As the summer light fades into evening at Indian Brook, and the solstice moon shines later in the night sky, another world comes alive — mice, bats, arachnids and more carry on their lives. As we slip into sleep, the call of the loons is a lullaby to resting ears.
The sounds of the nightlife at Indian Brook around us are a symphony, at times a great crescendo of energy and excitement, other times finding gentler, quieter moments, even silence at times in these days before campers arrive. The campers, too, will find their own silence, hearing these same bird calls late at night or early in the morning, in Silent Meeting, in their walk from cabins to breakfast, in the space that is created from unplugging from our modern world.
Indian Brook’s staff are eager to invite the kids to explore the natural environment and to swim in Woodward Reservoir. Our staff wants to share their newly earned skills from training — such as felling trees or identifying the songs of the birds around us. Let’s not forget to mention how we celebrate the songs of the IB community! So many talented, eager, and budding musicians are here, ready to share and to learn along with campers.
This summer will be a learning process as we all explore together how to live with 200 other people in community! Some of us are seasoned camp staff, doing this for as long as 20-40 years, while our junior counselors are new to this experience. There is value in this balance of teaching and learning alongside others- we grow from both. No matter how long the staff have been here, they are dedicated, creative, and responsible for carrying on the legacy that has existed for 75 years.
Here in rural Vermont, we welcome a beautiful array of people from all over – Sweden, England, Ireland, California, Colorado, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Massachusetts – the list is vast, and so are their talents. What they hold collectively, though, is a love of education, and together we are learning through trainings in social justice and conscious communication how to support the multifaceted development of young women. The staff have had ample time to reflect on themselves during this time, so that they are prepared to help campers discover a new facet of their identity in a judgement free and gender diverse environment. Here, kids have a place try new things away from the forces of peer pressures, advertisements and greater society that seek to define them. Here, they find another version of home, a place where it is safe to grow and expand.
We invite you to begin the crescendo of excitement for day one, as it simultaneously increases here at Indian Brook in anticipation of camper arrival!
Throughout the summer you will hear updates about: the Aquatics apprenticeship, how to become an O.W.L. (Outdoor Wilderness Living), farm-based service trips with Work Projects, and a history of 75 years cultivating experiences of children.
-Peace,
Megan Chamberlain, IB Director
