Scicon is a well-known science camp in the Central Valley where students go to interact with nature and learn about the world around them in a deeper way. High school students are allowed to be cabin counselors for the kids. I myself have taken on that opportunity, and I want to share what to expect and what I wish I had known before attending.

By: Serenity Ceja

Have you ever considered being a Scicon counselor and embarking on the journey to demonstrate responsibility by serving as a cabin counselor and helping staff on trails? Well, I have been a part of this journey, and here’s everything you need to know. 

I have been a Scicon counselor twice, and from my experience, it is an amazing way to earn community service hours and just get away from the city for a while to enjoy nature and collaborate with other high schoolers your age on how to show your responsibility and leadership.

The first time I went to Scicon, I was clueless about what to do, but I figured it out on the way. I was excited, but also scared because I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into. However, the Scicon staff were very helpful and helped me learn my way around the rules and requirements needed to be successful as a counselor. Before I even get into what you should expect. Let me fill you in on what you should pack.

Before going to Scicon, you’ll be given a checklist on what you should bring, as some things are optional, and others aren’t. I’d recommend bringing blankets instead of a sleeping bag for more comfort. This is just my personal opinion, but I feel blankets do keep you warmer at night.

One of the optional choices is to bring a camera. The first time I went as a counselor, I did not bring a camera, which I highly regret, because I didn’t get to capture the memories I wanted to. The second time I went as a counselor, I did bring a camera, but it broke as soon as I got there due to my poor packing skills. So be sure your luggage is packed correctly. However, I was still able to gain memories that a picture couldn’t even hold the value of.

Make sure to pack extra clothes because often you’ll find your pants getting dirty from the natural environment. Also, double-check you have everything that’s on the checklist. Often, this includes sunscreen, bug spray, clothes, hygiene, and, if you take medication, that too. However, if you do end up forgetting something, you really need your scicon village coordinator will often have it for you.

Now, I’m not saying to forget your things on purpose, but they can supply you with what you need if necessary, but please double-check you have everything before shutting your suitcase, because the resources they have are limited and only meant for people who truly forgot to bring something. They have everything you need to survive your stay at Scicon.

To be a scicon counselor, you have to have good attendance and grades above a C and no behavioral reports. This is important because the parents of the children you will be monitoring will be counting on somebody responsible to take care of their kids while in the cabin.

Speaking of responsibility, you must take being a counselor very seriously because it’s not just some fun way to get out of school; it’s a way to show responsibility. You’re even graded on how you do as a counselor, which is then sent to your school for them to review. Not being responsible isn’t the only part of being a scicon counselor.

It is important to always participate while being a counselor, not because you want a good grade by the end of your week stay, but because you are a role model for the kids and want them to follow what they see. You want them to participate to have the best possible experience at Scicon and make it memorable for them.

You should expect to be singing a lot of songs and doing a lot of traditional claps and chants that Scicon has. In my opinion, they are really fun, and it just reminds me of when I was in sixth grade. You will be participating in activities like folk dancing and cabin cheer off. New games such as Campfire and Astronomy Night. All were exceptionally amazing, but my favorite was definitely campfire.

Being a scicon counselor, you are given 100 community service hours for your week’s stay. During this week, you are given one homework time that is about two hours. This may not seem like a lot, but the Scicon staff allows you to ask for more homework time if needed. During homework time, you are allowed to use your Chromebook, and if you really need your phone to complete an assignment or log in to your computer, you will be given it.

Before you get onto Scicons’ grounds, they will take all electronics and chargers and keep them in a safe place for you, because it wouldn’t be fair to the students who weren’t able to bring their electronics to see their role model with any. Also, when going to Scicon, it’s like you’re trying to connect to a whole other world that kids don’t really surround themselves with. You are face-to-face with nature everywhere you go, and amazing habits like recycling and being conservative with every resource.

Rules still apply as a counselor. If you went to Scicon in sixth grade, you’ll probably remember the dress code, the use of language, and behavior; all rules still apply because you are the role model. You must go into being a counselor, knowing how to act and the consequences that come with not acting upon the rules that you signed to follow.

Again, before being a Scicon counselor, you’re given this packet of rules to follow. Like not bringing electronics into the cabin or even on the property beyond check-in and staying in dress code. There is a list of items you are not allowed to bring, and you must follow that rule. Not for your convenience, but for the student’s safety.

One thing I really wish I knew before going to Scicon is that shirts must be above your collarbone and only long pants with no rips. I wasn’t aware that shirts had to be above the collarbone, which kind of left me in a bad situation when I realized my luggage was only holding two shirts of that matter. However, the Scicon staff were really accommodating and let me borrow some appropriate shirts. So if you plan on going to Scicon, pack correctly.

Now these rules are not in place to make your scicon experience bad, but for your safety and enjoyment. If you are a senior, junior, or sometimes even a sophomore, you too can be a scicon counselor and make a difference in these kids’ lives, creating memories they will remember forever. Be responsible and involved in your community. Talk to Veronica Velasco in the Redwood High School office.

Serenity Ceja
+ posts
 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,