“All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go…” sang Tamarack Farm teens the morning before their overnight trips. (A teen says to another one, I don’t know this song.) The energy is warm, friendly and feels like a community is already forming. At lunch yesterday the Timberlake Bears shared about the fires they practiced building, the ratings, and skills that they were working toward this summer and an overall interest in rocks and ropes. “We came up with a new sandwich idea, a pickle wrapped in a slice of ham,” they said. For a room of over 100+ young people and staff, there was a peaceful feeling among the happy, chatty campers and staff.
Barn Day Campers wrap up the first session this afternoon, with a silent meeting that parents join and sing. Day camp staff are sleeping well after running, playing and leading 4-10 year-olds in this glorious Vermont weather. I love watching our youngest campers pounding nails in wood, with the creations they build, and the love with which they pat the goat, Esther.
The start of summer 2019 has been a sensory treat, from the sounds of bullfrogs and the loons on Woodward to the glistening of sun on Lake Ninevah at Saltash Mountain, to the smell of pine and evergreen up at Red Spruce Grove, the smoky smell that chases away bugs at Flying Cloud, to the delicious food at Timberlake, Indian Brook and Tamarack Farm. Our camp directors and summer staff are so excited to begin making the magic for campers and teens and to put into practice all of the skills they’ve honed the first 2-3 weeks since they arrived. We look forward to seeing folks who pick up for the first session, those arriving for second in 3 weeks, and anyone who misses the excitement to relive it at Fair. Happy summer!