4-H camp was something that I always looked forward to as a child. There were so many parts of camp that were just delicious. Leather crafts, canoeing, and swimming. Meals so good, plates were emptied in minutes. Camp counselors that were golden goddesses to us kids. A nurse that took gentle care with the smallest injuries. Campfires in which everyone glowed by firelight, as skillful camp leaders told stories that were just scary enough to give the group goosebumps.
Skits and jokes kept us all laughing. If letters arrived, the addressee had to perform a silly stunt before they could open them, sometimes expected to read them out loud. Laughter was a great part of camp. As new friendships blossomed, old friends enjoyed fun filled days. When lights went out, campers quickly fell into deep sleep, exhausted from the activities of the day. We grew in independence, resilience, and confidence as camp days expired, one by one.
Although I never saw a sign of any bears, our annual camp was held at a place called Bear Skin Meadow. Raised platforms held neat rows of metal bunks under a starlit sky, and for a few days each summer, life was magical in the high Sierra Nevada Mountains. Boys on one side of the camp, girls on the other, with camp buildings in the middle. Childhood wasn’t about gender identity, it was about age appropriate activities and making friendships that would last a lifetime.
My girlfriends Betty, Jackie, Linda, Sandy, Karen, and Susan were all there. The backdrop of the forest made us into new versions of ourselves. We grew in many ways during that week while trying new things. For some kids, it was a first try steering a small canoe on a big lake. For others, the terror of being away from home for the first time hit hard. But, for all of us, that magical week each year was an inspiring platform for growth. You couldn’t go through a week of camp and return home unchanged. Impossible.
This summer, I want to create the aura of summer camp, grown-up style. I’m pretty sure I’ll be safe from bears in the confines of Winterpast, however, I might be grossed out by an occasional lawn-eating toad. I want to lay outside in the night breezes falling asleep under the beauty of the night sky. Perhaps I’ll be serenaded with a whinny from a passing mustang, as he clip-pity-clops along. With the fire roaring, Ace and I will exchange campfire stories that help us to know each other better. There are probably a few camp songs we can sing for old time’s sake. With golden marshmallows melting chocolate between graham crackers in tasty Smore’s, the total camp experience will be achieved.
Sometimes, the importance of play is forgotten. The sheer enjoyment of breathing fresh air without a mask is now treasured. Looking up to the stars to identify constellations or see the first satellite of the night is satisfying. To dream little dreams of whimsy that came so easy as a child can happen again, if the brain quiets and we listen to our inner self. Those experiences create the perfect environment for creativity and inspiration to thrive.
Summer camp for me will include learning a new skill and practicing an old one. It will include crafts, friends, and acting. A disciplined bed time will assure that I awake at the crack of dawn to a hearty breakfast and some physical activity. Keeping the bunkhouse clean, I plan to tend to Winterpast’s gardens, so that she continues to look her best. It will include daily adventure walks to the mail box, hoping for mail from loved ones. At days end, stories shall be shared around the campfire with friends, even if it’s only Oliver and me.
The neighbors will probably wonder what the heck the Widow Hurt is doing in her back yard. That’s okay. They already know I’m a little different than the others. Who knows? With a little effort, maybe the neighborhood will join in with my Summer Camp Week!
May is almost over and the time for camp and dreams is now. Try leaving the rest of the world behind for an evening and find your own wilderness. Don’t forget the sunscreen and mosquito repellant. I hear the fish are biting and the water’s fine. Happy camping!!