Each summer, incoming freshman at The Ohio State University-Mansfield have the opportunity to interact with one another, while identifying and enhancing their skill-sets, by participating in Camp Hetuck.
Camp Hetuck is a two-day leadership camp designed for incoming OSU-Mansfield students who are interested in becoming involved in college. The students participate in various team building and leadership-developing workshops and activities, and they get to experience the college setting before the school’s official commencement by staying in the Molyet Village Apartments overnight.
“It’s an opportunity for students to preview the resources and people on campus, to develop as leaders, and to get connected to the various student organizations,” stated Coordinator of Student Engagement at OSU-Mansfield, Elise Riggle.
This year’s camp took place on July 25 and 26 and boasted the largest number of participants, with 60 freshman and 12 upperclassmen. These upperclassmen helped facilitate and have participated in previous Camp Hetucks.
Steve Ostipow and Lonnie Scott of Leadership Voyage served as the main facilitators of the camp and introduced fun-filled and leadership-building activities to the group.
Tracie Varvir, Sydney McQueary, and Tyler Kisling shared about their Camp Hetuck experience and explained that they enjoyed making new friendships and building their character and leadership skills through the activities in which they participated.
“I liked how the activities encouraged me to get out of my shell, while at the same time they allowed me to just be myself,” stated McQueary.
These three students hail from cities at some distance from OSU-Mansfield.
Audrey Galat, however, is a Mansfield native who also participated in Camp Hetuck.
She learned that there are many different types of leaders, and she identified what category of leadership she falls under. Galat added, “I liked staying at the campus apartments overnight. It was like a taste of college and it was neat bonding with the other campers. We stayed up until about 3 a.m. talking and hanging out.”
“One of the biggest things I’ve noticed campers take away from this experience is that they’ve made friends and gained leadership skills. Plus, it’s an anxiety-reducer because the students get to meet new people along with the staff, and they’re introduced to the college setting by staying in the campus housing.”
Fun fact: Hetuck refers to the Indian word meaning, “eye of the buck,” or “buckeye.”
