Looking back –

Friday was Island Fair Day, our Second Session version of Independence Day (without the Salmon Bake).  We were busy baking pies, building Milk Carton boats, setting up Carnival booths.  It was a full day – Wayfarers won Best of Show in pie making with their Pecan Pie; Rangers won the canoe race and Mountaineers won the kayak face.   Mariners rounded things off with a clear win in the Milk Carton Boat race.  Carnival booths included:  Marriage Booth, Fishing for Compliments Booth, Message Booth; Hug Booth and the very popular Lemonade/Tatoo Combo Booth.  The weather started off cool and cloudy, but by Carnival time we enjoyed scattered clouds and sun.  We wrapped things up with the older campers watching the camp movie in the lodge and the younger units listening to Bill Holm tell stories in the Craft Shop.  A very relaxing day for all!

The Troubadours spent two days on Lopez Island, volunteering at the Lopez Community Land Trust.  This is a low-middle income housing project, built primarily with volunteer labor, designed to be ”Net-Zero”; using energy saving technology the homes will not only produce enough energy to sustain their community but will also sell their excess energy back to the power company.  The property includes a wooded area and the unit worked to clear trails that can be safely used by children living in the new homes.

All Units have completed their Codes of Conduct and I thought you’d enjoy some highlights:

Girl’s Units

Archers (3-4th graders)

  • Laugh with each other, not at each other
  • Be there for your tent mates
  • Share but ask first

Mariners (5th graders)

  • “United we stand” – include everyone
  • Wear proper clothing for activities
  • Honesty is always the best policy

Vagabonds (6th graders)

  • Participate and contribute for the good of the group
  • Use good judgement and be responsible for yourself and others
  • Judge no one – recognize other’s efforts

Voyageurs (7th graders)

  • Respect the island – it is a gift!
  • Wait your turn to talk
  • Maintain restful atmosphere during rest hour

Wayfarers (8th graders)

  • Be mindful of how your words make others feel
  • Step outside your comfort zone
  • The Unit is Family

Troubadours (9-10th graders)

  • Respect boundaries – No means No
  • No forcing of opinions
  • Use the Golden Rule

Boy’s Units

Explorers (3-4th graders)

  • Bathroom Buddies are mandatory
  • No bad words
  • Knock before entering someone’s tent/tipi

Rangers (5th graders)

  • R.O.P.P. – Respect other people’s property
  • Food:  Start small, work up to bigger portions
  • Tipi mates help each other get ready for activities

Pioneers (6th graders)

  • Just listen
  • Don’t use language  you wouldn’t use in front of Grandma
  • Everyone likes Ice Cream Mondays (treat for successful Sunday Inspection) – Clean your tipi

Foresters (7th graders)

  • Be Inclusive!
  • Be Awesome!
  • Have Fun!

Islanders (8th graders)

  • Settle your problems responsibly
  • No negatives
  • Be respectful

Mountaineers (9-10th graders)

  • Know when to be funny – know when to be serious
  • Give time and energy to the younger units
  • Take a leadership role in nurturing the unit’s welfare

Coming Up

The oldest units (Mountaineers, Troubadours, Islanders and Wayfarers) leave Monday for their Big Trips – 5 day, coed trips.  Some will go to the Cascades for an Alpine hike, others will sail Lightnings or paddle kayaks through the San Juans and some will enjoy the local islands on bike.  The weather is predicted to be cool and likely damp ( ie: rainy) and they are gathering the necessary gear and equipment to  ensure safe and enjoyable trips.

Monday will also find us saying goodbye to our youngest campers, the Archers and Explorers.  We had a full compliment of both boys and girls (19 in each unit), each being skillfully supervised by 3 Unit Staff.  Saturday evening the Troubadours hosted a Farewell Campfire in honor of our departing campers.  The youngest units bring a remarkable energy and enthusiasm to our community and they will be missed by everyone.

While the big kids are away the Foresters and Voyageurs will be the oldest campers on the island and will be given a leadership role in our Nell Robinson Day activities on Wednesday.  The community will be divided into 5 teams of different colors.  The morning will be spent enjoying activities not typically taught at camp and the afternoon will be an all-camp Treasure Hunt.  All will be focused on the history of this property and it’s previous owner/steward, Nell Robinson.

Our third overnight will be Thursday.  Most units will stay on the island but Foresters will spend the afternoon and evening on Waldron Island.

Week’s end will find us preparing for our Visitor’s Weekend – a busy couple of days.  It is always great to have an opportunity to share the island with visitors and let them see first hand what happens at Camp.  Not everyone will have guests and we make every effort to ensure that those campers are engaged and involved, leaving little time to miss home.

All these events have a way of speeding things up and we will suddenly find ourselves starting our final week of the session – lots happening then too – stayed tuned….