Communication Camp Students Reunite

For the second year in a row, over 40 Bloomfield Hills High School students participated in a three-day Communication Camp in October to foster stronger community relationships. Held at Camp Skyline in Almont, MI, and coordinated by Associate Principal Jason Ohrt and School Mental Health Specialist Julianne Umbarger, the retreat aimed to build connections among students from diverse social groups and create a positive school culture. Teaching staff and counselors selected students anonymously to ensure representation from various social groups. 

In December, before the two-week break, students from the 2023 and 2024 Communication Camp groups reunited to reconnect and reflect on their shared experiences. BHHS staff who attended the camp joined the reunion, guiding student groups in discussions and activities. The reunion began with a video emphasizing the importance of avoiding judgment and assumptions about others. Students then participated in a “cross the line” activity to build trust and empathy. They were divided into small groups, blending camp attendees from both years. These groups discussed the lasting impact of the camp experience and revisited its core purpose: that one person has the power to create positive cultural change.

Sloane Popov (grade 11), a fall 2023 attendee, shared the deep impact of the camp experience: “Communication camp was my favorite event I have ever gone to. It has forever changed my life and who I am as a person. There is a quote that one of the groups made at camp: ‘It is impossible to hate someone once you truly get to know them,’ and I’ll never forget that. Camp taught me to reflect on things I had never considered before and changed my perspective in many ways. I loved everything about it and wish I could’ve gone back again and again.” Popov also expressed excitement for the reunion. “Although we had many ideas for change after camp, we lost touch with those things over time. Getting everyone back together brought those feelings and lessons back. I really hope we can have more reunions in the future so we can continue to connect, build our ideas, and stay in touch with what we learned at camp.”

With prior experience of Communication Camp in a former position, Ohrt partnered with Umbarger as a mental health specialist and social worker to tailor the program for the BH community. Umbarger reflects, “This camp is magic. I’ve seen it now twice. The geniuses who created it (neither me nor Jason) truly knew what they were doing to facilitate the opening up of 50 teenagers at one time.” Umbarger shared an anecdote about how students from different social groups said hello to each other when passing in the halls, and how it positively impacted their groups, as well as the students on a personal level. “Small things make big change.”