At Tamarack Farm, a Sunday morning means a switch from the normal routine. Campers and staff sleep in, eat a buffet breakfast and then gather together at mid-morning for a longer Silent Meeting. Cabin counselors conduct individual check-ins with campers during “mentorship,” and much of the afternoon consists of rest and relaxation. After dinner, the whole camp gathers together for “Postum House,” the weekly open mic performance, where members of the community can perform anything from songs, to poetry, to skits.
The sun is brilliant this morning and the sky contains only a few gentle clouds. Campers and staff mingle together on the front porch of the farmhouse and lawn. Some sit and chat, some play badminton, others gather around the giant wood block jenga game, already a popularity past-time here at TF. We’ve only been together a few days, but already there’s a whiff of familiarity in the air.
The first few days have revolved around camper orientation and get-to-know-you activities with a lot of silliness and laughter speckled in between. On the first night, campers gathered together in groups to perform orientation skits such as “how to use a kybo,” “what’s Silent Meeting” or “how the bells work.” Even in those first moments together, one could sense a supportive, inclusive atmosphere among the community. Over the course of the next two days, campers had a chance to take their swim test, tour the gardens, the farmhouse, the tool shed, the health center, and the kitchen among other areas of camp. They signed up for the work projects that they will start Monday as well as their first afternoon of activities with options including profile drawing, kybo decorating, letter writing, and Frisbee.
On Friday night, we had a cabin evening where campers and counselors spent time with their cabin groups. Several groups built fires and roasted s’mores, others used it as an opportunity to explore a new part of Farm & Wilderness property. Campers and counselors reflected on this evening as a neat opportunity to get to know each other better and set intentions for their summers.
Saturday was Garden Day where the entire camp spent the morning in the garden weeding the herb, lettuce, and flower beds as well as moving rocks and harvesting strawberries. Conversation flowed naturally and the work ethic remained strong despite the sun quickly heating up the morning. A break for lemonade was greatly appreciated and many campers took the opportunity to jump in the reservoir. That evening, staff introduced Tamarack Farm’s social justice work with discussion on what social justice has meant to them. This was followed by two all-camp activities, which centered around exploring cultural differences. As with each of the times we have gathered together to do activities, a general sense of enthusiasm spread through the group.
On Monday morning, we begin again our normal routine of waking at 6:30 a.m. for chores (except for those on barn chores who wake up earlier to be at the barn by 6 a.m.). Campers and staff tackle even these morning chores with enthusiasm; many see them as an opportunity to get to know each other better and give back to the community. Everyone has learned something new, from how to milk our antsy cow “Strawberry,” feed our 800-pound pig “Halifax,” or work our industrial dishwasher, “the Hobart.” There’s a certain feeling of excitement, a buzz of anticipation among the community, a sense that the summer is young and full of exploration to come.
Guest blog written by Erica Seltzer-Shultz, TF Staff