climbing and ziplining while learning about their teachers, teamwork, and, of course, each other.

The idea for this program came from Camp Inspire, an initiative that brings together students from area schools to develop leadership skills. Supported by the Warrensburg Student Enrichment Foundation, which is dedicated to providing students with meaningful enrichment opportunities that benefit the entire community, students are given the chance to grow as leaders both in school and their community.

Given the success of Camp Inspire, Laurie Rinke Langworthy, Vice President of the Board of Education and co-owner of Camp Echo Lake, began discussions with teachers and staff about how to ease the elementary-to-secondary transition. The goal was to create opportunities for students to build relationships and confidence during the very first days of school at Warrensburg Jr.-Sr. High School.

“We want to help the kids and teachers interact in a different way, outside the classroom,” Langworthy explained. “These experiences challenge students to step out of their comfort zones and realize their potential when they just try.”

Adalyn Seeley, a 7th grader who attended Camp Inspire this summer, described one takeaway that she carried into orientation, “We say our name loud and proud each morning so you can be confident about life.”

Jessica Mossing, school counselor for grades 7–9, has seen the impact firsthand. 

“This gives us a chance to see students interacting with each other in a new setting. It’s amazing to get to know them while sharing these experiences,” she said.

Teachers have also noted that the lessons from camp translate back to the classroom. 

“If a student is having a hard time in math, teachers will remind them, ‘Remember the rock wall? You pushed through that challenge, let’s push through this one too,’” Langworthy shared.