The Annual Camping Trip

Every year Leigh High School takes 20 campers with 2 Leigh Staff Members to Camp Harmon in the Santa Cruz Mountains for a 4 day 3 night immersive leadership camp designed to create empathy and encourage emotional communication to make students more aware of their world and the people in it.

We strive to have a diverse selection of campers in attendance each year while maintaining some equity within the club. Campers are selected in the following priority: The Club cabinet has first priority (up to 5 students) but the remaining 15 seats are available for other Leigh students. We begin our selection process with teacher recommendation and any interested student who approaches the club officers or myself (Mr. Castillo in Rm. 74). Interested students should come to one of our club meetings on Wednesday at lunch in Rm. 74. As we are striving to be inclusive we hope to have students from all cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, races, and personalities are welcome; student selection sometimes seek to balance the representation of individuals attending. We are seeking all types of students from the outgoing and student leadership to the quiet, shy, and curious so please inquire and know that you are welcome and accepted here!

This year the trip will take place: Nov. 6 - 9th

Leigh buses our students to Camp Harmon on Friday and the program begins as soon as they get off the bus.

The program runs all day Saturday and Sunday before students are returned to the Leigh Campus on Monday Afternoon.

Camp Harmon offers cabins with beds. Each cabin has its own heater and private bathroom. There are showers on site (although not in the individual cabins) so students don't have to stink unless they want to. There is a fully functioning cafeteria with amazing chefs preparing great food three times a day. Each meal is balanced and between meals students and staff have regular access to fruit, bagels, tea, and morning coffee. We want our students to feel comfortable for their learning modules.

A typical learning module begins with an introduction and a small personal activity. Students are then guided into larger group settings and eventually into whole camp activities. Afterwards students break into small groups and are paired with staff for debriefing activities.

Between each learning module students are given time to participate in team building games and activities, given time to reflect and converse with their fellow campers, eat, and eventually sleep.