A storm of calm. The final days felt like the usual whirlwind of activity, but there was a pervasive sense of ease to it, a sense we had done what we had come to do.
Our Banquet theme was tropical, as was the food: red beans and rice, fried plantains, huge 6″x 6″ ribs, (seitan kebabs for veggies), citrus and berry fruit salad, sherbet and key lime pie. All of these goodies were home made.
Our ceremonies during the banquet included recognitions for canoeing around the lake, tanning hides to make buckskin moccasins. swimming the five miles around the lake, carrying canoes to Indian Brook, and much, much more.
Yet, my favorite part of closure was when we began our candlelight ceremony. Each camper leaves our Upper Lodge with a lit candle and slowly proceeds down to the Meeting Circle where we close with “I am” statements.
That evening, there was a warm summer breeze that rustled the treetops, then blow through our procession. Every time this happened, campers came together to the one candle that remained lit and quietly and patiently rekindle and continue. I think it took half a hour to make it the three minute walk to Meeting Circle. When we gathered in silence we heard many eloquent expressions about the first half, but perhaps none so much as the simple and silent cohesiveness of the group as we made our walk together that night. Thanks everyone for a great first half!