Scicon: Back to Life

As most students may know, Scicon is a special time for sixth graders in the Central Valley to learn about the environment, ecosystem, and nature outside of the classroom.

Unfortunately due to COVID-19, Scicon was unable to happen last year. Fortunately, now Scicon has been up and running for two weeks. All the staff is working hard to get back to the way Scicon was before by ensuring the safety in doing so.

Last week, August 30 to September 3, Shannon Ranch and Riverway Elementary were able to go and experience Scicon for themselves.

There are new procedures in order to make sure everyone is safe while experiencing the amazing times at Scicon. Students are required to wear masks when they are in a building, but are able to remove it once they are outside. Students were not to serve themselves food, but the counselors distributed it instead.

Courtesy of Mrs. Weddle, Shannon Ranch teacher

Though some things have changed, the meaning of Scicon hasn’t- Science and Conservation.

This is still what Scicon stands by, and the people in charge hope that by the end of the week, all students will become aware of how important it is to care for the environment they are living in.

High school upperclassmen students were brought in to become counselors for the sixth graders.

Last week, Scicon had counselors from El Diamante, Visalia Charter, Golden West, and Redwood High School.

As counselors, they came together to be good role models for the younger kids on the Scicon campus.

Redwood student, Karisa Guajardo, ’23 decided to become a counselor “to help give the sixth graders a great experience.”

“The stress of leaving school for a whole week” made Guajardo hesitant to go at first but, “it was totally worth it,” she says.

Guajardo definitely recommends other students to go because “it was just too much fun and [she] had a great time.”

One of the other counselors from Redwood, Pricila Cenobio, ’23 shared a similar experience being at Scicon as a counselor.

Being a counselor “was definitely a big responsibility having to watch over sixth graders,” but Cenobio is “so down to do it again,” she says.

Cenobio created a bond with the sixth graders so much that she, “started crying when [she] had to leave.”

Counselors are individual students who can be trusted enough to look after sixth grade students, whether it was in a cabin, on a trail, during a meal time, or just simply making sure they are listening during lectures.

“Remember- those Scicon kids may remember you forever…” says Redwood High School Assistant Principal, Mrs. Barba-Tepper in an email she sent checking in on the counselors.

“I can still remember my counselor to this day,” Barba-Tepper says.

She adds that she “really encourages students to go especially since we [Redwood] missed out going last year.”

Scicon has multiple advantages; you can earn volunteer hours, it looks good on college applications, and it gives students the opportunity to potentially discover a new passion that Barba-Tepper talks about.

CONSERVATION PLEDGE:

I pledge as an American

To save and conserve

The natural resources

Of the Earth. Its soils,

Minerals, forests, water,

and wildlife.

John Muir Lodge at Scicon
Courtesy of Mrs. Weddle, Shannon Ranch teacher

Walking into the cabin for the first time, students were in awe, and anyone could see how excited they were to be there. During the meals, some of the students were talking about what trail they went on, how it went, and what they learned.

These students knew how truly blessed they were to be at Scicon, and even being cut short a day, they made the most out of it.

Despite all the necessary changes, it was still a typical week at Scicon prior to Covid. Everyone still woke up early to get ready for the Flag Ceremony at 7:00 am. Students still went to trails with their trail group, and they still held night-time activities. And one can never forget the iconic, and traditional songs and claps.

Throughout the week, students, counselors, and staff spent lots of time singing songs, and having a blast.

For any high school upperclassmen that may be interested in becoming a Scicon counselor, look out for future opportunities and information from your counselors or principals on how to get out there.