Camp T. Frank Soles is located in a valley, cradled by the Laurel Mountains of Pennsylvania.

The camp provides modern day youngsters a chance to live close to the earth, steadily growing in spirit, mind and body.

On a beautiful autumn Sunday afternoon in 2005, program coordinator Kristin Deichler, along with several members of the South Fayette middle school faculty, visited Camp Soles in Rockwood, PA, which was founded in 1953 by Mr. T. Frank Soles, a local businessman and philanthropist. The group knew immediately this would be the site of their sixth grade camping trip.

Camp Soles, which is managed by the YMCA McKeesport, keeps its promise to maintain an environment that is safe, wholesome and, of course, fun. Camp Soles captures the spirit of childhood while helping tomorrow’s leaders become well-rounded citizens. The camp is organized around principles that have made the YMCA a leader in camping for more than 100 years. 

All of the South Fayette middle school administrators, including Superintendent Dr. Linda Hippert, Principal Dr. Carol Labutta and assistant principal Peter Abdulovic, have been tremendously supportive and encouraging of this important program.

The sixth grade camping trip is held after Memorial Day over the last two weeks of school. It’s a three-day, two-night event. The students are broken into two groups of equal number. This year’s class had a total of 186 students with roughly 93 attending Camp Soles for three days each. The teachers attend camp for a total of six days. The cost is $85 per student. Many of the students raise money for Camp Soles through a variety of fundraisers held throughout the year.

Another faculty member who plays an active role in this program is sixth grade social studies teacher Susan Andrew. A lifelong Pittsburgh resident, Andrew attended college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She has been an accomplished teacher in the South Fayette school district for 34 years.

Andrew is quick to deflect praise towards her fellow sixth grade math teacher Kristin Deichler. “She schedules the students by groups, activities and time, so that every minute is accounted for during their camp stay.” Deichler, who prides herself on making connections with her students, is also the student council and yearbook advisor.

Deichler, a 1997 graduate of Chartiers Valley, is entering her sixth year as a teacher within the South Fayette school district. She recalls talking with her colleagues a couple years ago about the prospect of initiating a sixth grade camping trip at South Fayette. “We knew of several other schools (that) have been doing similar programs, some as many as 30 years,” said Deichler. “We believed this would create an entirely new learning environment.”

In 2006, science teacher Matt Popovic, social studies teacher Scott Phillip, Deichler and Andrew attended two trips. While they are away, mathematics teacher, Mrs. Shober and language arts teacher Mrs. Michalowsky, along with several substitute teachers, manage the normal daily routine for the remaining students. Mrs. Shober was scheduled to join her colleagues at camp but was forced to remain home due to family obligations. Andrew marvels at the commitment of her friends and colleagues. “I’ve been extremely fortunate over the years to always have team members who are willing to go above
and beyond.”

Camp Soles includes dozens of activities for the children. These include – but aren’t limited to – candle making, nature photo journaling, a night walk, a confidence course, zip line, fishing and Olympics. Mrs. Shober was able to secure a McDonald’s grant for the photo journaling portion of the camp.

One of the most unforgettable moments for the kids occurred last spring when the Pennsylvania Game Commission brought in a bear to show the children how bears are trapped, identified for study and released into the wild.

All parties involved agree that Camp Soles is a valuable and memorable experience for the children and teachers alike. “We believe that every child should have the chance to (lie) in a meadow, gazing at the stars. To play hard, to reflect quietly, to be heard, to listen, to belong and to feel the joy of accomplishment,” reads the Web site of Camp Soles.

Andrews echoes this sentiment. “The children develop more self-confidence by accepting and meeting challenges,” she said. “We’ve watched them become kinder to their peers as they shout encouragement during competitions.”

Deichler finds the sixth grade camping trip personally rewarding. “We watch some children emerge as leaders, while others display skills such as fishing, crafts or athletics.” Yet the most amazing transformation takes place while the kids are together in the cabin. “We see the children forget about stereotypes and develop friendships that could last a lifetime,” observed Deichler.

“This is the first time sleeping away from home for some of the children,” said Deichler, “And it’s the first time on the turnpike for others.” When Deichler and her colleagues meet with the parents during the fall assembly they talk about creating “new friendships” and lifelong memories.