Greetings Blog Readers!
Campers left Flying Cloud almost two weeks ago and the staff members just at the end of last week. The tipis are swept and rolled, the crafts and tools stored for winter, and the food shelter all packed up. It’s always a wild sight to watch the physical skeleton of our village in the woods become a clearing with the ever fading signs of our fleeting experience. Before that all happened, we had one crazy last week of Flying Cloud Summer 2012.
After the fourth Naming Ceremony, there was almost no time to breathe. Unbeknownst to the campers, a new ceremony was coming to Flying Cloud. The day following the Naming started as any other post naming day would. Except on this day our senior campers that were here for their last summer were preparing to depart on an experience designed to not only test their skills but also to help them understand how Flying Cloud does not have to end at 14 or 15. Flying Cloud can and should be carried forward. We challenge ourselves through our names and actions to be the best expression of ourselves we are capable of being. Bringing that energy to the world away from Flying Cloud is an opportunity that can not be unmet.
And this is how Earthwalk began. This is a two day, group based, survival challenge. We had almost 20 campers participate. They divided into four groups, each responsible for providing different necessities to the entire Earthwalk community. Those four necessities are Shelter, Water, Fire, and Food. The campers were challenged to bring as little as possible with them. Most opted for a single set of clothing, their knife, and, of course, their Flying Cloud blanket. They built debris shelters to protect against the elements; made fire by bow-drill to warm themselves and cook their food; collected water from a fresh ground spring in handmade birch bark containers; and collected wild edibles to supplement the meager rations they had brought with them. As with all ceremonies, this group questing experience was a book end to the powerful moments of sending-off and welcoming campers.
All of the Earthwalkers returned standing taller than ever and could not stop talking about the experience. If you have a 14 or 15 year old camper, I suggest asking them a bit about the experience. They may shy away as we encourage them to keep the experience mysterious for those campers who haven’t been, but for a parent or family member they can absolutely tell you all about it. Earthwalk filled a gap we have had in our program for a long time and we are so excited to see the impact that such a powerful, yet challenging, experience can have on our whole community. You can expect that Earthwalk will continue to grow as a key component of our program.
Beyond Earthwalk, there was only three days left. We closed out the summer in the usual way. A big banquet on Friday night (the best burger bar I have ever been to!), the Farm & Wilderness Fair on Saturday, followed by Friendship Fire on Saturday night. At the end of every summer, the next camper leaders are chose at Friendship Fire. So please join me in congratulating the camper leaders for 2013!
Drumkeeper – Mink Brother (July Session) and Snowmelt Sage (August Session)
Spiritkeeper – Stone Meadow
Firekeeper – Sun Shower Hawk
Speaker – Wolf Echo
I am so proud of all of these young men -what excellent choices for these positions. I would also like to thank the 2012 camper leaders for the incredible work they put forward during the summer.
Well, it sure was a great summer. The weather cooperated, the staff brought some incredible programming, and the campers threw themselves headlong into the experience. You can’t ask for much more! Thank you to all the families, campers, staff members, and anyone who helps to make our summer possible. I feel comfortable speaking on behalf of all of Flying Cloud that we could not begin to thank everyone enough for making our summer a reality year after year. As usual, if you ever have any questions at all please don’t hesitate to contact me at Zach@farmandwilderness.org. I look forward to seeing folks at the work weekends, reunions, and potlucks throughout the year.
Safe travels and wild adventures!
~FF~