Student story: The Nightwalkers

By Chris Jones

It is late: 12:15 a.m. on Thursday. This means curfew for the students at the Flint Hills Publications Workshop.

Most students have settled in their rooms, ready to rest and recharge, a few stragglers dart through the hall trying not to get caught by the floor counselors.

Doors slam shut, followed by a brief but peaceful moment of silence before the room inspections begin.

“Well, we have to enforce quiet hours and make sure everybody is in on time and in the right room,” counselor Matt Binter said. “Then we just have to make sure they stay there for the night.”

Room by room, Binter and fellow counselor Tim Schrag do a nightly head count, making sure every camp student is safely in their room. Troublemakers will not be tolerated.
“We have had to deal with a few rowdy rooms and kids being in the wrong room,” Schrag said. “Nothing major.”

Both Schrag and Binter said they heard about the workshop on campus and have enjoyed helping the students and advisers throughout the week.

“I work for Student Publications, and every year they ask for volunteers so I just feel I should,” Binter said. “It wouldn’t be the same great experience if it was a different group of people. It’s been a ton of fun.”

With all rooms checked and each student accounted for, it’s time for the counselors to settle in for the night.

“Once we make sure everybody is where they are supposed to be and staying there, our job is done,” Binter said. “Although there have been minor issues with students, there’s nothing we can’t handle.”

Chris Jones is a junior at Andover High School and a student in the advanced newswriting class at the Flint Hills Publications Workshop.