After returning from cabin trips, the air in camp brightened with new friendship and tales of a fun-filled three days on the trail. We capped off the first evening back with skits detailing the struggles and successes of each cabin along their journey. During the debrief of the trips, many campers reflected on things they observed, in nature and within their groups, during their trips. The stars, blue leaches, Silent Meeting on top of Gork Mountain, and the sunset from Spruce Point were some of the highlights shared.
Identity Night
We were lucky enough to devote an entire evening to learning about each other’s identities and how each camper and staff member shares experiences. We played human bingo; learning facts about each other, such as if someone had siblings, had been on TV, spoke a second language, or were left-handed. This led into a more reflective activity where members of the community shared “I statements” about themselves and their life experiences, and others could choose to share if they identified with statements shared by their peers. This activity has continued throughout the past week — with an open and accepting line of communication between campers, and staff as well.
Day Trip
For our Day Trip this session, the entire camp traveled to Woodstock, VT, to share some of our favorite SAM camp songs with Merten’s house, a nursing home. The campers were able to take the time to visit with some of the elderly folks living there, as well as the staff. (please visit the SAM gallery in Smugmug). The day was completed with lunch at a Bridgewater park and a lengthy swim at Buttermilk falls!
Skit Prep
One of the biggest projects and challenges taken on by SAM camp every session is the creation and performance of a 15-minute skit. This year’s Interdependence Day skit was The Goblet of Farm & Wilderness (modeled after Harry Potter). We had characters such as Sawdust Kybodore, Furr-mione Granger and the like. They smarted their way through the Chamber of Sesame Sticks, milked dragons, sang to sleep the three-headed mosquito and rounded out in a Quaker tie!
The camp broke into task groups with some campers working on creating the script, writing the songs (did I mention this was a musical skit?), or constructing a myriad of props. We learned and practiced our parts over the chorus of rain, and each individual brought their own unique flavor to their roles. Be on the lookout for a video of this spectacle!
Interdependence Day
After a couple of skit run-throughs, including our first and only dress rehearsal, we took to the trail and headed down to Indian Brook from the top of “Never-ending-hill” in Plymouth. We were warmly welcomed by the IB community, who graciously allowed us use of their waterfront for the afternoon. An early dinner led our full bellies into a mile-long parade down to the fair grounds at the Barn Day Camp. We sang the whole way….the WHOLE way, dancing and shouting and running our voices until they broke.
The skit went off without a hitch, and was met with lots of laughs from the rest of the Farm & Wilderness community! We then had the pleasure of watching performances put on by each of the other F&W camps! This was followed by a sweet treat, a big contra dance in the field, and the lighting of the fire by two SAM campers (along with representatives from other camps).
Long Trip Pack Out/ Send off!
Just as soon as you can say “pack-in”, it’s time to PACK OUT here at SAM! After a morning recovery from our skit celebration, we began preparing for Long Trips. Trip participant lists were creatively revealed and groups were able to join together for the first time. The next day and half was spent rotating through the various stages of pack-out, much like we did before cabin trips. By now, everyone was oriented to the process and things went swimmingly!
This morning we sent off five eager trips for a six-day, five night adventure! There is a trip hiking and canoeing in Flagstaff, Maine; a group hiking and climbing in the Adirondacks; a group hiking Zealand in the White Mountains of New Hampshire; a group hiking Mansfield, the tallest mountain in Vermont; and a final group canoeing in Maine. A goodbye was waved to all, smiling and perhaps a bit nervous, as they went off to make some summertime memories!
– Kelly Davis, SAM Program Director