Together Everyone Achieves More
The TEAM plays a huge roll in the Overnighter. The chosen high school students, are not only role models for the fifth and sixth grade students, but help teach them important life lessons through skits. The TEAM keeps the kids active with fun and silly energizers, assists with workshops and family group times throughout the weekend.
TEAM Testimonals
As a team member I always went into the experience every year thinking "I am going to really influence these kids this year", and I always left Saturday afternoon astonished at how much more the kids had taught me than I believe I had taught them. The Overnighter is something that MUST be kept going. The way we are going to change the future is through our children. Kids are getting more and more worldly every year and we have to do something to preserve their innocence yet promote intelligence and good choice making. The Overnighter is a great step into this idea and I hope it sticks around forever.
Bethany Wages - 2009 TEAM Senior
Being Part of the TEAM for the overnighter means a lot to me. It is something I look forward to most in the school year. It not only keeps me connected with a great group of friends but also gives me the opportunity to have a positive effect on the younger children. The TEAM allows me to interact with many individuals who I sometimes wouldn’t hang around with outside of school, but when we come together as a TEAM at the overnighter we gain a great bond that will then go beyond the time we spend together for the overnighter. The feeling of knowing you’ve had a positive effect on a younger child is amazing. It truly means a lot to realize how much the younger kids look up to me and want to learn from me, when really in a sense I'm gaining from them. Being on the TEAM over the years has made me grow as an individual in many ways and made me realize how big of an affect I’ve had on not only the children at the overnighter, but everyone else on the TEAM as well.
Amanda Sprankle - 2008 TEAM Senior
Usually when someone asks a teenager to volunteer their time to work with kids the response is, “Let me check my schedule.” Then as they walk away they roll their eyes thinking, “Yeah right I have better things to do.” Well let me tell you—being on the TEAM is so much more than that. As difficult as it may be for some people to understand, working with over 100 little kids and all, being on the TEAM and working at the overnighter is probably the most exciting experience I have ever had.
Being on the TEAM is not just about performing skits, yelling energizers, sleeping in a cold cabin, and acting stupid (the best part) to make kids laugh. It really brings everyone closer. Last year was so much fun. There are people from all of the different peer groups that sign up for this, and believe it or not, we ALL came together, got along, and improved our relationships. Just because you’re on the team doesn’t mean you have to switch who your friends are; it doesn’t mean you have to suddenly become friends with everyone. The great thing about the experience is that you end up having so much fun that it just sort of happens by itself. I ended up talking to everyone like I knew them my whole life, even if I’d never said a word to them in my life. I made several new friends last year and they are really great people!
Another thing I love about being on the TEAM is the part where we get to be as funny as we can and crack everyone up. We perform a number of skits and energizers. These, I think, are a major part of what brings everyone so close.
I also love the relationships I make with the 5th and 6th graders. They are a reminder of what we used to be. I remember all the fun we had at the overnighter and how hard those high schoolers worked to ensure that we had a good time. Last year I received many letters from the girls in my cabin and the kids in my family group saying how much they loved me hanging out with them. Every time I’m at a sporting event or around kids from Covington I have them running up and hugging me asking if I remember them. They’re always saying, “You were so cool last year! Remember when…”
Being on the TEAM is a wonderful experience and I encourage everyone to try it. I know after I graduate I’m going to sign up to be a family group leader. After returning to the overnighter after all these years, I don’t see how I could ever stop coming back. It’s just so much fun.
Meredith DeHart - 2008 TEAM Senior
The PLUS TEAM has been my best experience in high school. I love the unity of the TEAM and the all work we get to do together to make the Overnighter a success. Being role models for the 5th and 6th graders is a great honor, and it's amazing to see the 6th graders I had in family group as a freshman apply to be on the TEAM. There is definitely a 'pay it forward' attitude as the campers become TEAM members and as the TEAM members become family group leaders. I think the TEAM is contagious! (but that is definitely a good thing!)
Kaila Bowman - 2008 TEAM Senior
Being on the TEAM is very important to me. I believe that it is a great experience to be able to bond with people that I don't normally hang out with. I've made so many new friends in the past few years that I probably wouldn't have become friends with, if it weren't for the TEAM. There are many different types of people, but they all have one thing in common, they want to do the ON for the kids, and I think that's really awesome.
Jessica Snipes - 2008 TEAM Senior
To me the team represents a group of people coming together to set a great example for the 5th and 6th graders. During this time the team learns a lot about themselves and each person grows to become better. The overnighter is a great experience to help guide the 5th and 6th graders towards the right direction and I am proud to be a part of that. I only wish that there was more I could do to make sure that they made responsible choices. Ashley Hoblit - 2008 TEAM Senior
To me being on the TEAM means that I'm in a role model position. I feel the need to always put my best foot forward and be proactive in my community. The pressure of being a good role model for the younger kids is great motivation for me to become a better person!
Zack Gibson - 2008 TEAM Senior