A summary of my summer job:

A taste of Camp Fowler

My apologies in not writing in so long. What can I say, camp life becomes very consuming. But a good consumption. I believe my last posting was about Camp Fowler's "Trail Mix" week. It was a week full of high energy and games.

The week that followed was Horizons, a middle school week. It was quite a change from the younger kids. These middle school kids are at a point where they are losing track of their "pretend" and "playfulness" and trying harder to impress their audience. It was our job to make sure they did not grow up too fast, that they still allowed themselves to play.

The week following Horizons was Una Tierra. Una Tierra is all age group week, from 3rd grade all the way up to 12th. The kids are organized into different activities that suit their age group. But it is a week that provides parents with the option to send their kids to camp at the same time. Or, perhaps, there are intellectually disabled campers, this week better suits them to what age they are at mentally and physically. It was a fabulous week.

Following Una Tierra, I was finally able to hit up the woods again. I was the leader for a middle school "Paths & Paddles" trip (meaning half the week is canoeing and the other half is hiking). Originally, there were supposed to be two trips going out. However, as it has been, Wilderness has been low in numbers. So, we had one group of five kids. Rather, one group of five BOYS. 

Matty and I started the week with them at Raquette Lake, paddling. We quickly learned that these boys were not the best of listeners. Time and again we had to remind them to keep their shoes on at the camp sites (camp policy, due to possible glass, sharp objects, etc.). Constantly, there was a reminder not to climb on the lean-to roofs. They also had an un-usual amount of whining during the different portions. It was very odd to me. And, to go with that, we had to teach them quite a bit in the "manners" department. Things like "Give me that!", "That's mine!", "Get off!", etc., were the angry shouts back and forth to each other, with a mix of swearing that needed fixing. It seemed as though some of the kids just never learned some of the basic manner/courtesy things that you would at home. They got much, much better throughout the week. But I felt that I had to be the Mother figure all week. It was hard to find a balance between being a mother and having camp counselor fun. 

On top of all of that, I was the only girl. Wednesday night, we got to our lean-to and saw that it was filled with packs. Then the lean-to was surrounded by about 12 different tents. Come to find out that there were 12 boy scouts staying there (each with a two or three man tent to themselves). They burned their trash, they weren't eco-friendly---they basically tore down everything we were building up (share the lean-to, speak kindly, take out what you carry in). All I was thinking was, "man, I can't wait for a snuggle party with all the girls when I get back." Two nights later, we got to out lean-to, set up, and then six grown men showed up. So, since we carried tents anyway (and they had none) we gave them the lean-to and shared the overall site. 

Needless-to-say, I was very, VERY happy to see that I was not the only woman left in the world upon my return to camp. 

It was a great learning week. 

What can I say? A week of 75 3rd and 4th graders. Although I am not paddling on Long Lake, I find this to be a wonderful alternative!

This is what I do all summer! Spread the word to kids you know!

 I sit here in the Camp Fowler office, thinking back over the Muskegon trip. Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to lead a Paths and Paddles trip with my dear Muskegon friends from back home. More specifically, the kids from my home church (Covenant Community Church) youth group came out for a week on the trail. Their adventure started in the early morning hours. The drove 12 hours to arrive here in Speculator, NY. As soon as they arrived, my mother, Kaela, and Ashley went off to talk to Ian (Day-camp coordinator) about what they would be doing for the week. The boys, Bob (extra leader from Covenant), Jacob, Zach, Dakota, and Keaton, all headed with me to the outpost (gear/leanto location on camp) with Colin (my co-leader) and myself. We gave them the gear they would need for the week (mainly backpacks, among other gear) and cooked our first trail dinner--Burritos.

After dinner, they were all a bit surprised as to how we clean our dishes while hiking. That is to say, they thought I was joking when I talked about duff (we clean any extra food bits out with dried leaves and stuff (duff) on the ground (You might say it is "dirty" but in reality, it is the most efficient/least wasteful way to clean on the trail).

The next morning we headed to Indian Lake to begin our paddling portion of the week. It was a bit of a struggle for some, as they did not know how to steer a canoe. Slowly, but surely, they got the hang of it. Our journey for the day ended at Dug Mountain Falls.

Day two began our journey to Baldface Mountain. They guys were troopers. The day was beautiful. And the sight at the end, one of my favorites.

Day 3 was the turn over day. We ended our paddle at a former staff member's camp. We pulled out our boats, camp picked us up, and we were dropped off at Chimney Mountain trailhead. The first day of hiking proved to be much harder than any of the guys anticipated. It was mostly an uphill hike the entire time. Once again, it was beautiful weather, but the journey provided a very different experience that none of them had really experienced. Needless to say, they were over joyed to reach our lean-to for the night.

Day 4, Thursday, was a longer hike--between 9 and 10 miles. The question "will it be flat" was often asked. The response was often, "Yes, it will be Adirondack flat,"--meaning frequent inclines and declines. By the end of the day we reached Sacandaga lean-to. It overlooks the Sacandaga River.

Friday morning, before hiking out, we hiked to the Siamese Ponds (without packs). 

