The bell calling everyone to Chapel has rung and Units have made their way to the north side of the property. We gathered there to reflect on the past week and the topic of “Self”; how we develop into an individual, who influences us, how we can change things about ourself. To paraphrase an analogy presented by a thoughtful camper ”We have three layers: the diamond interior, the horse manure middle layer and the nail polish outer layer. The outlayer is pretty and presentable to the world; the middle layer contains our personal challenges and weaknesses and the diamond is our true self. It takes work getting through the first two to find the real person” People loved this Chapel!
Helping to focus our attention on the ‘here and now’ was the spectacular view we enjoyed from that site – looking north into the Gulf Islands of Canada and west to majestic Mount Baker.
It was a short week on the Nor’wester calendar, with Units just starting to attend the various program areas. The two oldest units, the Troubadours and Mountaineers, joined our two youngest units, the Explorers and Archers, for the first dance of the session. Fanciful and funny costumes filled the lodge as they practiced folk and square dancing, accompanied by our talented Music Department and the Nor’wester Wall of Sound.
As each Unit came to the Craftshop they drew names for our Potlatch gift exchange at the end of the session. Similar to being a Secret Santa, everyone draws the name of an other person (campers draw campers, staff draw staff) for whom they make a surprise gift. The Explorers and Archers will draw within their two units and exchange gifts before they leave next week.
Units have also been spending time with our Native Cultural Activities gurus, Bill and Marty Holm and their assistant Sophie Leininger. A focus on the history of this area and the people who came before us is an intregal part of the Nor’wester program. Bill and Marty have shared their vast knowledge of the Northwest Coast tribes and practices with the camp for many decades and their generosity continues to change the lives of campers and staff alike.
The first overnight of the session is behind us – successes all around. It was a perfect night for sleeping out under the stars, enjoying private Unit time. Many groups used their after dinner hours to work on or complete their Codes of Conduct – the guiding principles each unit agrees to follow as they spend the summer together as a group. I’ll post some excerpts once they are all turned in.
The focus for all the Units these past few days has been to bring new and returning campers together. Activities that highlight similarities, individual strengths and backgrounds, and generally help everyone get to know each other are common. Early activities at the Ropes Course have a similar theme – group challenges that provide the Unit an opportunity to learn things about each other that might not otherwise be apparent.
Units have been spent this morning preparing for their weekly inspection. Although time is set aside each day before morning activities to tidy up, all units make a concerted effort to clean their Units and prepare for the upcoming week every Sunday morning. Units are graded on general appearance of the Unit, the interior of tents/tipis as well as safety – each tent/tipi is required to have a small water supply on hand in case of fire.
Highlights for the upcoming week:
Today after our mid-day meal the oldest campers will hear about the 5 Big Trips being offered to them next week and will make a selection of their top 3 choices. Trip assignments will be posted by Tuesday and then the fun begins; gathering the needed equipment/clothing, meeting with Trip Leaders to discuss trip protocols and procedures, packing gear, etc. Island Fair Day will be next Friday – a full day of special activities, including milk carton boat building, pie making, Carnival, and waterfront races (canoes for the younger units, kayaks for the older campers).
Second Overnight – Explorers and Archers will venture a bit further from their Unit area, camping out at two prime overnight sites, Read’s Point and Cottonwood Cove. Off island trips include the Islanders paddling the Hunt Canoes to Jones Island and the Troubadours going to Lopez Island to participate in service work for the Lopez Community Land Trust’s fourth housing project, this one focused on being energy independent.
Gosh, we are a very busy community! Check back next week to see how the week unfolded.