What a difference a week makes! The musical and poetic harmony of Indian Brook and Red Spruce Grove Interdependence Day performance still resonates with me:
“But no one knows me, no one ever will
if I don’t say something, if I just lie still
Would I be that monster, scare them all away
If I let them hear what I have to say”
And the chorus, “I can’t keep quiet” was especially powerful. At camp we encourage our youth to be heard, to not be quiet, to share their perspectives and voices, to listen to each other, and in doing so we grow, build community and affirm the value of the individual (seeing the Light in each person).
Never was the process of sharing ideas and opinions better led than at this week’s Tamarack Farm town meeting (a weekly camper-led conversation of the entire TF community). Two topics were addressed, one that I had raised about exploring the possibility of teen representation on the F&W board of trustees, and another that intrigued me. This topic was a question brought forth about changing the way the town meeting group expresses yes, no, and standing aside in its decision making. The current practice is that silence at town meeting means “yes” or acceptance of a decision under consideration. The premise of the topic, which was effectively discussed at the meeting, is that if silence means yes, then that goes against the idea that silence should not mean consent. If stating no means no, and silence is “yes”, then it must be clear that silence is not consent, and to not put undue pressure on community members to speak out into silence when conflicting ideas are proposed.
Of related interest is F&W’s Quaker meeting practice of seeking a “sense of the meeting” when decisions are being discussed. As staff, we ask everyone to speak their mind. We then offer time and silence to process a potential outcome, and the facilitator states what they perceive the group is leaning towards, by asking if this is the sense of the meeting. Then clarifying or additional points are raised and discussed to ensure all voices are heard before a true sense of the group’s decision is articulated. The idea of not keeping quiet is central to this process.
This week especially, we hold the Flying Cloud community in the Light, honoring the voices and perspectives of the FC staff and campers in our decision to return to Flying Cloud after spending a week at Saltash Mountain Camp and Tamarack Farm after an incident with an intruder (see 7.7.17 blog). During this period, the Flying Cloud co-directors, Zach and Zac, and their staff have done amazing work in holding community, running programming, caring for and supporting campers and talking to parents about our plans. Today, Flying Cloud campers were crafting leather, sawing antlers for buttons and beads, and carving wood.
Our leadership team has not made this decision lightly, and we are confident in the steps we are taking to safeguard all campers and staff. The sheriff has advised us that the individual at issue here has not been seen in the area and has not been on their radar as violent, nor do they believe this person had the intent to hurt anyone in the moment. We are posting no trespassing signs along the perimeter of Flying Cloud’s property, including a large sign blocking the road; we are locking the gate at all times; the sheriff’s deputies will continue to patrol the area; and the directors have cell phone access in case of emergency. In addition, our staff’s constant vigilance and effective emergency response plan are designed to keep campers safe, as they have so far.
While Red Spruce Grove and Saltash Mountain Camp are located within a few miles of Flying Cloud, we don’t believe this isolated incident has any bearing on the security of these two communities. SAM is on a relatively busy public road and RSG has no road or parking and is secured by a locked gate. The county sheriffs will continue to patrol the roads for signs of vehicles near our camps that are not connected to F&W. I’m happy to talk to parents, as I have, who have questions about any of this.
On a lighter note, the much-awaited arrival of Nevada’s calf happened