The second session at Flying Cloud has seen plenty of fun and activity in the Clearing. After some orientation and a run of activity days, we had our first Honoring of the session (during which we gave Flying Cloud Words for the first time) and are heading out on trips tomorrow.
Though the first few days of the session were gray and rainy, we were soon getting into activities, with campers tanning hides, running down to Lake Ninevah to harvest blueberries, playing storytelling and acting games, and forming a band.
This band played an original song at our first Honoring of the session, where after 24 hours of reflection on Salt Ash Mountain, eight members of our community were appreciated and given Flying Cloud Words. These short poems are meant to remind each person of the best qualities the community sees in them, and to challenge them to strive to be their best selves.
The following words were given:
Michael
Warm springs flow from stone, seeking.
Below, the shaded pool shares life.
Oden
Gathered voices breathe coals to fire,
A hearth to carry far and wide.
Oakley
In the light of the sun the forest’s story is told.
In the light of your fire we dance.
Archer
Cairns guide the way through
Sunlit meadows on mountain high.
Sammy
Roots grasp the soil, reaching deep.
For the ferns to grow, there must be shade.
Theo
Song fills the trees, warblers
nest, an ode to life.
Julian
Spring melt pours down, surrounding
roots feed trees filling the sky
Scott
Forged in the fires of your own becoming,
You tenderly sow tomorrow’s harvest.
Tomorrow, campers are packing out to go on one of four trips: Raquette River, Breadloaf Wilderness, PKS, and Woodward Service.
That’s the news from the Clearing for now!