In my last blog post, I mentioned we would be finishing with a Council Fire. This cycle is the “All-camp reset”. We do a lot of celebrating and tone setting over these three days before the Big Lodge campers head out for their hikes.
Senior Lodge and First Lodge trips shared their skits about the trips. Some were rather short and to the point, while others meandered. My favorite was the skit about the White Mountains trips; it was an upbeat rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody” and most of the lyrics addressed their being surrounded by clouds. That’s what I love about skits – the ability of theater to turn a potential grumble into a bonding and memorable experience.
There were many beads given away that evening in appreciation. I love to see young people being celebrated for their qualities and having something they keep to remember that they are appreciated. We were all back together as a camp and it showed.
In response to camper requests, we organized a Timberlake Triathlon for the first day of this cycle. Not everyone did every part, but we had fun.
The first evening of these three days was Dream Big Night. First Lodgers decided what they wanted to do, and designed a T-shirt stencil based on that. Big Lodgers crafted boats of bark and wood, filled them with paper fears and set them alight like miniature, Viking funeral barges. Senior Lodgers wrote their hopes, dreams and what is holding them back on the same board. They then broke those boards to represent breaking through those barriers. It was a powerful evening. When campers asked over supper “what are we doing tonight?”, I tell them, “A creative activity, but where you provide the meaning – you can put yourself into the activity and transform it from entertainment into something much richer.”
I am proud of Timberlake for creating spaces for this, and for not always taking the easy, comfortable or familiar route. If we are in touch with nature, (both human and our surroundings), then this is what is required – to get a bit wet when it rains, so we can appreciate the sun when it shines. Most of all, to not wrap ourselves in distraction and comfort so we are unable or unwilling to look to the natural world and to the community for support.
At TL we learn skills for self-reliance, and this is especially true for candidates for our Pioneer and Voyager ratings. The Voyager rating is awarded for mastering a map and compass, for wild edibles identification, tarp set up and trip-leading skills. They need to create itineraries with every evacuation point thought through and include compass bearings.
The two Voyager candidates had their map and compass skills are tested by our “Get Lost/Get Unlost” hike. They are both First Lodgers and yet showed excellent decision making when working with the Senior Lodgers. The group got two peaks confused, but remain undaunted and will try again. The lesson is that not succeeding the first time is OK, and only increased the merit of meeting this challenge, which I know they will.
The Pioneer candidates will soon be preparing their debris shelters for a 24-hour solo in the woods. Just as with the “Get Lost” hike, there is a staff member shadowing the group, but they allow the campers to have the experience to themselves and are there only as a safety net.
Our second day and night of this cycle was the “Timberlake Mini-Fair” held in the honor of the A1 campers departing the next day. We showed our staff the YouTube clip of “Cain’s Arcade” for inspiration (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faIFNkdq96U), but the campers brought their imaginative A-game and truly splendid Fair rides in 90-minutes of time. Hawthorn cabin even created three! These ranged from jousting, to makeshift basketball and skee-ball to a cardboard foosball table (Foxes Fifa).
Be well,
Tulio