On the Camp Trail

Some of you signed up to Aislyn Meadow with hopes of hearing about camp life. Which somehow hasn't really happened yet. (The writing thereof, not the camp life. That part has been happening.) 

So here's a little ramble down the trail to camp. The camper's version, this time. 

Most mornings start at 6:30 for the campers. Chiefs wake them up, and somehow they're all up and at it within a few minutes (goals for me!). They make beds and clean their tents and get dressed and once everyone in their tent is ready to roll they meet at the ready logs on the deck. They all make their way to the PH tent to comb hair and then they gather on ready logs again to have devotions and make personal goals for the day. The day's plan (written by one of the campers) is read, followed by a group hug. And then they scramble around doing camp chores before heading for breakfast (raking trails, laying a fire for the evening, cleaning the bathrooms, sweeping the deck, etc). When all's said and done they hit the trail to chuck wagon. 

There's ready logs just outside that they have to be at 15 minutes before the meal, else they get to eat outside. One girl gets called in right away to set table and the rest come in when the cooks give the “food's ready” call. One of us chiefs stands by the door and shakes each girls hand to welcome them in. The chiefs dish up food for the girls (would you like a small, medium, or large?)and they all wait to start until chief says “let's enjoy”. 

Meal time is always thirty minutes, followed by formal discussion time. Us chiefs that aren't out with the group take turns leading it. It starts with whoever's leading saying “hoya hoya” and everyone says (or hollers, as the mood hits) “hoya hoya” back. We talk about what they've done before the meal and what their plans are for after the meal. Then we ask if anyone has something to bring to the group. Sometimes its a watercolor painting they've done or a mushroom they've carved. Sometimes its a baby snake taken captive from their woodpile or a moth that's been kept in their pocket. Or a good day plan they've written or a random story or a letter they've  gotten. Sometimes I bring a random presentation on anything that strikes our fancies that day. Sometimes we play a quick group game. And sometimes, its a tooth or a rock or a turtle shell (with or without the turtle). When we're all done talking, we sing a few songs before the campers head out to work. Except after lunch. Then they head to camp for a half hour siesta. 

Their work is whatever they've decided to put on their weekly plans. Chopping wood for winter, building a tool tent, having a slip and slide on tarps, showers, laundry, making ice cream, cleaning the tarps on cook tent, trip meeting to plan bus trip, to name a few. Saturday mornings they always do a bit of work on the chapel area. Tuesday evenings they have ed night while we have chief meeting, Wednesday evening is always vespers. So there's a few set things that have to be on plans. Anything put on plans has to be completed. So if we stop to talk over someone's feelings and it takes us two hours, we finish our work and have our meals two hours later. It can make for some late nights, but also some good memories.

One evening this last week, I cooked a dutch oven meal with the girls. (Their session theme this time is learning new cooking techniques. Quite sure I learned more than they did on this one.) Their day had gotten pretty late so we finished supper around 10:30. Which sounds exhausting but their spirits were high and the mood was beautiful. The cook tent was full of lanterns and everyone was singing “There, there, it's alright” at the top of their lungs. They know so much about some things.

Their evening routine is beautiful and peaceful. They sit at ready logs while the chiefs give them any meds they need. Then they go to tent to get clothes ready for night and the next day. When they're all ready, they meet at ready logs again for a group hug while they say a version of the serenity prayer together-"God, grant me the strength to change the things I can, accept the things I cannot change, and the wisdom to know the difference." Lanterns are lit if its dark already and they quietly take the trail to pow-wow.  A few logs to sit on around a small fire ring. The fire is lit, a song is sung, goals are discussed. Did we get the goals we set? The day plan for the next day is read. Everyone calls “Goodnight, love you,” and the fire is doused. And then the string of campers quietly walk back in the lantern light and scatter to their tents. The chiefs go around to tuck everyone in and give goodnight hugs and once everything's quiet they call “Hoya” and the day is officially done. For the campers at least.

And goodness this has gotten long. Maybe there'll be more to follow in another letter.

If you're looking an addition to your prayer list though, we take all the prayers we can get here at The Brook Healing Waters Camp:)

Thanks for being here.

xx

tiana lee.