Cliques are very common in high school. Some people tend to stay in their little groups and don’t socialize with any outsiders.

This is a problem in schools because it limits people from getting to know each other. The idea of Communication Camp is trying to help people understand each other by talking to students from all different friend groups.

“Teachers and staff pick out people from all different backgrounds so that everyone can appreciate and understand each other,”  said Social Studies Teacher Matt Eggleston, who is organizing this year’s camp.

Communication Camp is coming back to Milford High School the weekend before Thanksgiving.

The faculty and staff get together and choose 60 students from all different groups and they will head to Camp Copneconic in Fenton for three days where they will do all sorts of team building activities. It varies from small group discussions to fun outdoor activities that allow all the students to connect with each other.

“The goal of this is to break down barriers and to have people respect each other, even if they are completely different from you,” Eggleston said.

They put students into small groups where they are allowed to talk about themselves and the things they go through. This is where people share their personal experiences and they open up.

“These talks would really open people’s eyes and show what each person goes through,” Senior Joe Bravo said.

From a student’s perspective, no one actually knows what’s going on in people’s life. Someone could look so happy, but have so much pain inside of them. This camp makes you realize that everyone has his or her own struggles and different ways of dealing with them.

“In high school all you know is your little group. Most groups just stay within each other and don’t branch out to get to know others,” said Eggleston.

The camp was once an annual occasion at Milford but has not been run in the last three years. Former camp counselor and English Teacher Rob Hamilton is happy to see it return.

“This is one of the best things to be apart of,” Hamilton said. “Students learn empathy for others, work with students from outside their normal social groups, and many friendships are formed.”

He explained how much this camp impacted students and how cool it was to see everyone break out of their shell and communicate.

“It’s a great learning experience and really changes how people perceive each other,” he said.

Eggleston said there was very good feedback from the students that have attended.  Every student came back with a new outlook on school and their peers.

They would come back and look at different groups and not be judgmental and have a different perspective on people,” he said.

Communication Camp has had a positive impact in the past and the staff hopes this year it will be a success as well.