This summer at TF, we made a pretty big change in our trips: every camper went on a hiking trip. In the past, we’ve offered a mix of trips ranging from farm service to canoeing and hiking. This summer we’ve offered a few day trips that featured rock climbing, farm service, and canoeing; and during Trips Week we offered our campers a range of hiking experiences in Vermont with the intention of having every camper connect with wild places.
I had the opportunity of joining another TF staff person and six campers on an adventure to the northern most woods of Vermont. We hiked the last 34 (or so) miles of the Long Trail, which ends in Canada. Spending time in the wilderness was wonderfully rejuvenating (carrying everything you need, listening to the song of the hermit thrush, singing songs on the trail). I also love to see the growth that can happen through challenge. Our trail was not easy; several days we hiked more than eight hours slugging through deep mud up and down steep rocky peaks. Something beautiful emerges though, at the end of the days when we look back as a small group and reflect: “what did we do well today?”, “what can we improve on for tomorrow?”, “how did it feel to lead?”.
For me, the highlight was our last chat, by a fire cooking our last rice. We had time for each person to be affirmed and challenged by each member of our group. I was so proud of how they appreciated the Light in each other, and how they were mature enough to challenge each other in areas they saw room for improvement. We left the woods smelly, muddy, confident and more aware of ourselves.
After returning to camp, we found the other trips also had a wonderful time. I heard more “that was the best trip I’ve had since I’ve been at F&W!” than I’ve heard before.
— Amy Bowen, Tamarack Farm Director
