Building Clubs into the School Day at Camp Creek Middle

All in for Every Warrior, Every Day!

Principal Leah McDaniel

What do you do when you are committed to engaging all students and staff in extracurricular activities and many of your students can’t stay after school for clubs?

You build them into the school day so that engagement is accessible to all!

That is the philosophy behind Club Day at Camp Creek Middle School, where Principal Leah McDaniel has created a new way for students and staff to explore interests, connect with peers, improve social-emotional well-being and discover hidden talents during regular school hours.

Once a month, the bell schedule changes. Every space on campus becomes a hands-on learning space. Students spread out across the classrooms, outdoor spaces, hallways, and common areas for an afternoon of exploration and fun.

The lineup reads like a sampler of creativity: Brick Builders for LEGO, Gardening Club, Beta Club, Cooking, Line Dancing, Sewing, and dozens of other options. There is something for every personality, whether they are an artist, an athlete, a tinkerer, or a thinker.

“Middle schoolers are energetic and curious by nature,” said McDaniel. “When we give them a safe, structured space to express that, we see their confidence soar. Our Club Day provides an outlet for both students and staff to express themselves outside of day-to-day stresses.”

Teachers and staff serve as club sponsors, turning their own interests into opportunities for students. One classroom might smell like fresh fruit, while another hums with music and laughter as students learn new dance steps.

“It is one of the best days of the month,” said an excited student. “You get to try things you would not normally get to do in class. For example, I joined gardening club, and now I want to help plant flowers at home.”

Principal McDaniel also sponsors her own club, which takes student engagement a step further. Her Warrior PAC - Principal's Advisory Council is working on ways to provide input into the design, construction, and culture of the new Camp Creek Middle School being built right next door. Students are brainstorming ideas for how the new building can reflect their community, foster a positive school climate, and create a space where future Warriors will feel proud to learn.

“The students are excited that their voices matter in shaping the future of their school,” McDaniel said. “They are not just learning about leadership, they are practicing it.”

The goal of Club Day goes beyond hobbies. It is about engagement and belonging. Students are building friendships, teamwork skills, and a sense of connection that carries into the classroom.

As McDaniel put it, “When students and staff feel connected, we all thrive. Club Day is a reminder that learning is not just about textbooks. It is about discovering who we are.”

At Camp Creek Middle, we are "All in for every Warrior, Every Day," and Club Day makes sure of it.