BARN DAY CAMP

Hello IB and BDC communities:

It’s been 23 years since I was last on staff at IB as the Director. In that time I have raised two children, one of whom spent seven years at IB. I’ve worked at The Home and Boston GLASS, ran a high school teen parenting program, ran three daycares for the YMCA Boston, been a PE teacher, DEI director, worked for PFLAG greater Boston, taught gender education for MA Department of ED, and ran the Barn Day Camp at Farm & Wilderness. A year ago, I started a consulting business with Dusty Clitheroe from IB and we have been swamped with work. Dusty has taken it on full-time. I help with training while she coordinates the Organizational Change part of the business. Dusty and I met at IB back in the late ’80s.

This summer I was blessed with spending two mornings at IB lifeguarding and teaching canoeing skills. It was wonderful. I taught canoe-over-canoe rescue and basic care of canoe equipment, which was so fun. In fact, on the second day when a canoe tipped, the campers immediately went into canoe-over-canoe rescue in the middle of the lake. So fun to see them execute the skill flawlessly and on their own. I even got to join in the fun on a relay. where Tori Clitheroe and I swam about 30 yards and switched paddleboards.

I am so psyched to be back helping IB nurture and support female-identified and non-binary youth to recognize their strengths by challenging them to learn new skills and experience the wonderful outdoors. I want every camper to be able to come back and point out to several generations how they helped build IB. Someone asked me the other day if I could name the first work project I did. Not only could I name it, but I am also still in touch with the staff member I spent hours with working on it.

Folks may be wondering, “What about you being the Director of BDC?” The BDC is and has been in a really solid place. I am very proud of the capable leadership and program staff at BDC. Frances and I will work together on a leadership plan for BDC in the coming months, and I’ll continue to stay closely involved.

The BDC has been home to me for 17 years and has helped raise both of my kids. The staff and campers are folks I care deeply about and I want to continue to nurture their growth. Every summer, my staff work really hard to provide a wonderful experience for campers. They are what makes the BDC the amazing place that it is.  Looking ahead to camp next summer, I expect many staff to return and that we’ll be able to bring back swim lessons, and more opportunities for campers to experience different program areas in the afternoons.

I look forward to supporting IB and the BDC through the F&W journey. Please feel free to reach out with questions at polly@farmandwilderness.org.

Peace,

Polly Williams

We have had an amazing summer at the BDC for this Special Edition summer. Campers and staff have adjusted well to the changes. The essence of the BDC is still going strong. A majority of our staff are not only former F&W campers, but also former BDC campers. We have had a lot of excitement with the pigs and baby goats getting out. The weather has either been really hot or rainy. The campers don’t seem to mind either way.

Wednesday morning when I was walking into our Opening Circle, children started yelling out, “Are you really going to slaughter the goats.” This was something we had not planned to actually discuss with the kids because the goats were so young. However, once it came up in circle, I had to discuss it. I let the kids know that we are a farming camp not a petting zoo. Every year the pigs are killed for meat that feeds us and the surrounding community throughout the year. We don’t keep that a secret and believe strongly that this is part of animal farming. The pigs are processed after camp. However, the baby goats are processed while camp is happening. I talked to them about farming and about making judgmental statements and how that can be hurtful. I also explained how F&W was able to feed folks in Plymouth and Killington during Hurricane Irene when no vehicles could get in. Some of the staff discussed with their group the differences between factories that processes animals and how there is a broad range of ways to raise animals. Some talked about how some people have the privilege to choose to eat what they want, while others don’t have that choice. Finally, we talked about what it means to make a judgement about a culture that is not one they grew up with and how it’s important to open our minds to difference.

At the BDC, we seek to educate folks about different views so that campers can make their own choices. If we have an incident about social justice issues like race or gender, we “call in” instead of “calling out.” Often times at this age, kids do not even know what they are saying.

This blog is full of practical information for BDC families.   We send this out in an email as well.

This summer, we are using a car line for drop off and pick up. Adults will not be able to get out of the car. We will meet you and get your child out. Please be prepared. This process takes a while, especially on the first day. Here is how you can help with the process:

• Make sure your kids are ready to get out of the vehicle. (shoes on, back packs ready)
• Fill out the Camp Doc prescreening temperature and symptom check each morning. If you don’t have access, please take their temperature and make sure they don’t have a fever or any symptoms of COVID-19.
• Come up with a good-bye ritual that you can do in the car. ( The book “Kissing Hand” was our families’ favorite.)
• Place your child’s first and last name in your windshield. Make sure it is large so we can read it from a distance. I will not necessarily remember your kids name or be able to tell who you are with masks. I’ve been here since 1981. That’s a lot of folks.
• At pick-up, chat with your child after they are in the car, not while they are getting in.
  Please be patient with us and understand that the first day is the longest.

Sunday from 2-4 is an Open House. Our assistant director and some staff will be on hand to show you around. Please park in the first parking lot after you enter that will be on your right. Follow the path up the short hill to the Red Barn. This Open House is for new families or families of kids who need to see the place because of anxiety. You may or may not meet your kids’ counselors. We may switch groups all the way up to when folks arrive.

Polly Williams, BDC Director, polly@farmandwilderness.org

BDC office 802-422-3565

Polly’s pager- 1-888-622-3276

Let the service know you want to page Polly at the Barn Day Camp(BDC)

Please Bring every day or leave in cubby:

• Lunch (no refrigeration or heating up)
• Extra set of clothes
• Rainwear (It rains even when the weather says no rain)
• Towel
• Swimsuit
• Boots or covered shoes with no holes. (rubber rain boots are great)
• Water bottle
• Warm layer

While we wish we could have you at the fence, here’s a video tour of the Day Camp for your camper (and you!) to get a sneak peek at all the fun in store!