An event that often attracts many, was attended by few. Rock the Rafters, a dance camp put on by Wahlert, is typically a huge fundraiser for the dance team and a popular occasion for the local dancers.

Over 60 kids typically arrive at Wahlert on a weekend in February. These girls and boys learn a routine, play games, and eat pizza. To end the camp, the dance team puts on a big show, where various local dance, drill and cheer teams perform as do the campers.

This show generally attracts a few hundred parents and community members; however, this year schedules did not get out in time, and other teams already had commitments. With no teams, there was no show.

Around 30 campers came Sunday, March 6, for three and a half hours of fun.

The camp started at one, and the dance team started things off with a few ice breaker games.

Then, the dance team girls split the kids up into three groups based on age. They taught each age group a routine, then all came together to learn one final song as a whole.

At 3:15 p.m., the campers ate lunch, and shortly after, the parents came to watch their children perform. To wrap up the camp, the dance team performed one of their dances from the season.

Kirstin Apel, ‘17, says, ”We had a great time. The kids had a blast! However, it would have been nice to have a bigger turn out.”

The typical Rock the Rafters schedule was smoothly adjusted to fit the situation, but the team now lacks funds.

Financially, the dance team doesn’t do as well as other clubs and sports teams.

“This will greatly affect next year, because we might not have enough money to go to state. This is a big part of our season. It is all we work towards for months,” says Apel.

Getting through this next season, with the recent misfortune, will be difficult.