Greetings from Indian Brook!
The past week has been a whirlwind filled with packing and unpacking, moving in and moving out, bittersweet farewells, and exuberant reunions. Last Friday, we were sad to say goodbye to our fabulous first half campers but we forged on, charging ahead to the work projects and beloved traditions of “Changeover Weekend.”
After Thursday’s celebratory banquet dinner and Friday’s first half send-offs, our staff and 28 full-summer campers spent Saturday shopping for costumes at the Bridgewater Thrift Store, playing games in a beautiful park, and listening to banjos and fiddles at a local bluegrass festival. That night, we had our annual Rock Dance, when we enjoyed recorded music – otherwise prohibited at F&W – and danced the night away in silly costumes.
On Sunday, we welcomed new campers as they arrived with the voices of girls and women in song, enthusiastic hugs and instructional kybo lessons. Since then, our morning rotations for Barns & Gardens, Work Projects, and Outdoor Living Skills for First and Big Lodgers have resumed, and Senior Lodgers have started fresh in new apprenticeships.
Just over halfway through our summer, the days following Changeover provide beautiful opportunities to watch returning campers teach new IBers about the systems that keep camp life running smoothly. Cohesion between campers and staff of all ages and in all positions is growing by the hour as we practice skills, learn songs and do chores side-by-side each day.