Erik Erikson: Life doesn’t make any sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that, the better for us all.
We celebrated Interdependence Day recently, with most camps singing songs that reflected how interconnected we are as a community. SAM Camp’s skit entertained us with a tale about zombies working together to protect all the camps hit by a zombie virus. Tamarack Farmers were so moved by the shooting deaths in Louisiana, Minnesota and Texas that they changed their song choice on the day of the performance to highlight those tragedies. The refrain, “We ain’t gonna stop till people are free; We ain’t gonna stop till people are free”, rang out as our whole community joined in together. Please see some of the images from Interdependence Day here.
After a long period of silence, the camp groups departed for the “soccer bowl” and the start of our contra dance. With hundreds of hands paired, it was hard to imagine how the rest of our country was coping with the unrest and search for justice and peace. Our conversations on race and privilege with staff and campers seem but a ripple in a greater pond that is churning.
Farm & Wilderness has encouraged and supported these tough conversations since our beginning. In upholding our mission “to grow seeds of courage and integrity in all participants,” we take advantage of these teachable moments. We encourage campers to advocate, share their perspectives, and be present and ready to listen to other ideas and viewpoints. Our campers are very expressive and thoughtful, while caring deeply about their world and others.
In another aspect of F&W’s interconnectedness, our Camper Council gives campers an opportunity to learn how each F&W camp operates, appreciate the differences and similarities, and then share those reflections with their peers. We recently had our first meeting and the campers shared ideas and feedback that will guide our conversations this fall. By way of background, this Camper Council consists of two full-summer campers representing each of F&W’s overnight camps. On Aug. 12, the Tamarack Farmers will report on the essence of the discussions to our Board of Trustees.
The sense of community and connection carries beyond our hillsides in the Plymouth Valley. As your campers head home, we hope these conversations will continue and broaden.
To that end, we seek to provide resources to support your camper’s inquiry. Please consider visiting our resource list and additional suggestions found by Polly Williams, Barn Day Camp Director, and Dr. Liza Talusan, an F&W consultant and educator.
We look forward to seeing you in person this summer at pick up, drop off, Fair Weekend on August 12-13, or at a local F&W event that shares the spirit and sense of interdependence.
In peace,
Rebecca Geary
F&W Executive Director
