Camden Central School District -

Each year, first graders at Camden Elementary School are in for a St. Patrick’s Day surprise they’ll never forget. In the run up to the big day, the students anxiously wait to see if they’ll catch a glimpse of the mythical leprechaun. After all, they’ve done their very best to catch one by building elaborate traps that would make pest control companies green with envy.

Every time, the outcome is the same. The season’s legendary creature comes to Camden Elementary, eludes every single possible trap, and leaves a mess of decorations to rival an elaborate birthday party.

The reactions are timeless and wide-ranging. Laughter, quiet surprise, outright shock. All part of the moments that have made this CES tradition memorable across decades, to the point where it is considered a milestone for students at the school. The idea originated with first grade teacher Racheal Keller, who brought the idea to life in her very first year teaching at Camden Elementary.

“It has become a tradition,” Keller said. “It has become a tradition. As one of my coworkers said, it has become a “right of passage for first graders”. The kindergarten and other classes tour our hallways to see what the traps look like this year.”

Keller was inspired by her time as a student teacher from SUNY Plattsburgh in Debbie Guzzo’s first grade classroom in the Plattsburgh City School District. Guzzo had her students craft “leprechaun traps” in the same way we see today at Camden Elementary, and the reaction from students sold Keller on the idea.

It didn’t take long before her fellow first grade teachers joined in on the fun to turn a classroom activity into a much larger celebration.

For their part, the students are asked to use their imagination to lure in leprechauns with a “Trap” of their own design. Some feature lights and moving parts, and many also feature lucrative offers such as free gold. Nearly all feature bright colors in some way. They are set up along the hallway in earnest. Keller offered more insight on the process.

“Making the traps provides an opportunity for our students and their families to work together, problem solve, and be creative,” Keller said. “We love seeing their creativity, each trap is unique.  In the classroom, the children share how they made their trap, who they made them with, what was a challenge and how they hope to catch the Leprechaun.”

While the legendary creature has eluded capture every year, the traps have certainly captured their fair share of memories. CES Title One Interventionist Kailee Petrie was in Keller’s first class, and recalls the celebration fondly as a tradition was born.

“She was the absolute best first grade teacher and I remember doing this project,” Petrie said. “I made the trap at home with my parents and was so excited to bring it in! I love that the tradition continues on. The excitement is palpable all day long!”