It’s funny how time works here on Johns Island. A day can last a lifetime but now we’re half way through the session and it seems like things are beginning to move at warp speed. Someone made a comment the other day ‘It’s like being in Narnia. You don’t actually know how long you’ve been here.” They were referring to coming into the office and getting lost in the administrative scene, but the same holds true for regular camp. ‘Camp time’ seems to be somewhat other worldish.
Since I last wrote all the units went on their second overnight of the session. The weather was great, with lots of star gazing as people fell off to sleep. Friday was Island Fair Day. Units made pies, built milk-carton boats, and created carnival booths. Again the weather cooperated and we spent a wonderful afternoon on South Beach, chilling out and watching kayak, canoe and Pico races. It was a great day. Islanders won Best in Show for their Apple Bacon Pie (no really!). 36 pies in all were baked and eaten by a very appreciative community. Booth themes included: Weavers – Radio Booth, with camp songs being played, Mariners – Message Booth, Vagabonds – This is Your Life Booth, Islanders – Chill Booth, Pioneers – Throw a Sponge at Pio Booth.
Saturday was the Farewell Campfire, dedicated to our youngest campers who left on Monday. 12 days pass very quickly and it was hard to believe that we were already saying goodbye. The evening was hosted by the Foresters and centered around the theme of “Clue” the board game. Great skits and laughter marked the evening.
On Monday, the Big Trips left us for 5 days. The four oldest units, Mountaineers, Troubadors, Islanders and Wayfarers are split into 6 different co-ed trips. Three are water based (kayaks, sailing, Hunt canoes), one is a biking trip and two venture into the Cascade Mountains. These trips are often the highlight of a camper’s time at Nor’wester, giving them the opportunity to see different parts of the San Juans and Washington State and to be with a new group of campers and staff.
Today the younger units are enjoying Nell Robinson Day. Nell was the previous owner of the property and this day is dedicated to learning more about who she was and her life on Johns. Campers are split into 5 color teams and participate in a camp-wide scavenger hunt. This session they are looking for a source of “electro-plasma” type goop (which will look a lot like a juicy watermelon). There is a different sort of energy on the property when the older campers are gone and the Foresters/Voyaguers become the oldest campers. We call it Small Camp.
Highlights from the week according to the Units:
Explorers – hot dogs, swimming, forts
Rangers – Island Fair Day, basket ball
Pioneers – winning the sailing race at Island Fair!
Foresters – hosting an awesome campfire
Islanders – swimming in the lake and using the barn swing at Helsell Farm
Mountaineers – playing Pirates in the Picos at the waterfront
Weavers – seeing porpoises on the overnight, performing unit written song at Musicale
Archers – individual awards given out at the Farewell Campfire
Mariners – whale watching and seeing J,K and L pods!
Vagabonds – sailing the Hunts canoes and dressing up for Capture the Flag
Voyaguers – working together on the Mohawk Walk at the ropes course and the big waterfight
Wayfarers – making pizza at the Adobe Oven and kayaking to Satellite Island
Troubadors – making a salad for the entire camp and anticipating Big Trips
We have a couple more days of Small Camp before Big Trips return on Friday and then we’re into Visitor’s Weekend. More later….