The past week at Indian Brook has been one of completing projects, affirming others’ contributions to the community, eating offerings from our garden and participating in celebrated traditions.
In addition to our normal daily activities, campers and staff were busy preparing for our annual Fair Day. All members of the F&W community – including all summer campers, staff, visitors, parents, friends, and neighbors – work together to create an incredible celebration of our summer, which takes place on the final day of the camp season. At Fair, each camp offers goods and services to each other and to our visitors. The profits from the event all go towards our Campership fund, which allows future campers to enjoy all of F&W’s summer programs regardless of their financial status. Indian Brook sold treats including camper-dipped chocolate covered strawberries, homemade ginger beer, our highly beloved connegburts (hollowed-out egg shells filled with confetti for mischief making) and 50 delicious pies cooked in our very own kitchen! I enjoyed meeting some of our camper’s parents face-to-face and watching people roam around to enjoy the home-made rides, concessions and time with dear friends.
After Saturday’s festivities, our campers returned to IB and spent their last night together in a moon and candle-lit Silent Meeting. Everyone shared memories with their friends, talked about how much they learned at camp, and verbally appreciated one another. It was amazing to hear everything that our campers will take with them from their experience this summer, and how valuable this place and these people are to them.
On Sunday, we marked the end of a tremendous summer here at Indian Brook. Sounds of guitars, ukuleles and voices filled the air as campers packed their belongings, gave final hugs to their friends, showed parents around their summertime home and, eventually, left F&W property.
We are thrilled and proud as we look back on two months filled with fun, learning, growth, and laughter. We’re incredibly thankful of all who made this experience what it was. I’ve learned so much this summer; and I’m already looking forward to next June!