(From Judy Collins “Circle Game” – a Camp favorite)
A few highlights from last week:
The Pioneers thoroughly enjoyed their canoe overnight to Reed Harbor on Stuart Island. They set up camp and went on the 7 mile hike to the Lighthouse where they watched porpoises off the west shore. The Islanders hosted our Saturday night campfire, taking their inspiration from Monty Python and Quest for the Holy Grail. It was hilarious. The Vagabonds hosted a thoughtful Chapel on the topic of Self-Confidence. The Mountaineers have been working on a month long project – building a gate for our Garden. Troubadours hosted a very successful Carnival themed Coffee House, well attended with entertaining performances by talented campers and staff. The Mariners worked with Artist in Residence, Diane Ultman, on mosaic tiles using local insects as their inspiration. Voyaguers started their week with an evening of Yoga and relaxation while the Rangers took on the Pioneers and Foresters in a high energy game of Capture the Flag, Nor’wester style. The Wayfarers joined the other 3 oldest units for a fun filled dance, reuniting the older campers after their 5 day trips.
Visitor’s Weekend was a great success. Saturday we had over 125 guests. Sunday was much smaller with slightly more that 30 visitors. Wonderful weather seems to be the theme for First Session and it was definitely a highlight of the weekend. It was perfect for a picnic, walking tours to the Bighouse and generally enjoying the natural beauty with which we are blessed.
Comments shared by guests: “I have to investigate this place more. Everyone is just so nice! Do you screen your campers?”; “I have heard about this transformational experience and I’m telling you (two thumbs up signal given)!; “It is quite impressive that these kids will stand up in front of the entire community and ask for things they need.” and “You should target families that want to raise ‘free-range (independent and resilent ) children.” (That’s a new one to me!)
The Days Ahead –
It is hard to believe that we are already into our final week – Units go on their last overnight this afternoon and Little Big Trips return tomorrow after lunch. Time is flying by camp-style now, where this morning feels like a week ago and arriving at camp seems like yesterday.
Opry House is tomorrow – a selection of One-Act plays, each starring a specific age group of camper. Thursday and Friday will be all about ’Olympic Games’. It is your classic camp Color War where the campers are divided into the Blue and Red teams and they compete in various activities hosted by our different departments. Scores are given, not just for successfully completing the task, but also for sportsmanship, organization, cheers, singing and positive attitude.
Thursday night is our Arts Night. Several activities will be offered: The Gallery, where art projects from the session are displayed; Making Turks Heads; Photo Booth; and the ever popular Fashion Show where garments and accessories created over the session are presented on the Camp Nor’wester runway.
Our last Chapel will be hosted by representativies of both teams and typically provides everyone the opportunity to reflect on the last four weeks we have spent as a community. The Games will conclude with our All-Camp Banquet that night. Somehow clean clothes will be found, showers taken, hair combed and we will all look very presentable. It is a long night, with our last Musicale performances, speeches from Team Captains and lots of note passing.
Saturday is busy too, with packing and preparing for departures on Sunday. It is a bitter sweet time, when campers look forward to seeing family, friends, pets and taking long hot showers, but also face separation from new and renewed friendships. We won’t dwell on that here….we’re just going enjoy our last few days together.