Middle Schoolers Experience Jenks Wild

By Rick Wells, The News On 6

JENKS, OK -- Jenks West Intermediate School has moved to Dry Gulch USA for a week of team building, making new friends and, of course, school.  There are 300 students and teachers immersed in something known simply as Jenks Wild.

It doesn't really sound like school.  It sounds more like a construction site.  Some 6th graders from Jenks West Intermediate are taking part in the 21st year of something they call Jenks Wild.

"We get a chance to see the children in a different environment," said teacher Kim Treat.

Treat teaches math and science, but she loves Jenks Wild.  Teachers say it's an opportunity for team building and personal growth for the kids.

"For a lot of them it's the first time to be away from home," said Brenda Wilson.

The students are at Dry Gulch most of the week.  It has several dormitories or bunk houses.  You can see the bathing suits and towels hanging out, and the students are doing without TV or video games.

There are activities like leather craft.

The students eat together and play together.  It's designed as a transition between elementary and middle school.

The students will pack up everything on Friday morning and head back home. That will give them a weekend to recover from Jenks Wild and get ready for Jenks back-to-normal.