The transition to middle school can be a daunting one for sixth graders, however Camp Middle School is designed to help abate that anxiety.

Rising sixth graders at Mount Airy Middle School had the option of spending Wednesday and Thursday getting to know the school, some of their teachers and the expectations that face them during their first year of middle school. They also had the opportunity to ask questions and test out their skills at using a combination lock.

John Elmore and Vickie Hairston with the Unlimited Success division of the Partnership for a Drug Free North Carolina led the camp with the help of some of the sixth grade faculty at the school. This is the second year the camp has taken place at the school and almost 70 sixth graders turned out for this year’s program.

“We’re giving kids a chance to get into the school before school actually starts. They can learn their way around, learn the things expected of them, meet some of their teachers, figure out the locks, so when they come to school they’re more comfortable. They can also meet new people while they’re here,” said Elmore.

They have been working on team-building exercises, art projects, going over the handbook and schedules and learning how to use combination locks. There also were some rising seventh graders at the camp to help run activities and answer any questions.

“We’re in the SADD Club and Mrs. Noble asked us to come here and explain how sixth grade works,” said Maddison Widener, who attended the camp last year and found it helpful. “With the locks, some people have more trouble than others.”

“We’re here to give them tips for how to survive,” said Katie Hicks, who also attended last year’s camp.

They offered advice to the new sixth graders on how to have a successful year at Mount Airy Middle School.

“Stay positive,” said Hicks.

“Some people, when we started, had a negative attitude thinking they weren’t going to be able to open their lockers or find their classes,” said Widener.

Elmore said he has heard students already talking out how the program has helped prepare them for the school year which starts in less than two weeks.

“Several have talked about how they’re more comfortable with the locks. They’ll have to use them in P.E. and use them in the halls so now it’s one less thing they have to worry about,” he said.

Contact Morgan Wall at mwall@mtairynews.com or 719-1929.