Greetings from Flying Cloud!
Every summer we hold four Flying Cloud Naming Ceremonies. Just the other night we had our first one. These ceremonies are designed around the idea of bringing together our community and celebrating the individuals. We have a big party, inviting the other camps to come and join us. There’s dinner, a game or two of a camp favorite, “Battle Blanket”, and a bit of dancing, too. As staff, we turned the event over to the campers; they build the fire and ran the ceremony. This was such a powerful example of what the young men who spend their summers with us are capable of doing.
So, down to the exciting stuff. What is a Flying Cloud name? A Flying Cloud name, at it’s most basic, is given to represent all of it’s bearer’s greatest quality, but it goes deeper. A Flying Cloud name is also given to challenge, to push that individual to be the best expression of themselves. This name is a constant reminder, an ever-giving gift, and to be called by a name that reminds you of your own unique characteristics and the journey ahead of you.
Without further ado, please join me in welcoming ten new Flying Cloud Brothers:
Cascade Cairn
Catamount Dusk
Tells the Rhyme
Blue Jay Brother
Hunter Greets the Dawn
Firelit Magic
Flint Holding
Sun Otter Smiles
and two of our new staff members:
Warren “Kindred Oak” Lee
Abene “Guardian’s Forge” French
We enjoyed an incredible night with a brilliant fire that kept us warm throughout the beautiful ceremony.
The next day, we hiked nine miles to the Woodward Camps for Interdependence Day. You can see some photos on Facebook at Interdependence Day Photos. We’re getting ready to leave on our overnight Trips now. Six different adventures will be departing from Flying Cloud to new places in the New England area. The next blog post will be filled with those exciting stories.
So stay tuned for more updates. There should be some pictures up in the next couple days of our lodge groups and various afternoon activities. We’ll also soon post some photos of our trips packing out their gear as they prepare to venture beyond our little village.
Be well,
~FF~