Week Four
Sunday, July 13th, 2008 at 4:22 pm (Weekly update)
In the last few days I feel like Flying Cloud has really come together. Friday night we had a wonderful conversation about what it means to be a man, followed by a Visiting Day with well-loved and wonderful guests. Though the experiences were very different, there was clearly a common thread.
We gathered for the evening to talk about maleness in a general way, and I was truly impressed as usual with the depth and complexity of our campers’ understanding of the issues involved. First we asked what it meant to be male. Next we asked “who’s one man you admire and why?” Finally we talked about what we like about ourselves as men here at FC, what it means to be in an all-male community and how we can carry home some of the things we like most about ourselves here. It was an evocative and inspiring discussion. The campers brought their best minds and brightest words, and we all expanded our awareness of what it means to be male.
The next day was Visiting day, and was filled with a very different sort of energy. We had nearly one hundred people up for lunch, tripling the size of our community for a few short hours. Thanks so much for everyone who brought delicious food for the potluck! The guys were certainly thrilled to eat so well, and we all really enjoyed welcoming friends and family into our daily life. We spent a little while talking about FC philosophy, doing chores, playing games and doing a few of the classic Flying Cloud activities. After a busy afternoon we had a tasty dinner including fresh FC bread, and then parents and families headed on down the road for the night. There were some very wonderful moments of community, and I was really proud to see how well our campers did representing the culture and the values of Flying Cloud to their families. Thanks again for joining us. Before I forget, if you got any great photos from the day that you want to share with others, please email them to me and we’ll post them up!
We’re down at Saltash Mountain Camp this evening for a Contra Dance, then tomorrow we’re off to Indian Brook to visit with them! It’s certainly a busy schedule, but we love it. If your son is leaving after first half, we’ll see you in just a couple of days– sometime between 9:00 and noon on Friday the 18th. If not, we’ll see you at Fair on August ninth!
As I said before, if your son wants to stay for the rest of the summer, please get in touch with me soon.
Nancy Costikyan Says:
July 15th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
We traveled up for visiting day; a total of 7 hours on the road and less than a week before we do it again to bring our twins home! I must say, the trip was well worth the Yeti-sized carbon footprint it left.
I was moved to see the eloquence of these young men as they articulated the FC philosophy. I was relieved to see that my sons’ teeth were not green, black, or falling out of their heads. I was inspired by the lengthy conversation I had with Valley Zephyr that contextualized certain practices and shifts within the FC community. I was delighted that I came away without a single mosquito bite. I was–and am–grateful that my young men are thriving under the watchful eye of this vibrant community. Thanks to all of you up there in your wild, wacky and sacred space, full of boyish antics and manly lessons,living lightly on the earth…and having fun. See you at the Fair! Nancy
Nancy Costikyan Says:
July 15th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
If anyone is wondering, I came away from visiting day sans mosquito bites thanks to the new kid on the block called “Picaridin”. It is an equally effective alternative to DEET, but less toxic. It has been recommended by the World Health Organization as the best protection against Malaria. As a DEET-Phobe, I was pleased to see what the EAP says about it. Check it out at http://www.epa.gov/opprd001/factsheets/picaridin.pdf).
Connie Moore Says:
July 16th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Thanks for the weekly update. I check it weekly. My daughter and I surely enjoyed Paren’ts Day. I appreciate everything you do for my son Guy and hope that the next four weeks will be positive for him and that his contributions to the camp will be memorable.
Connie Moore
Jenny Knight Says:
July 16th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Thanks for being such great hosts for visiting day. It is always a pleasure to join in the circle in the clearing and feel a part of the Farm and Wilderness family for even a few hours. I know it meant a lot to my son (EMS) to introduce us to his FC brothers and counselors and make the connection between home and camp. We loved going on the walk to magic springs and seeing the compass in the woods and learning that Stubby George, of KYBO fame, is actually a real live person. Many blessings to all.