Rubber soles of bulky boots stomped down clumsily on the damp grass. Shouts of victory rose from the soccer field, as a few fifth and sixth graders accomplished their assigned task.

While the varsity football team was preparing for their game on Saturday, September 22, a scavenger hunt for prospective fifth and sixth graders was underway. Free for all who all signed up, this event had thirty students from ten elementary schools around the area.

At the scavenger hunt, these students were placed in small groups, assigned a student ambassador to serve as their host, and given a questionnaire about the middle school teachers. These teachers and other athletic coaches were stationed on the tennis courts, football stadium, and the soccer, lacrosse, baseball, and softball fields.

The goal of the small groups was to visit each station and complete the activity the middle school teachers had planned.

For example, Allison Pautler, seventh grade math teacher, was stationed on the lacrosse field and taught the kids how to cradle. Afterwards, she challenged them to a couple of relay races. At the soccer station, they had to wear oversized boots and then had to dribble a soccer ball around some cones.

After playing these games, the students had to ask a list of questions and had to match each fun fact with the correct teacher. The team would then record the answer on the questionnaire and go to the next station.

“The questionnaire provided a platform for a conversation with the middle school teachers and visiting fifth and sixth grade students,” said Peggy Johnson, Director of Admissons.

For more than an hour, the students participated enthusiastically as they were challenged to work together with their teammates and new friends.

They also had a great opportunity to meet middle school teachers and ask them questions.

As the students followed their ambassador around, the small group had a lot of time to interact and get to know each other.

“It was really fun running around and getting to know the kids that were in my group and everyone else’s group too. Seeing them talk to each other and become friends was cool too because they’re all going to be attending Westminster in the next few years. The scavenger hunt gave them a head start of meeting new people,” said Cole Hoskins, junior.

Once they had gone to each station, finished the activity, and answered the questions, they went back to the table where they started and got a voucher for lunch from the concession stand. As they ate, the football team was preparing for their game, which the fifth and sixth graders were encouraged to stay for.

“The fact that they now know most of their future middle school teachers is really helpful for them so that they aren’t as nervous coming to a brand new school with all new teachers. I recommend that Westminster does it again next year and in the future because it was fun for me and the kids. Even though it may not seem like it to some of them, it really is a big help for them when they start middle school at Westminster,” said Hoskins.

Many student ambassadors recommended that WCA conduct this scavenger hunt next year due to the enthusiasm and interaction the kids showed.

“It was a success!” said Margo Koby, sophomore.

Resulting in new made friends, the scavenger hunt also helped kids to become familiar with the athletic facilities, middle school teachers, and other students currently enrolled in the academy.

“The purpose of this activity was for the prospective students to get to know the teachers better and interact. We were hoping the scavenger hunt would be a success in exposing new kids to Westminster, specifically to our athletic facilities,” said Pautler.