The first half of camp has been humming along!! This week I saw:
- An Outdoor Living Skill sensory activity at Timberlake (trying to use hearing to detect where other campers are, a quiet form of Marco Polo),
- Art at Tamarack Farm
- My favorite kybo at Saltash Mountain Camp
- Summer 2019 camper council representatives
- The Wilderness Community annual meeting
- Interdependence Day performances, dances, and bonfire were picture (and video) perfect, with a half-moon to light the night
- Nebula (the goat) in her goat glory during an Instagram takeover
- Matilda’s piglets are growing and love playing with their human friends
- My “hill legs” have almost arrived. Soon I will bike up the Timberlake driveway to Upper Lodge without stopping!
We’re gearing up for the end-of-session excitement, from banquets and special events to a record number of Indian Brook swimmers seeking to complete a grand circuit (swim of the circumference of Woodward, about 3 miles). As I write, I hear our youngest campers returning to the Barn Day Camp from their overnights, with one camper chanting, “Turtles, BDC” over and over. I am continually impressed by our staff who work hard to support campers in their shining moments, and in those times when campers struggle or are challenged.
As I look ahead, I know we will soon be seeing eager parents picking up their first session campers – and teary-eyed campers as they bid their F&W family farewell. We are prepared for the happy, and perhaps anxious, second session campers at our welcome event. I am confident we will continue making the magic and meeting campers where they are in this next session. I hope to see folks at pick-up and/or drop-off days, at our Fair weekend events, or when we visit some communities this fall. If I don’t see you in these green hills, I hope to see you soon!