Finally, after a visit to the ponds, we hiked out to out pick-up at the start of the 11th Mountain Trailhead. The boys looked forward to their first shower in a week, we ate pizza, and we caught up with Ashley, Kaela, and Lady Bush (aka, the Reverend Mother, aka, my mother). 

Life is good. Thank you to the Covenant Family who made this possible!

This past week has brought a world of change. The past week is what we call "Week 10" at Camp Fowler. It is the first week in which we work with kids. Many of us travel to different day camps around New York. There are hardly any staff back at camp (this is the only week of this summer with this many day camps). Originally, I was not scheduled to do a day camp. However, things change. I was placed on arts at Brighton day camp in Rochester, New York. I am an outcamp staff member, so this art staff for the week thing comes as a little foreign to me. You might say "huh, she has a degree in art, that should be fine." Let me tell you ladies and gentlemen, working with 2nd-7th graders on art/crafts is a completely different ball game.

Day one, as I have been trying to explain to people, was like trying to land an airplane for the first time. You know what you are supposed to do, but it is going to be rough and you make it through the first day. Every day has gotten progressively better. The kids have had a fun week, and so have week. It has been a great learning experience over all. I think my biggest highlight of the week thus far (we still have tomorrow left) would be playing basketball with Isabelle. It is quite an understatement to call Isabelle "shy." She does not participate in many of the activities, especially the physical games. She rarely talks either. However, I have progressively gained her trust this week, so much so that she starts her own conversations with me. And today, finally, I asked (expecting a "no, thanks") asked if she would like to shoot hoops with me. She accepted. And the crappy basketball player that I am, I taught her how to hold the ball and, to the best of her excitement, do a lay-up. In that small time frame alone, I found the greatest joy that I experienced all week.

So Camp Fowler Staff Training commences! Colin and I arrived to this wonderful place in Speculator last Wednesday, the 6th. Thursday evening we drove to Boston to visit some former Fowler staff members and friends. Basically, we played music and enjoyed life.

Saturday, Colin and I returned to camp, which now holds many new and returning faces. The last few days, the newbies and some of the oldies have been reclaiming their red cross certifications--which includes different practice scenarios performed by other staff members. Some of the pictures you will find below (note: all blood/gore is FAKE).

After everything was re-certified, we all went to our separate program areas (arts, outcamp, recreation, waterfront, office, etc) to work on everything that needed to be prepared for the summer. As an outcamp staffer, we cleaned up our outpost area, fixed up our wilderness area, etc.

In the midst of staff training we had a group of Muslims staying at camp, in Chi Rho lodge. They have been coming for about 13 years now. Each year they extend a welcome to participate in prayers with them. I was invited last year and failed to go. However, I made it this year. It was a very moving experience. There were several men and several women on staff who went, myself included. Then men could basically go as they were, long sleeves and long pants. We women had to wear long clothing also, as well as a head cover...something to at least cover our hair. When we got there we women also had to be seated behind the men. As the daughter of my mother, a strong feminist, I struggled a bit with this at first. But I quickly participated in their practices of respect.

The prayers were spoken by one man, Moktar, with small inputs by everyone. There were also different physical movements, such as rising or bowing. It was confusing at first. But, again, I quickly learned. After about 45 minutes to an hour, we all sat down for Moktar's lesson. Moktar has a beautiful, soft, and peaceful voice. He started his lesson off with angels. He spoke of the angels coming and surrounding us. Protecting us. Loving us. He spoke of peace and love. Me, raised as a Christian, in the midst of our country and culture, and finding myself in a Muslim congregation, I felt tears stream down my face. These were some of the kindest, most gentle people I have yet met. I wish that everyone could have heard him speak. He spoke, later, about things like, "unplugging our cell phones and plugging in our hearts," and, "if we were to cross the pastures of paradise, stop. Stop and graze."

The whole experience was very peaceful. I would encourage anyone to learn more about our Muslim brothers and sisters.

A few days ago now, the outcamp staff took off on their first overnight together. There are two men and three women; Steve, Matty, Samantha, Courtney, and myself. When we do this overnight, it is usually just a few miles out of a site that we drive to. We get to know each other a bit more in the trail sense, as we will be leading trips one on one with another at some point in the summer. We also talk about vespers, or lessons based off of the theme that we have. It was a wonderful 24 hours with my co-leaders. 

So now we fall on Thursday. We have just days, hours until everything must be set and ready. I leave for daycamp in Brighton, NY on Sunday. Life is good.

Canoe complete! Ready for a summer of adventure!

A second summer of Camp Fowler approaches. Personally, I look forward to spending my time among the trees and in the water, hiking, canoeing, sailing, and living. My summer in these Adirondack mountains last year provided to be the most adventurous summer I'd had to date. I look forward to a new summer and new adventures.

Currently, I am scheduled to lead another trip of inner-city Brooklyn girls, a group from my home church, Covenant Community Church, a two week canoe odyssey, another canoe/hiking trip, and a girls' sampler week (including hiking, paddling, and sailing). Aside from those trips, I will help with maintenance, recreation, lifeguarding and whatever else is needed around the campus of Fowler. My dear friend Colin and I will be heading out on the 6th to begin staff training that weekend.

I will also be bringing out my 7 month project of late: my cedar strip canoe, soon to be finished--soon to cruise the mountain lake of Sacandaga.