Act I
Scene One: Opening Day
The excitement of opening day shined through the clouds as campers poured into camp. SAM staff welcomed campers from far, wide, and literally all corners of the US. It was clear to us from reading “Letters to My Counselor” forms and camper applications that we were going to have a spectacular group and it was a breath of fresh air to see them all here together. During the first afternoon campers were introduced or reunited with the refreshing waters of Lake Ninevah, cabin staff, and the fun yet seemingly complicated rituals of the SAM pre-meal circle up. Singing on the hill was rich and robust with the participation of nearly 70 campers and staff! We were full of energy and did all we could to run around and play games of tag in the field before our first night cabin discussions. These discussions are special opportunities to discover more about with whom they will be sharing this home away from home. We kick off with name games and group forming activities followed by the development of a Cabin Contract that allows campers to set healthy and respectful boundaries in their cabins and also share their hopes and expectations for the summer. Campers let each other know how they can be supported and, being camper generated, they really take ownership of their common space.
Scene Two: Cabin Trips Pack-Out
Taking the time to teach campers how to carefully prepare themselves for a trip is instrumental in building confidence. Campers take the time to carefully plan menus, pack food and personal clothing, and inspect group gear. Preparing for rain or a tipped canoe, campers learn to make their backpacks water-tight, packing clothing and sleeping bags in packs lined with plastic bags and then tip over canoes and swim them to shore. By the end of the day packs were packed and the cabin groups had grown stronger and were clearly working together.
Scene Three: Waste no time, the trail is calling.
Cabin groups set out in all directions Friday morning. With a strong wind blowing the clouds to the east, campers left by foot and by boat on three day (two night) trips only a few miles away from SAM camp and it’s namesake Saltash Mountain. Cabin trips, while short, are packed full of both skill and lesson learning. These are introduction trips which allow campers to get a taste of what’s to come, without giving them too much culture shock just two days after arriving. Aside from learning what it’s like (or getting reintroduced to) hiking or canoeing with everything you need on your back or in your boat, cabins learn hard skills, play more group forming games and have the chance to explore the beautiful woods that surround Saltash Mountain camp. Learning how to properly poop in the woods in a SAM camp favorite sporting event called the Poop Olympics is just one of many skills necessary for being a safe and happy camper! Hanging a critter bag to keep food from being nibbled on, setting up a tent or a tarp, learning how to turn spring or lake water into safe drinking water and learning what to do in case an emergency occurs are more skills campers learn so that they are prepared when they go out on their longer trips a only a week later.
Intermission: Buh Bye Questers
Two days after their younger friends left on cabin trips, the Questers set out on their two and a half week journey through Maine’s backcountry. After a long drive up north and a night of camping, Questers secured their air-tight packs in canoes, put in at Rockwood Maine looking across Moosehead Lake at Mt. Kineo and begin the first leg of their trip of the 108 mile journey through the North Maine Woods and Baxter State Park.
Act II
Scene One: Pack-in and Trip Skits
After three days on the trail, campers return and head straight to Mac-O-Bac to unpack all of their group gear, wash their dirty dishes, clean their water bottles and reunite with friends from other cabins. Before dinner they get the chance to take a warm, long awaited shower and then get together to begin planning a skit. After every trip at SAM camp, trip groups perform a song or a skit for the rest of camp which sums up the past days out on the trail, allows the rest of the community to get an idea of what the trip was like and gives closure to the wonderful experience shared by only a small group of fellow SAMmers. A delicious and hearty meal of baked chicken, mashed potatoes and fresh green beans precedes an evening of sharing the highlights of cabin trips in our Trip Skits. Funky costumes and hilarious re-caps have the whole camp in stitches, but a couple of songs lead us from dusk into darkness and bedtime is finally here.
Scene Two: First “Normal” Day at Camp
Five days after campers arrive we find ourselves in our first normal day of camp. Campers wake up for breakfast and after some thorough assanas (chores) we head to meeting where we sit in silence in our meeting circle for the first time as a whole camp. After meeting, counselors announce activities and it’s off to morning activities, the bulk of which are centered on the big Interdependence Day skit we are scheduled to perform just twenty four hours later. Interdependence day is a time when all the Farm and Wilderness camps come together and celebrate our…interdependence. Morning activities include skit writing, skit song writing, props building and then a few non skit related activities like caring for our garden or building “fairy houses” in the woods. After lunch and then a rest hour it’s off to afternoon activities and time to finish the skit and props so we can begin rehearsals for evening activity. After dinner we put on costumes and rehearse the skit and songs until bedtime. After a long and active day, bedtime couldn’t come too soon and a 9pm lights out seems like a late night. Campers are quick to fall asleep despite the excitement and anticipation for tomorrow’s festivities.
Scene Three: Hike down to the Lower Camps for Interdependence Day (July 7, 2009)
Everyone comes up to breakfast packed and ready to go on a nine mile hike to the lower camps in Plymouth. A quick run through of the skit with dance routines and songs starts our day. Soon we are off, making our way down the same route that Revolutionary War soldiers walked from New Hampshire to Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain and eventually by the birth place of Calvin Coolidge. Lightening shorted our hike but allowed for a little extra time to practice the skit while waiting out the storm at Indian Brook Camp. After a dip in the lake and a meal at IB we started the parade with all six camps. Now we don’t want to boast, but our skit rocked! The campers could not have been more proud of this amazing production they put together in less than 36 hours. Later that night, we had time to appreciate all that had gone into the skit and it was clear that it was not just about the production. The skit gave campers an opportunity to practice sharing ideas respectfully, staying positive when facing a daunting task, appreciating other’s best, stepping outside of there comfort zones and so much more. It is becoming clear that campers are recognizing the awesomeness of themselves and the community around them.
We’ll be in camp for the next few days working on cool projects, wilderness skills, and continuing to work on our relationships and leadership.