April 3-7, 1978 

Five days in the great outdoors
(From the Clinton Topper April 20, 1978, page 1 and 4)

One hundred and thirteen Clinton Junior High School sixth graders took to the woods for their annual outdoor education program for five days at Camp Upham Woods, Wisconsin Dells. The sixth graders, teachers, a number of parents, and others from the community interested in conservation spent the week outdoors studying conservation and working on programs associated with the outdoors.

During the week students took part in activities designed to sharpen their senses in the woods, in numerous nature hikes on the camp facilities and on Blackhawk Island, and were involved in survival techniques using experiences learned in fire building, orienteering, and first aid. While the many and varied activities all week long left little free time for the students, they still found time for entertainment with craft activities and a magic show with emphasis on conservation performed by school principal Robert Jensen.

One of the most interesting programs during the week was when a dead young female deer was found on a hike path and brought by one of the counselors and the camp naturalist to the camp for a post mortem

While the Clinton Outdoor Education program deals primarily with conservation and activities oriented toward the wise use of our natural resources, a major part of the program objectives is geared toward strengthening interpersonal relationships. Sharing responsibilities and depending upon others throughout the week becomes extremely important for these young people.

Teachers who accompanied the group were Mr. Steve Zahn, Mrs. Dorothy Case, Mrs. Connie Gretschmann, Mr. Clint Warne, Mr. Maynard Jones and principal Robert Jensen. In addition to the teaching staff, other counselors included Mrs. Judi Giddings, Mr. Carl Rindfleisch, Rev. David Johnsan. Mrs. Midge Lucas and Mrs. Patti Splan. Cafeteria Supervisor was Mrs. Cora Bobolz and camp nurse was Mrs. Gert Wolter. Much help throughout the week was given to the Clinton group by resource staff which included Jim Pense, naturalist and Nancy Ratner and Brian Pierce, interns.

A high point of the week's activities came near the end of the week when Mr. Jensen presented the 1978 camp awards that had been displayed the previous week in the school's corridor display case. Plaques were presented to Richard Walker as Most Outstanding Camper; Nadine DeWitt and Tim Maxham as girl and boy Honor Campers, Bucky Meske, Service award: Mike Garvey. Best Sense of Humor: Dan Gunderson Most Conscientious: Brenda Ball. Most Attentive Camper; Jackie McCann Counselor's Award in Outdoor Education: Todd Radtke, Most Mail Received at Camp: Racheal Eisert, Most Dedicated Camper; Brent Gunnik, Most Interested Camper: Steve Walter, Best Overall Achievement in Outdoor Education: Mary Watemlan, Most Enthusiasm: Lynn Napper, Best Matured Camper: Randy Norris, Biggest Appetite at Camp: Sonja Benson, Most Responsible Camper; Ryan Crawford. Most Helpful: Julie Wetmore, Dependability Award: Dawn Ronne, Most Positive Attitude: and Dan Karstetter, Leadership Award.

Plaques patterned after the Seven Dwarfs in Camping were presented to: Jim Thorpe as Doc: Kathy Schiefelbein as Sleepy: Scott Bell as Dopey: Kelly Knack as Sneezy: Albert Bue as Grumpy: Jennifer Sabin as Bashful and to Bob Daniels as Happy.

In addition to plaques honor the students, a number of the youngsters received recognition through certificates. Among those were Best Hiker Awards given to Michael Stier, Tim Maxham, Laura Welch, Bob Daniels, Richard Walker, Jim Warner, John Sparks, Rob Lilburn, Steve Miller, Dawn Ronne, Julie Wetmore, Annette Tober, Greg Holcomb and Mike Garvey.

Best Naturalist Certificates went to Todd Roth, Jon Peich, Jalecn Hacklander, and Jim Thorpe. Best Sportsman Awards were presented to Steve

Logterman, Julie Wetmore, Lynn Napper, Jeff Dolphin, and Nadine DeWitt. Friendship certificates went to Jackie McCann, Racheal Eisert, Kick Keller. Richard Walker, Barbara Roberts. Byron Holston, Michael Suer, Mary Waterman, Penny Wienkes, Tim Hahn, and Dan Huisheere.

Other awards honoring students for their work during tire week went to Jun Warner, Duane Russell, Andy Peterson, David Atkinson. Steve Miller. Jackie Lovesve. Lynn Napper.