One important lesson we try to teach here at Tamarack Farm is to take care of our space. Especially in a community setting, it is vital to respect the physical space we inhabit. We reap rewards from that as well. Last Saturday was our Farm Party. We harvested a bounty of vegetables ranging from arugula to zucchinis. Every meal was a feast overflowing with the love and hard work we have put into the garden over the summer. We bartered with songs and performances for items like salt that we cannot grow ourselves. Other than those spices, we focus entirely on a garden menu. Farm Party acts as a delicious reminder of the power of working together and cherishing the land on which we live.
Tomorrow night is another party, our banquet. We will celebrate the summer and all that we have accomplished. The winding down of camp is a sad time, and yet a crucial one. Learning to look back and appreciate all that we have shared together is an important step in leading a happy life. Honoring those we have journeyed with is an incredible feeling. Also, slipping on that party dress, dining with friends, and dancing under the stars one more time is a great way to spend an evening regardless of the event.
An often overlooked aspect of throwing these parties is the clean-up. Here, we teach that the clean up is just as important as the set up. This is part of taking care of our space and each other, as well as a powerful life lesson.
We are gearing up for Fair on Saturday; pies are baked, murals painted, and a farm stand constructed. At the same time, we are taking down the basketball hoop and the swing, cleaning the Dance Barn and Rec Lodge, and starting to stow materials away. A common theme is “How to Take TF Home With You.” Whether it’s a jar of dilly beans or “listening to understand instead of respond,” we all take things from this place and incorporate them into our lives outside this valley. One of our goals is teaching campers to live in many different worlds respectfully and happily. So, we showcase our skills at Fair while also seeking closure on an amazing summer. It is a hard balancing act, but one that we handle with grace.
The final point is a simple one. It is not over yet. Once we get into the mindset of counting the days left, it can be difficult to stop and realize that we have a couple days to go still. At Tamarack Farm, a day can be a lifetime of experiences. We must treasure this time and remember that this community does not end because the session does. We will take these relationships out into the world and, hopefully, make it a better, kinder, more fun place with our presence.
And, as mentioned, we still have shirts to silkscreen.